The most interesting health benefits of cordyceps include its ability to improve respiratory health, increase oxygen uptake, boost your heart health and detoxify your body. This fungus has also been found to help prevent certain types of cancer as well as decrease tumor size in certain types of cancers. Interestingly enough, it can slow down the aging process.. YES, slow it down ladies and gents, while improving energy levels and elevating the immune system’s response.

What exactly is Cordyceps, you may be asking? The name “Cordyceps” (cordyceps senensis) describes as genus of fungi that has traditionally been used in “herbal medicine” for centuries. Cordyceps originated in traditional Chinese medicine about 5,000 years ago, which makes it one of the world’s oldest “superfoods.” These powerful medicinal mushrooms remained virtually unknown to the rest of the world until 1992 when the Chinese women’s track team broke multiple records and partly attributed their success to this fungi.

Studies have found that Cordyceps are natural energizing adaptogens that boost immunity, prevent weakness, fight fatigue and stress while improving exercise performance. They are also prized for their natural ability to fight infections, inflammation and free radicals while having a reputation as a longevity- promoting herb.

Let’s take a deeper look at the potential health benefits and even discuss side effects and contraindications. There are 8 valuable health benefits for us to discuss in more detail.

• improve athletic performance and stamina— this is partially due to their ability to boost ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The mushrooms contain an important nucliec acid needed to create ATP called “adenosine.” Higher ATP production helps the athlete workout more intensely and for longer duration. ATP is also known for improving how the body utilizes oxygen during activity.
• may increase immune response and fight some certain types of cancers– the polysaccharides in Cordyceps (cyclosporines and modified nucleosides) could potentially help fight cancer and immunological disorders. Cordyceps have the potential to slow down tumor growth, increase the body’s defense mechanisms and reduce sysmptoms from the treatment. Cordyceps have even been found to inhibit the growth of various human cancer cells, including skin, liver and lung cancers.
• libido enhancement properties of Cordyceps–this medicinal mushroom has been known to be used as a natural treatment for impotence and infertility potentially due to the fact it improves endurance, reduces inflammation and fatigue, increase blood flow adn the body utilize oxygen more efficiently.
• improve detoxification and liver function– allows for better digestion, utilization of fatty acids and improves signs of liver disease and kidney disease.
• anti-aging effects— this mushroom’s powerful anti-aging properties that help reduce wrinkles, blemishes and age spots, even eliminate dry and dead skin while helping to rejuvenate the overall skin, due to it’s antioxidant content.
• manage type 2 diabetes— numerous diabetic mice studies have found that Cordyceps reduces blood sugar levels and protect the body against kidney disease, which is one of the complications of Diabetes.
• benefits heart health— in China, Cordyceps are approved for treating heart arrythmia– a condition where the heartbeat is irregular (too fast or too slow). The adenosine content in Cordyceps is thought to contribute to the heart-protective effects within these fungi. It is also shown to reduce levels of trigylcerides in the blood, which are linked to higher risk of heart disease.
• lower cholesterol— Cordyceps helps reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) “bad cholesterol” and increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein) “good cholesterol” and as a result, the fungi assists in protecting the heart and preventing strokes, heart attacks and atherosclerosis. LDL cholesterol is known to increase one’s risk of heart disease due to the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.

Although there are many valuable health benefits and Cordyceps are safe for most people, there are some side effects to keep in mind. Cordycep’s safety is not confirmed in breastfeeding and pregnant women, therefore it is best to consult your doctor before using them. Another precaution to take into consideration is people with Autoimmune disease; such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The mushroom’s immune- boosting abilities may overactivate the immune response or interfere with pharmaceutical uses. People with blood clotting disorders are another population that should proceed with caution. PLEASE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE TAKING ANY SUPPLEMENTS!!

Cordyceps has been widely tested on mice and research study animals, but limited research on humans has been done. Therefore, there is no consensus on how much Cordyceps you should take. That being noted, the most effective dosage used in research that is not associated with any side effects ranges from 1,000 mg and 3,000 mg daily.

organicfacts.net; doctorshealthpress.com; cordysen.co.nz