If you happen to are into Traditional Chinese Medicine, mushroom-based supplements, or natural sports performance enhancements, you’ve probably heard of Cordyceps. Cordyceps is a special complement that’s revered for its potential anti-aging and pro-vitality advantages.
Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts have turned to this unique half plant, half animal complement to enhance performance of their respective sport. Likewise, fitness enthusiasts are also touting cordyceps to be a useful complement for getting essentially the most out of their workouts in addition to overall health and well-being.
Since you’re reading this, you’re probably considering if cordyceps is true on your fitness journey. Before you begin consuming a complement, it’s at all times best to learn as much as you’ll be able to about it. In any case, it’s something you’re putting into your body!
With that, we’re here to inform you every thing it is advisable find out about Cordyceps and Cordyceps supplements. You’ll be able to consider this ‘The Beginner’s Guide to Cordyceps Supplements’.
We will likely be covering the next information:
- What’s cordyceps and where does it come from?
- Why is natural cordyceps sinensis so expensive?
- Various kinds of cordyceps and cordyceps in complement form.
- Science-based cordyceps advantages (with emphasis on sports and fitness).
- What, if any, are the unwanted effects of cordyceps?
- Who should take cordyceps?
- How much cordyceps it is advisable take.
WHAT IS CORDYCEPS?
Cordyceps Sinensis is a wild, rare and unique plant. It’s a fusion of caterpillar and fungus. This implies it is definitely half plant, half animal. It’s a true wonder of nature, also known as an exotic medicinal mushroom.
Cordyceps has been utilized in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine for a really very long time to assist improve sex drive and physical strength & fatigue, in addition to cure kidney disease and other illnesses.
In recent times, within the western world, studies are showing cordyceps has great potential for fitness performance as well. Not to say, it has immune, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-metastatic, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-aging, neuroprotective, and renoprotective effects.
Where is Cordyceps found?
There are over 400 species of Cordyceps. Essentially the most famous and helpful being cordyceps sinensis and cordyceps militaris. Cordycpes sinensis is found protruding from the corpse of dead caterpillars (ghost moths) in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan at altitudes above 4,500 meters within the Himalayan mountains. It is vitally scarce within the wild and it is vitally difficult to cultivate in a laboratory. Cordyceps militaris is a commercially cultivated species of cordyceps that’s grown in artificial environments. It is claimed to have even higher concentrations of medical compounds than its wild counterparts.
Resulting from the rarity of Cordyceps Sinesis, the overwhelming majority of the supplements in the marketplace are “synthetic” versions, similar to cordyceps militaris and one other strain called CS-4. Some claim that these supplements usually are not as effective as the unique, wild Chinese stain. Nevertheless, research shows that they’re just as helpful.
WHY IS CORDYCEPS SINENSIS SO EXPENSIVE?
This is a straightforward supply and demand answer. The demand for cordyceps sinensis is continually increasing and with the “mushroom” being so rare, the value keeps rising. Right away, cordyceps sinensis is about $9,000 per pound! This makes it one of the crucial expensive plants on the earth. Lucky for white truffle, cordyceps is definitely a hybrid plant-animal so its not taxonomically a mushroom, or else it could take the the primary spot for fungus/mushroom.
Luckily, we’ve got the lab-grown options which might be far more cost-effective.
IS CORDYCEPS POPULAR?
Unnecessary to say, if cordyceps wasn’t popular, cordyceps sinensis wouldn’t be price $9,000 per pound. All around the world, people pay big bucks to get their hands on this mysterious plant.
For further proof of its popularity across the globe, here is a few information on what the cordyceps market is valued at. In 2019, cordyceps sinensis and cordyceps supplements together had a market value of greater than $470 million1. Data suggests that with its compound annual growth rate of 10%, by 2026, market value will likely be over $1 billion.
Why is there such an enormous increase? Well, let’s have a look at the advantages of cordyceps for sports and fitness. Then we’ll discuss the general health advantages.
But first, we’d like to know the energetic compounds in cordyceps as they will likely be referred to when discussing the advantages to follow.
