Cordyceps Review for Athletes, Health and Immunity

This article focuses on the scientific review of cordyceps supplements. Cordyceps is a genus that includes more than 400 species of sac fungi. Two cordyceps species are commonly used for supplement purposes: C. sinensis and C. militaris.

Cordyceps has been used as a versatile medicine in regions of Asia for thousands of years. Its main traditional uses include increasing sexual appetite and improving sexual performance (vigor).

It was also used to strengthen the performance of the kidneys and liver, loosen phlegm to improve breathing, increase energy levels and act as a general immune booster. Known in China as dong chong xia cao, cordyceps were first noted in a Chinese medicine herbal text in 200 AD.

After millennia of use in traditional medicine, cordyceps became popular after the 1993 Stuttgart World Championships. During the Championships two Chinese athletes won the 500-, 3,000- and 10,000-meter runs and their coach attributed their success to cordyceps supplementation. [1]

Cordyceps Sinensis

Mushroom Supplement

Immunity

Stamina

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Shown to reduce fatigue & stress
• Anti-oxidant that stimulates the immune system
• Increases testosterone secretion & libido

Dosage:

Between 500 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Cordyceps Review

Cordyceps is used for a number of conditions and purposes, including the following:

• coughs, common cold, asthma, bronchitis and/or other respiratory disorders
• lung and skin cancer
• kidney disorders
• poor liver function
• nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)
• erectile dysfunction and/or infertility
• anemia
• heart arrhythmias and/or high cholesterol
• weak muscles, dizziness and/or ringing in the ears
• cachexia (wasting disease) and unwanted weight loss
• weak immune system
• improving athletic endurance and performance
• reducing premature aging and elongating life
• chronic fatigue and lack of stamina

Many of these uses are based on the historical or traditional use of cordyceps mushroom extracts in traditional Chinese medicine. In most cases, there is insufficient research available to rate the effectiveness of this supplement for medicinal use.

Scientific Review of Cordyceps

User reviews suggest that coryceps may improve energy levels and help to fight fatigue. However, there is insufficient evidence to support this claim.

The Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database notes that cordyceps is possibly ineffective in improving athletic performance. In studies, taking oral cordyceps supplements was not observed to affect the performance of competitive cyclists. In addition, cordyceps was not observed to improve exercise performance in otherwise healthy elderly participants. [3]

In general, more research is needed to verify the use of cordyceps for any particular therapeutic effect in humans. Studies on cordyceps have generally been limited to laboratory and animal trials and its effect on the human body remains scientifically unsubstantiated.

Cordyceps Review for the Immune System

Cordyceps is commonly used to improve the performance of the immune system. No human studies are available to substantiate this use.

In laboratory tests, cordyceps appears to stimulate immune system cells, but more research is needed to determine if this will happen in humans and what affect it will have on immune function.

Cordyceps Reviews on Kidney Functioning

Cordyceps militaris is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pyelonephritis (when a urinary tract infection is left untreated and enters the kidneys), chronic nephritis and generalized renal dysfunction.

Cordyceps has been investigated for its effect on kidney transplants and results indicate it may be able to support kidney function in these cases. [2] In animal trials, cordyceps has been observed to reduce kidney damage caused by drugs, such as cyclosporine A.

Cordyceps Review for Cancer

In laboratory study, Cordyceps militaris has been observed to limit proliferation and stimulate apoptosis (natural death) of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Apoptosis seemed to be caused by DNA fragmentation.

In addition, a peptide contained in cordyceps (called cordymin) is hypothesized to impede MCF-7 cancer cell proliferation. Tumor sizes have been decreased and other markers of cancer growth have been reduced with C. militaris supplementation.

In general, laboratory tests indicate cordyceps may possess anti-cancer, anti-metastatic, anti-leukemia, anti-proliferative and antioxidant properties, all of which are believed to effective at combating various cancer cell lines.

More research is necessary before it can be determined if these properties will have any effect in the human body.

Safety Review

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates cordyceps use as “Possibly Safe” when taken orally for short periods of time. Without additional clinical study it is difficult to establish the long-term safety or side effects of cordyceps supplementation.

According to cordyceps mushroom reviews online, reported side effects include nausea, dry mouth and/or diarrhea.

Cordyceps may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. In particular, it may interact with medications designed to treat diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease and/or immune system disorders.

Cordyceps militaris extracts should only be used in conjunction with these types of drugs if the prescribing physician clearly understands and agrees to the adjunct supplementation plan.

In all cases, speak with your doctor before taking cordyceps so they can review your medical history and help reduce your risk of possible side effects or interactions.

Cordyceps Militaris Dosing

There are no established parameters for optimal cordyceps supplementation. All published trials with human subjects have been based on doses ranging between 1,000 mg and 3,000 mg per day, but these studies have been of short duration and are not indicative of the optimal or safe dosage range.

Women who are nursing or pregnant should not use cordyceps supplements. Individuals scheduled for surgery should cease cordyceps supplementation at least two weeks prior to surgery because cordyceps may thin the blood.

If you have used cordyceps supplements, share your review below to let other users know about your experiences and results from taking this natural health product.

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