6 Science Backed Benefits Of Cordyceps

What Are Cordyceps Made Of?

Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects. The remains of both insects and fungi have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to treat fatigue, boost immunity, cleanse and vaginal / prostate support. 

Health researchers have discovered over 400 species of Cordyceps, but have focused on just two. These are Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris. However, much of this research is limited to animal or lab studies and health researchers can’t draw conclusions about their effects on people. However, the potential effects of Cordyceps are promising and this article highlights 6 potential benefits, based on science. 

It May Boost Your Sports And Workout Performance

Cordyceps are thought to increase the body’s production of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential as it delivers energy to the muscles. Therefore, there is an increase in oxygen transferred, especially during exercise (Xu, 2016, Nagata, Tajima & Uchida, 2006). 

Researchers tested the effects of Cordyceps on the workout regime of 30 healthy older adults using a stationary bike. Participants received a dose of 3 grams per day of the synthetic strain of Cordyceps called CS-4 or a placebo pill for six weeks . At the end of the research VO2 max had increased by 7% in participants who had taken CS-4, while participants given the placebo pill showed no change (3). 

In another similar study, 20 healthy older adults received either 1 gram of CS-4 or a placebo pill for 12 weeks. Participants given CS-4 improved other measures of exercise performance (4). 

One study on younger adults tested the effect of Cordyceps on their exercise performance and found VO2 max had increased by 11% compared to the placebo (5). However, the current research suggests Cordyceps are not effective at improving exercise performance in trained athletes. 

Anti-Aging Properties

The elderly have traditionally used Cordyceps to reduce fatigue, increase strength and sex drive. Researchers believe their antioxidant content may explain their anti-aging potential.Numerous studies have found that Cordyceps increase antioxidants in aged mice, boosting memory and sexual function (6, 7, 8). 

Antioxidants are molecules that protect the body from cell damage by neutralizing free radicals, which can otherwise cause disease and aging (9,10,11). Other studies have found that mice and fruit flies that took Cordyceps extended their lives. 

Potential To Fight Tumors

Cordyceps’ potential to slow the growth of tumors has attracted the attention of numerous researchers in recent years. Cordyceps have been shown to inhibit the growth of many types of human cancer, including lung, colon, skin and liver cancers (12,13,14,15). 

Interestingly, research shows that Cordyceps reversed leukopenia - a condition in which the number of blood cells decreases, leading to a decrease in the body’s defenses and increasing the risk of infection. These results suggest Cordyceps may help reduce complications associated with certain types of cancer treatments.However, the above studies were performed in animals and test tubes, not humans. 

Cordyceps May Be Beneficial In Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Cordyceps contain a special type of sugar that may help treat diabetes. Diabetes is a disease in which the body either does not produce or respond to the hormone insulin, which transports the sugar glucose into your cells for energy. When your body does not produce enough insulin or responds well to it, glucose cannot enter the cells, so it stays in the blood and over time having too much glucose in the blood can cause serious health problems. So it is very important for people to make sure their blood sugar levels are closely monitored.  

In several studies in diabetic mice, Cordyceps have been shown to decrease blood sugar levels and might protect against kidney disease. As a matter of fact in a review of 22 studies including 1,746 people with chronic kidney disease, those who took Cordyceps supplements experienced improved kidney function (16). 

Heart Health May Benefit From Cordyceps Consumption

Research shows Cordyceps can have beneficial effects on heart health. Cordyceps are approved in China for the treatment of arrhythmia, where the heartbeat is irregular. An experiment on rats showed that Cordyceps significantly reduced heart injuries in rats with chronic kidney disease.  Scientists attributed these findings to the adenosine content of Cordyceps, which has heart-protective effects (17).  

Cordyceps may also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, as animal research has shown that Cordyceps decrease “bad” LDL cholesterol, which can raise your risk of heart disease. 

Has Anti Inflammatory Properties

Cordyceps have the potential for antiinflammatory properties. Too much inflammation can lead to diseases like heart disease and cancer. Research has shown that when human cells are exposed to Cordyceps, special proteins that increase inflammation in the body become suppressed. These potential effects lead researchers to believe that Cordyceps may serve as a useful anti-inflammatory supplement or drug (18,19,20,21). 

Additionally, Cordyceps have been shown to reduce inflammation in the airways of mice making them a potential therapy for asthma, but a quick comparison with commonly prescribed drugs considers Cordyceps less effective in providing relief.

Dosages

Due to limited research on humans, there is no consensus on dosages. The dosage most commonly used in human research is 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day and this amount has not been associated with side effects and has been found to have certain health benefits.

Side Effects And Your Health

No studies have yet examined the safety of Cordyceps on Humans, however a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests they are nontoxic. The Chinese government approved the production of the synthetic Cordyceps CS-4 for use in hospitals and recognizes it as a safe and natural drug.

Should I Use Cordyceps Or Not?

Cordyceps are well known in Traditional Chinese Medicine and have been used for a very long time as a response to a variety of health ailments. Though the fungi show promise in many areas, there’s little research on their effects in humans. Thus, more research is needed before holistic professionals can make any recommendations. 

Animal and lab studies suggest Cordyceps have the potential to support and strengthen heart health and fight inflammation, cancer, diabetes and aging. 

At present, there have been human studies on Cordyceps’ effects on exercise performance. The fungi have been found to potentially boost energy and oxygen use during a workout. If you choose to take Cordyceps supplements, make sure they’ve been tested by a certified third-party organization for quality.

Liability Disclaimer: This article, including tips, provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for expert medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. Herbalista assumes no responsibility for this information.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cordyceps-benefits