ACTIVE COMPOUNDS
Cordyceps sinensis, militaria and CS-4 have the next helpful chemical compounds – cordycepin, Adenosine, and Beta-glucans. In addition they have over a dozen other very helpful chemicals.
Note: Chinese studies confirmed cordyceps militaris has 29.4 and seven.7 times the quantity of cordycepin and adenosine, respectively, than cordyceps sinensis.
Cordyceps also incorporates the essential 18 amino acids, similar to Vitamins E, B1, B2, B12, K, macro-and microelements/minerals (K, Zn, Pi, Na, Ga, Ca, Ni, Sr, Ti, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Al, Si, Cr, V, and Zr), proteins, nucleosides (adenosine, uracil, and adenine), sterols (source of Vitamin D), polysaccharides, SOD (superoxide dismutase)2.
TOP 3 CORDYCEPS BENEFITS FOR FITNESS & SPORTS PERFORMANCE
Let’s start by discuss the advantages of cordyceps for healthy people trying to improve physical performance and their overall well-being.
1. Increases Energy & Fitness Levels (VO2 Max)
Cordyceps supplementation may improve tolerance to high intensity exercise, with greater advantages when consistently supplementing it.
It’s because cordyceps increases the body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (AT), which is important for transferring energy to muscles. With that, your body improves the way in which it uses oxygen during exercise, i.e. VO2 Max.
Besides boosting your energy capability and reducing fatigue during workouts or sports, increasing VO2 max will result in stronger bones and a healthier brain (and thus a reduced risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer disease).
A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial tested the consequences of exercise capability in 30 healthy adults using stationary bikes3. Those within the study took either 3 grams of CS-4 per day or a placebo pill over a 6-week period. At the top fo the study, V02 max increased by 7% within the participants who took CS-4, while no change occurred in those that received the placebo pills.
One other trial from 2017 showed a mushroom mix complement that contained cordyceps militaris helped to spice up cyclists time to exhaustion by 28 seconds, with a VO2 max increase of 11%4.
Nevertheless, a study by JACM didn’t show that cordyceps increases VO2 max, BUT participants who took the cordyceps supplements did gain 10.% of their metabolic threshold after 12 weeks. Metabolic threshold represents maximal intensity at which regular state exercise will be maintained.
Overall, there are more studies on the market that exhibit cordyceps ability to extend physical performance. So, it’s protected to say chronic supplementation of cordyceps could have a positive effect in your energy, cardiovascular system and overall fitness capability.
Related: Examples of High Intensity Exercises
2. Improves Sleep Cycles
The compound cordycepin present in cordyceps is claimed to extend non-rapid eye movement via adenosine receptors.
A study on rats showed that cordycepin reduced sleep-wake cycles, increased NREM sleep and decreased REM sleep5. It also increased the rats total sleep time. This is clearly ideal for the recovery side of fitness.
Some people say cordyceps can be effective for treating insomnia (although not the most effective option on the market).
It ought to be noted, with importance, that cordyceps shouldn’t be a complement to take before bed. The truth is, it will probably have the alternative effect that you just want if you happen to take it before bed because it has more of an energizing effect, which is why people often add it to their pre-workout regimen. Cordyceps is best to taken within the morning, and in turn, you’ll reap the rewards of sleep at night…or so scientists imagine.
Related: Importance of Sleep for Sports Performance
3. Anti-Aging = Improves Sexual Performance, Testosterone, Physical Strength, Brain Function & More
Oxidation is a traditional and essential process that happens in your body. Nevertheless, oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radical and antioxidant activity. As we grow old, it’s essential to cut back oxidative stress, as it will probably help fight off pathogens, and thus, diseases. Furthermore, it’s going to help decelerate aging, which has plenty of advantages similar to improving sexual performance, memory, brain function, and strength.
Studies on mice have found that cordyceps increase antioxidants6. Antioxidants normalize free radicals, which ends up in a decrease in oxidative stress. As such, cordyceps can decelerate aging.
One other study found that cordyceps helped mice live several months longer than other mice that received a placebo7.
