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Cordyceps and Health
Cordyceps sinensis is an herb that has been used for centuries in Traditional
Chinese Medicine. Cordyceps is a fungus that grows on caterpillar larvae. It has a variety of
active ingredients, including some unique polysaccharides, proteins, fatty
acids, vitamins, nonhormonal sterols, trace elements, flavones, 2'-deoxyadenosine,
and cordycepin [2-3]. Cordyceps is an adaptogen that may be useful in supporting
endurance and general health. This article will examine some of the more well
known activities
of cordyceps.
Like other adaptogens, cordyceps supports a decrease in fatigue and an increase physical endurance. When administered to mice, cordyceps increases swimming endurance capacity from 75 minutes to 90 minutes, and when given to rats, cordyceps prevents the weight changes of various glands during a period of chronic stress as well as preventing other biochemical stress markers [4]. In double-blind, placebo controlled trials in humans, cordyceps has significantly improved aerobic capacity in healthy elderly volunteers in cycling ergometer tests and significantly increased maximal oxygen intake and total ventilation capacity during incremental work-rate cycling [2, 5]. In another 6 week trial, cordyceps decreased basal glucose, blood lactic acid, and respiratory exchange ratio during prolonged submaximal exercise in healthy volunteers, indicating improved glucose metabolism and increased lipid oxidation during exercise [2, 5]. Cordyceps also facilitates the adaption to hypoxic (low-oxygen) environments in mice [2].
There is a wide body of evidence showing that cordyceps acts as an antioxidant [7]. Administration of cordyceps to humans has been reported to increase superoxide dismutase activity by 54% [2].
It should be noted that cordyceps should be used with caution by those with low blood sugar.
1 gram daily is an effective dose, although 1-3 grams daily is commonly used.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please email dvdtlsn@bulknutrition.com.
1. 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. [medline]
2. 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. [medline]
3. Wang SM, Lee LJ, Lin WW, Chang CM. Effects of a water-soluble extract of Cordyceps sinensis on steroidogenesis and capsular morphology of lipid droplets in cultured rat adrenocortical cells. J Cell Biochem. 1998 Jun 15;69(4):483-9. [medline]
4. Koh JH, Kim KM, Kim JM, Song JC, Suh HJ. Antifatigue and Antistress Effect of the Hot-Water Fraction from Mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 May;26(5):691-4. [medline]
5. Zhao CS, Yin WT, Wang JY, Zhang Y, Yu H, Cooper R, Smidt C, Zhu JS. CordyMax Cs-4 improves glucose metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity in normal rats. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Jun;8(3):309-14. [medline]
6. Huang BM, Hsu CC, Tsai SJ, Sheu CC, Leu SF. Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in normal mouse Leydig cells. Life Sci. 2001 Oct 19;69(22):2593-602. [abstract] [medline]
7. Koh JH, Yu KW, Suh HJ, Choi YM, Ahn TS. Activation of macrophages and the intestinal immune system by an orally administered decoction from cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002 Feb;66(2):407-11. [abstract] [medline]
8. Yamaguchi Y, Kagota S, Nakamura K, Shinozuka K, Kunitomo M. Inhibitory effects of water extracts from fruiting bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on raised serum lipid peroxide levels and aortic cholesterol deposition in atherosclerotic mice. Phytother Res. 2000 Dec;14(8):650-2. [medline]
9. Yamaguchi Y, Kagota S, Nakamura K, Shinozuka K, Kunitomo M. Antioxidant activity of the extracts from fruiting bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis. Phytother Res. 2000 Dec;14(8):647-9. [medline]
10. Koh JH, Kim JM, Chang UJ, Suh HJ. Hypocholesterolemic effect of hot-water extract from mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Jan;26(1):84-7. [medline]
11. Chiou WF, Chang PC, Chou CJ, Chen CF. Protein constituent contributes to the hypotensive and vasorelaxant activities of Cordyceps sinensis. Life Sci. 2000 Feb 25;66(14):1369-76. [medline]
12. Drewes SE, George J, Khan F. Recent findings on natural products with erectile-dysfunction activity. Phytochemistry. 2003 Apr;62(7):1019-25. [medline]
13. Kiho T, Hui J, Yamane A, Ukai S. Polysaccharides in fungi. XXXII. Hypoglycemic activity and chemical properties of a polysaccharide from the cultural mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 1993 Dec;16(12):1291-3. [abstract] [medline]
14. Kiho T, Yamane A, Hui J, Usui S, Ukai S. Polysaccharides in fungi. XXXVI. Hypoglycemic activity of a polysaccharide (CS-F30) from the cultural mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis and its effect on glucose metabolism in mouse liver. Biol Pharm Bull. 1996 Feb;19(2):294-6. [abstract] [medline]
15. Kiho T, Ookubo K, Usui S, Ukai S, Hirano K. Structural features and hypoglycemic activity of a polysaccharide (CS-F10) from the cultured mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 1999 Sep;22(9):966-70. [abstract] [medline]
16. Bok JW, Lermer L, Chilton J, Klingeman HG, Towers GH. Antitumor sterols from the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Phytochemistry. 1999 Aug;51(7):891-8. [medline]
