It’s a little misleading to call cordyceps a mushroom. While closely related to mushrooms, the Cordyceps species is actually a type of parasitic fungus. They thrive on insect larvae, replacing the tissue of the animal to sprout external stems while the creature remains alive.
In the wild, cordyceps look like something out of a science fiction movie; and in fact, the popular video game The Last of Us is premised on a mutant version of the fungus that uses humans as the host. However, this species has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, harvested from the corpses of insects.
Nowadays, scientists and medicinal mushroom manufacturers create cordyceps in laboratories – no animals are harmed in their making! The fungus is then harvested, ground down, and made into a powder or pill. But why would people want to use cordyceps mushroom capsules at all?
Here are just three potential benefits of cordyceps mushrooms.
Packed with Anti-Aging Antioxidants
Cordyceps was used traditionally to reduce fatigue and boost sex drive in older adults. There is some evidence to suggest that the antioxidants within cordyceps could contribute to their anti-aging properties.
Some studies, such as this one from 2009, have found that cordyceps can increase antioxidant levels in rodents. The result is an improvement in memory and sexual function. In this area, at least, studies have backed up traditional uses.
Other studies have discovered that animals given cordyceps live several months longer than those given a placebo; this includes mice and fruit flies.
Since the studies thus far have been carried out on animals, it’s unclear whether these anti-aging effects apply to humans.
Could Improve Exercise Performance
Of all the medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps is the one typically recommended to athletes. It could increase the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a molecule that delivers energy to working muscles. In turn, this improves the way the body uses oxygen during exercise.
This is one area where clinical trials have been performed on humans. One study gave twenty older adults 1g of a synthetic cordyceps strain called CS-4 or a placebo for 12 weeks. The group given CS-4 showed improvements in exercise performance compared to the placebo.
While the researchers in this study uncovered no improvement in VO2 max (a good measurement of fitness level), other studies have reported a change in VO2 max after using cordyceps. Results in this area are mixed.
For example, another study involved administering a mushroom blend to younger adults. The blend contained cordyceps, and participants took the extract for three weeks. By the end, the participants saw an 11% improvement in VO2 max, compared to a placebo.
While cordyceps has some potential in the arena of exercise, it should be noted that the research suggests no improvements in the exercise performance of professional athletes.
May Benefit Heart Health
Heart health is a serious concern in the contemporary western world. In the USA, approximately 647,000 Americans die from heart disease every year. It’s the leading cause of death, accounting for around one-quarter.
There is a school of thought that suggests cordyceps could be beneficial for heart health. In China, this fungus is approved for the treatment of arrhythmia, a condition that leads to an irregular heartbeat.
Some research has suggested that the adenosine content of cordyceps could have a beneficial effect on the heart. Adenosine is a compound that has heart-protective effects, which is why consuming this mushroom could help ward off heart disease and decrease the risk of heart failure.
Cordyceps may also decrease levels of triglycerides, a type of fat linked to the risk of heart disease. While this effect has been observed in mice, it’s unclear whether it works in humans.
Furthermore, cordyceps could have a positive impact on cholesterol. In animal studies, cordyceps have decreased levels of LDL cholesterol; LDL is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol.
Final Thoughts: How to Use Cordyceps for Best Results
Before taking cordyceps, it’s vital to do research on the compound and find out if it’s right for you. It’s worth noting that most of the purported benefits have only been studied in animal models, meaning that the positive effects are not guaranteed.
Best results are more likely when using a reputable product. While there are a few options for cordyceps supplements on the market now, they are not all made equal; seeking a high-quality item is essential. The cordyceps mushroom capsules from VidaCap are some of the most highly recommended on the market right now, as they come with lab reports to verify their quality. This makes them stand out in an unregulated market.
Currently, there is no recommendation for dosage, so always follow instructions printed on the label, and consult a physician if you have questions regarding pre-existing conditions and medications.
