Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that grows in the larvae of insects. When this fungus attacks its host, it replaces the host's tissue and forms long, thin strands that grow out of the host's body. The remains of the insect larvae and the mushrooms that grew inside them used to be collected by hand, dried and used in traditional medicine to treat nausea, kidney disease and low sex drive. Cordyceps Sinensis is one of the most valuable mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine. From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps supports the kidneys. According to this medical doctrine, the kidney stores all our energy and is therefore regarded as the root of life. After long-lasting illnesses and severe stress, Cordyceps helps the body to regenerate and is a real source of energy for body and mind. These generally strengthening properties have a stimulating effect on the immune system. Once reserved only for emperors, this versatile mushroom is now the tonic of China's top athletes. Cordyceps first came to public attention in 1993 when a group of Chinese runners set 9 world records in the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Germany. After winning, the coach attributed this success in part to the athletes taking a Cordyceps-based tonic.

In the western world, products containing cordyceps are becoming increasingly popular due to their many health benefits. Of the more than 400 different Cordyceps species, two species seem to be particularly interesting in this respect: Cordyceps Sinensis and Cordyceps Militaris. It is on these species - and Cordyceps Sinensis in particular - that scientific research is focusing.

Although there are only a few human studies conducted with Cordyceps to date, these studies, together with a much larger number of in vitro and animal studies, point to a number of interesting benefits of Cordyceps in terms of health and athletic performance.

Cordyceps can increase athletic performance

Cordyceps can increase the body's production of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is also known as the energy currency of cells and is essential for supplying energy to the muscles. This could improve the way your body uses oxygen during exercise (1, 2). In one study, scientists investigated the effects of cordyceps on the exercise capacity of 30 older adults who completed training sessions on a cycle ergometer (3). The subjects were given either 3 grams of a Cordyceps supplement or a placebo per day. At the end of the study, the VO2 max of the subjects who had taken Cordyceps had increased by 7%, while no changes were observed in the subjects in the placebo group. VO2 max is a measure of fitness level (4). In a similar study, 20 older adults were given either 1 gram of a Cordyceps supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks (5). While the researchers did not observe a change in VO2 max in either group, improvements in other markers of exercise performance were observed in the Cordyceps group. This study also showed that Cordyceps can significantly increase the lactate threshold, also known as the anaerobic threshold. The lactate threshold is a measure of the maximum exercise intensity that an athlete can sustain while maintaining a balance between the formation and breakdown of lactate. There is also a study that looked at the effects of a mushroom blend that included Cordyceps on exercise performance in younger adults (6). After three weeks of supplementation, the VO2 max of the Cordyceps group had increased by 11% compared to the placebo group. However, there are also studies that have not observed any improvement in training performance in previously well-trained athletes (7, 8).

• Summary: Cordyceps has been shown to improve markers of exercise performance in young and older subjects, but not in previously trained athletes.

Cordyceps may have anti-ageing properties

Elderly people have long used cordyceps in traditional medicine to reduce fatigue and increase strength and sex drive. Scientists believe that the antioxidant content of cordyceps may explain this anti-aging potential (9). Several studies have found that cordyceps can increase antioxidant levels in aging mice, helping to boost memory and sexual function (10, 11, 12). Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize cell-damaging free radicals that would otherwise contribute to disease and the progression of the aging process (13, 14, 15). One study found that mice given Cordyceps lived several months longer than mice given only a placebo (16). Another study found that Cordyceps prolonged the life of fruit flies, further supporting the anti-aging effects of this mushroom (17). However, it is not yet known whether Cordyceps also has such effects in humans.

• Summary: Studies conducted with mice suggest that Cordyceps has anti-aging effects. However, further studies are needed to confirm this effect in humans.