The advantages of slowing down aging are plentiful. As we mentioned, it will probably improve memory, sex drive, and strength. It may possibly also reduce fatigue, wrinkles and the graying of hair, amongst other advantages.
It ought to be noted that these studies were conducted on mice in order that they usually are not proven for humans. Nevertheless, that is one among the major traditional uses of cordyceps. So, most imagine this to be true. The Chinese have been using cordyceps for his or her anti-aging effects for hundreds of years. In addition they imagine cordcyeps is a robust aphrodisiac for each men and girls. It is claimed to spice up testosterone levels in men and reproductive capabilities in each men and girls. Studies on rats and boars show the outcomes are very promising.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CORDYCEPS?
Beyond performance and anti-aging advantages, cordyceps offer plenty of health advantages, similar to (the links in the below bullet points will take you to studies):
- Anti-tumor effects on lymphoma, melanoma and lung cancer8.
- Managing Type 2 Diabetes (cordyceps contain a certain sugar that’s believed to assist treat diabetes).
- Improving Kidney Function9.
- Promoting Heart Heart (helpful effects on levels of cholesterol10, triglyceride levels11, and conditions like arrhythmia)12.
- Fighting Inflammation (some inflammation is needed, but an excessive amount of is bad as it will probably result in disease and cancers – cordyceps is shown to suppress special proteins that increase inflammation 13.
- Boosting Immune Responses.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OF TAKING CORDYCEPS?
So long as you don’t have any specific allergies to things like molds or yeast, then you definately could have no unwanted effects from taking cordyceps. Cordyceps is universally considered to be very healthy and protected.
If you happen to are pregnant or breast feeding, it’s recommenced that you just speak with a physician or other health care professionals before taking cordyceps.
HOW TO USE CORDYCEPS SUPPLEMENTS
Cordyceps extract is available in capsule or powder form. For capsules, you’ll be able to simply take them with water. As for powdered extract, you’ll be able to dissolve it into liquid and drink it.
Below are some FAQs regarding taking cordyceps for fitness advantages:
How much cordyceps should I take?
There isn’t a known toxic level for taking cordyceps. It is vitally protected complement. You’ll be able to take either type of cordyceps, on a regular basis, keeping your dosage to 1,000-3,000mg. This range is related to providing the aforementioned health advantages while causing no unwanted effects (i.e. stomach discomfort or digestion issues).
Cordyceps Supplements have clear dosage levels so that you will know exactly how much you take.
When to take cordyceps?
We recommend dosing within the morning. You can even take it before understanding as a performance enhancer if you happen to workout within the morning or afternoon. It shouldn’t be beneficial to take before bed.
Should I take cordycpes on an empty stomach?
Many individuals prefer to take cordyceps on an empty stomach. It shouldn’t cause any issue in any respect. Nevertheless, if you happen to’d like, you’ll be able to take it after a meal as well.
Who should take cordyceps supplements?
Cordyceps is an important complement for healthy individuals who want to improve their athletic performance and overall well being. It said to be especially good for gym-goers and older people.
HOW MUCH DO CORDYCEPS SUPPLEMENTS COST?
Wild Cordyceps Sinensis could be very expensive, costing around $9,000 per pound. Nevertheless, lab grown cordyceps which is what the overwhelming majority of cordyceps are is comparatively inexpensive. General prices for cordyceps powders and extracts range from $10-$30. Take a look at our post that covers the Best Cordyceps Supplements in the marketplace or try our favourite below!
FINAL NOTE ON CORDYCEPS FOR FITNESS:
Although using cordyceps continues to be somewhat speculative for athletic and fitness performance, it’s widely considered to be helpful for overall health and well-being. People have been using cordyceps for a really very long time and the reports are successful. Many studies prove widespread anecdotes to be accurate.
If you ought to give cordyceps a try, go for it! It may possibly’t hurt to try. Chances are you’ll find it to be helpful for you, and if not, you’ll be able to simply stop taking it. There’s really nothing to lose.
Again, seek the advice of your doctor if you might have any concern about taking cordyceps.
Tell us what you consider cordyceps within the comments below.
Related: 12 Traditional Medicines Turned Performance-Enhancing Supplements