Cordyceps may have potential anti-tumor effects

The potential ability of Cordyceps to slow the growth of tumors has attracted a great deal of interest in recent years. Scientists believe that this mushroom may have anti-tumor effects via several mechanisms. In test tubes, Cordyceps has been shown to inhibit the growth of many different types of human cancer cells, including lung cancer cells, colon cancer cells, skin cancer cells and liver cancer cells (18, 19, 20, 21). Studies conducted with mice also show that cordyceps may have an anti-tumor effect on lymphoma, melanoma and lung cancer (22, 23, 24, 25). In addition, Cordyceps could reduce the side effects associated with various cancer therapies. One of these side effects is leukopenia - not to be confused with leukemia. In leukopenia, the number of white blood cells decreases, weakening the body's defenses and increasing the risk of infection (26). One study investigated the effects of Cordyceps in mice that had developed leukopenia after radiation and the chemotherapy drug Taxol (27). Interestingly, Cordyceps helped to alleviate this leukopenia, suggesting that this mushroom may help to reduce the side effects of certain cancer therapies.

However, it is important to understand that these studies were conducted with animals and in test tubes. Until corresponding human studies have been conducted, it is not possible to draw any conclusions regarding corresponding effects in humans.

• Summary: Test tube and animal studies suggest that Cordyceps may have the potential for use in cancer therapy, as well as to alleviate some of the side effects of conventional cancer therapies.

Cordyceps could help control type 2 diabetes

Cordyceps contains a special type of sugar that could help in the treatment of diabetes. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin, or does not respond to this hormone, which normally transports glucose into cells for energy. If your body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond well to insulin, then glucose cannot enter the cells and therefore remains in the blood. Over time, too much glucose in the blood can lead to serious health problems. For this reason, it is important for diabetics to ensure that their blood glucose levels are well controlled. Interestingly, cordyceps may help keep blood glucose levels in a normal range by mimicking the effects of insulin. Several studies have shown that cordyceps can lower blood glucose levels in diabetic mice (28, 29, 30).

• Conclusion: Chronically elevated blood glucose levels are common in people with uncontrolled diabetes and can lead to serious health problems. Studies conducted with animals suggest that cordyceps may have potential as a diabetes treatment.

Cordyceps could protect against kidney disease

In traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps has been used for centuries to protect the liver and treat kidney disorders such as nephritis, polynephritis and general kidney dysfunction (53). Indeed, some research suggests that cordyceps may protect against kidney disease, which is a common complication of diabetes. In a study review that included 22 studies with a total of 1,746 subjects with chronic kidney disease, subjects taking cordyceps experienced an improvement in kidney function (31). However, these studies are not all convincing. The authors of the study review noted that many of these studies were of low quality. For this reason, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about the effects of cordyceps on kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease. In addition, cordyceps has been shown to reduce renal fibrosis - an abnormal growth of connective tissue in the kidneys - and thereby improve kidney function and health (46).

• Conclusion: Numerous human studies show that cordyceps can improve kidney function in people with kidney disease.

Possible benefits of cordyceps for heart health

The more that is known about the effects of cordyceps on heart health, the more obvious the health benefits of this mushroom become. In China, cordyceps is even approved for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia - a condition characterized by a heartbeat that is too slow, too fast or irregular (32). One study came to the conclusion that cordyceps significantly reduced damage to the heart in rats with chronic kidney disease. It is thought that damage to the heart caused by chronic kidney disease increases the risk of heart failure, meaning that reducing this damage could help prevent heart failure (33). The scientists attribute these results to the adenosine content of Cordyceps. Adenosine is a naturally occurring compound that has heart-protective properties (34). Cordyceps may also have positive effects on cholesterol levels. Animal studies have shown that cordyceps can lower levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol (35, 36, 37). Elevated LDL cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease as they contribute to a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. Cordyceps has also been shown to lower triglyceride levels in mice (35). Triglycerides are a type of fat that is found in the blood. Higher triglyceride levels are associated with a higher risk of heart disease (38).

However, further conclusive human studies are needed to definitively and unequivocally prove the positive effects of Cordyceps on heart health in humans. Summary: Cordyceps may have beneficial effects on heart health, as this mushroom may help prevent cardiac arrhythmias and lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

Cordyceps may help fight inflammation in the body

Cordyceps may help fight inflammation in the body. Although a certain level of inflammation is good, high levels of inflammation can lead to diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Scientific research has shown that when human cells were exposed to cordyceps, specific proteins that increase inflammation in the human body were suppressed (39, 40, 41, 42).

Thanks to these potential effects, Cordyceps could act as an effective anti-inflammatory (42). Indeed, Cordyceps has been shown to reduce airway inflammation in mice, which could make this mushroom a potential agent for the treatment of asthma. In this context, however, it should be mentioned that Cordyceps has a weaker effect than asthma drugs used in the medical field (43). Cordyceps could also be effective when applied topically. One study found that Cordyceps reduced inflammation of the skin when this mushroom was applied to the skin of mice, providing further evidence of its anti-inflammatory properties (44). Summary: Scientific research suggests that Cordyceps can reduce inflammatory markers in animals.

Cordyceps has pronounced antioxidant effects

Scientific studies have shown that different Cordyceps species - and Cordyceps sinensis in particular - have pronounced antioxidant properties, which are attributed to the polysaccharides contained in Cordyceps (45, 54, 55). Studies conducted with mice have shown that Cordyceps supplementation can reduce oxidative damage by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (56). In this respect, Cordyceps sinensis appears to have a stronger effect than other Cordyceps species (57). Antioxidants neutralize ubiquitous free radicals in the body, which are produced as part of natural metabolic processes and are formed in large quantities during training, especially in intensively exercising athletes. Free radicals are aggressive, highly reactive oxygen species that can damage the body's cells and the cells' DNA. Elevated levels of free radicals have been linked to a variety of chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer, as well as accelerated ageing and deterioration of the body at a cellular level. Cordyceps could therefore not only reduce the risk of numerous diseases and slow down the ageing process, but also accelerate recovery after intensive training sessions, as free radicals produced during training lead to increased damage to muscle cells, which must be repaired after training.

• Summary: Cordyceps has pronounced antioxidant properties that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, slow down the cellular ageing process and accelerate physical regeneration.

Cordyceps could have liver-protective properties

A number of animal and in vitro studies suggest that cordyceps appears to have a pronounced hepatoprotective effect and may also help to reduce existing liver damage. A study conducted with rats concluded that cordyceps significantly reduced the symptoms of liver fibrosis in rats suffering from this disease (47). Other studies have shown that cordyceps can protect against liver injury and can have various positive effects on liver health in cases of pre-existing liver damage (48, 49).

• Summary: Studies conducted with rats suggest that Cordyceps may protect against liver damage and alleviate pre-existing liver damage.

Cordyceps could increase libido and sexual performance

Cordyceps has been used as a potent aphrodisiac in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. These effects have been confirmed by numerous studies carried out on humans and animals. Studies conducted with rats indicate improved erectile function and a significantly increased willingness to mate, as well as increased sperm volume and increased serum levels of the male sex hormone testosterone (50 ,51).

A comprehensive study review from 2016 came to the conclusion that a Cordyceps species could increase libido and sexual performance in both sexes and help against impotence and infertility (52).

• Summary: There is evidence that Cordyceps could improve libido and help with infertility and impotence.

Cordyceps could increase testosterone levels

Cordyceps is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat potency problems and reduced libido, as well as to increase testosterone levels. Recent scientific studies do indeed indicate that cordyceps can increase levels of the male sex hormone. It has been shown that cordyceps can significantly increase testosterone production in the Leydig cells of the testicles, which are responsible for the production of this hormone (22, 58). This is attributed to a compound called alpha-aminoisobutylic acid, which occurs naturally in cordyceps, protein fragments contained in cordyceps, and the cordyceptin contained in cordyceps (59, 60). In another study conducted with rats, cordyceps was able to increase testosterone levels by more than 16% within 6 weeks compared to the control group (61). Significant increases in serum testosterone levels were also observed in a study conducted with boars (51).

• Summary: Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that Cordyceps can significantly increase the body's own testosterone production.

Cordyceps can improve immune function

Scientific research suggests that cordyceps can improve immune function via several different mechanisms and thus reduce susceptibility to infectious diseases. One of these mechanisms appears to be linked to the antioxidant effect of the polysaccharides contained in Cordyceps. In a study conducted with mice, Cordyceps was shown to improve immune function by reducing oxidative damage and modulating the release of the cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17 (54). The same study also showed that Cordyceps can increase the activity of phagocytes known as macrophages, resulting in a 12% increase in phagocytosis. Phagocytosis refers to the active uptake of particles by macrophages.

• Summary: There are a number of studies that indicate that Cordyceps increases the activity of the immune system.

Willpower

Cordyceps can be used against depression. Frequent accompanying symptoms such as lack of willpower, motivation, anxiety, worry and a feeling of emptiness result from kidney weakness. The mushroom supports the kidneys in their function. Studies have also shown its stimulating effect on the release of hormones from the adrenal cortex, thereby counteracting stress symptoms.

Commercially available cordyceps supplements

Naturally occurring Cordyceps sinensis is rare and very expensive at up to 20,000 dollars per kilo. For this reason, most Cordyceps supplements contain the artificially cultivated version Cordyceps CS-4, which has also been used in the majority of studies demonstrating the positive effects of Cordyceps. Good products are standardized to a minimum of 0.2% adenosine and 7% cordycepic acid.

Dosages

Due to the limited human studies available to date, there is no general consensus on the ideal dosage. The dosages used in human studies are in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day. This dosage range is not associated with side effects.

Safety and side effects

To date, no studies have investigated the safety of cordyceps in humans. However, a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine suggests that cordyceps has no significant toxic properties. This is also supported by the fact that the Chinese government has approved Cordyceps CS-4 for use in medicine and has recognized this product as a safe natural remedy (32).

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the safety of Cordyceps during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid cordyceps to be on the safe side.

"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or others: Cordyceps could cause the immune system to become more active and this could exacerbate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. For this reason, it is best to avoid cordyceps if you suffer from any of these diseases.

Interactions

Care should be taken when using Cordyceps in combination with the following medications:

Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is used to reduce the function of the immune system. Cordyceps appears to improve the function of the immune system. Taking cordyceps in combination with cyclophosphamide could reduce the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide.

Drugs that reduce the function of the immune system

Cordyceps could improve the function of the immune system. By improving the function of the immune system, Cordyceps could reduce the effectiveness of drugs that reduce the function of the immune system.

Prednisolone

Prednisolone is sometimes used to reduce the function of the immune system. Taking Cordyceps could reduce the effectiveness of prednisolone when used to reduce immune system function.

Conclusion

Cordyceps has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of diseases and conditions. However, even though this mushroom has very promising properties, the amount of human studies to date is still quite limited and further studies are needed to make definitive recommendations. Animal and laboratory studies suggest that Cordyceps has the potential to improve heart health and help fight inflammation, cancer, diabetes and ageing. However, there are some human studies that have investigated the effects of cordyceps on exercise performance. These studies show that Cordyceps can increase exercise energy and oxygen utilization during exercise. At this time, there is no consensus on the optimal dosage to benefit from the potential health benefits of cordyceps.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28094746
2. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jspfsm/55/Supplement/55_S145/_pdf/-char/en
3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02836405
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17218891
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110835/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5236007/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15118196
8. https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79960282741&origin=inward&txGid=77278836e24be03f5c1b663f505025ab
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27433838
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18803231
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21061463
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22536281
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24845883
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29547847
16. http://www.fasebj.org/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.599.1
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4564082/
18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26263965
19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26141646
20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26141646
21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26115996
22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16354395
23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2206772
24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16423520
25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10230862
26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27034055
27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2775070
28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15050427
29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27274781
30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519550/
31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25519252
32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/
33. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814030/
34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23192916/
35. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21882527
36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20724804
37. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/26/1/26_1_84/_article
38. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26892957
39. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8874668
40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12831777
41. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12413710
42. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371127/
43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19133568
44. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15619578
45. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711304700306
46. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1631/jzus.B1100034
47. https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/16965748
48. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814030/
49. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11033-014-3031-y
50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18803231
51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17708629
52. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791983/
53. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22593927
54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22001898
55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19885957
56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21061463
57. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16608242
58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11712663
59. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12899935
60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21512251
61. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19051352
62. Hsu CC, Huang YL, Tsai SJ, Sheu CC, Huang BM. In vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells. Life Sci. 2003 Sep 5;73(16):2127-36.
63. Dai G, Bao T, Xu C, Cooper R, Zhu JS. CordyMax Cs-4 improves steady-state bioenergy status in mouse liver. J Altern Complement Med. 2001 Jun;7(3):231-40.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cordyceps-benefits#section8