17. Zhou DH, Lin LZ. [Effect of Jinshuibao capsule on the immunological function of 36 patients with advanced cancer]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1995 Aug;15(8):476-8. [abstract] [medline]
18. Chen YJ, Shiao MS, Lee SS, Wang SY. Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on the proliferation and differentiation of human leukemic U937 cells. Life Sci. 1997;60(25):2349-59. [medline]
19. Nakamura K, Yamaguchi Y, Kagota S, Kwon YM, Shinozuka K, Kunitomo M. Inhibitory effect of Cordyceps sinensis on spontaneous liver metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma and B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic mice. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1999 Mar;79(3):335-41. [medline]
20. Gong HY, Wang KQ, Tang SG. [Effects of cordyceps sinensis on T lymphocyte subsets and hepatofibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B] Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2000 Jun 28;25(3):248-50. [abstract] [medline]
21. Liu YK, Shen W. Inhibitive effect of cordyceps sinensis on experimental hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanism. World J Gastroenterol. 2003 Mar;9(3):529-33. [medline]
22. Kuo YC, Tsai WJ, Wang JY, Chang SC, Lin CY, Shiao MS. Regulation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids cell function by the immunomodulatory agents from Cordyceps sinensis. Life Sci. 2001 Jan 19;68(9):1067-82. [medline]
Like other adaptogens, cordyceps supports a decrease in fatigue and an increase physical endurance. When administered to mice, cordyceps increases swimming endurance capacity from 75 minutes to 90 minutes, and when given to rats, cordyceps prevents the weight changes of various glands during a period of chronic stress as well as preventing other biochemical stress markers [4]. In double-blind, placebo controlled trials in humans, cordyceps has significantly improved aerobic capacity in healthy elderly volunteers in cycling ergometer tests and significantly increased maximal oxygen intake and total ventilation capacity during incremental work-rate cycling [2, 5]. In another 6 week trial, cordyceps decreased basal glucose, blood lactic acid, and respiratory exchange ratio during prolonged submaximal exercise in healthy volunteers, indicating improved glucose metabolism and increased lipid oxidation during exercise [2, 5]. Cordyceps also facilitates the adaption to hypoxic (low-oxygen) environments in mice [2].
There is a wide body of evidence showing that cordyceps acts as an antioxidant [7]. Administration of cordyceps to humans has been reported to increase superoxide dismutase activity by 54% [2].
It should be noted that cordyceps should be used with caution by those with low blood sugar.
1 gram daily is an effective dose, although 1-3 grams daily is commonly used.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please email dvdtlsn@bulknutrition.com.
1. 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. [medline]
2. 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. [medline]
3. Wang SM, Lee LJ, Lin WW, Chang CM. Effects of a water-soluble extract of Cordyceps sinensis on steroidogenesis and capsular morphology of lipid droplets in cultured rat adrenocortical cells. J Cell Biochem. 1998 Jun 15;69(4):483-9. [medline]
4. Koh JH, Kim KM, Kim JM, Song JC, Suh HJ. Antifatigue and Antistress Effect of the Hot-Water Fraction from Mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 May;26(5):691-4. [medline]
5. Zhao CS, Yin WT, Wang JY, Zhang Y, Yu H, Cooper R, Smidt C, Zhu JS. CordyMax Cs-4 improves glucose metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity in normal rats. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Jun;8(3):309-14. [medline]
6. Huang BM, Hsu CC, Tsai SJ, Sheu CC, Leu SF. Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in normal mouse Leydig cells. Life Sci. 2001 Oct 19;69(22):2593-602. [abstract] [medline]
7. Koh JH, Yu KW, Suh HJ, Choi YM, Ahn TS. Activation of macrophages and the intestinal immune system by an orally administered decoction from cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002 Feb;66(2):407-11. [abstract] [medline]
8. Yamaguchi Y, Kagota S, Nakamura K, Shinozuka K, Kunitomo M. Inhibitory effects of water extracts from fruiting bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on raised serum lipid peroxide levels and aortic cholesterol deposition in atherosclerotic mice. Phytother Res. 2000 Dec;14(8):650-2. [medline]
9. Yamaguchi Y, Kagota S, Nakamura K, Shinozuka K, Kunitomo M. Antioxidant activity of the extracts from fruiting bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis. Phytother Res. 2000 Dec;14(8):647-9. [medline]
10. Koh JH, Kim JM, Chang UJ, Suh HJ. Hypocholesterolemic effect of hot-water extract from mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Jan;26(1):84-7. [medline]
11. Chiou WF, Chang PC, Chou CJ, Chen CF. Protein constituent contributes to the hypotensive and vasorelaxant activities of Cordyceps sinensis. Life Sci. 2000 Feb 25;66(14):1369-76. [medline]
12. Drewes SE, George J, Khan F. Recent findings on natural products with erectile-dysfunction activity. Phytochemistry. 2003 Apr;62(7):1019-25. [medline]
13. Kiho T, Hui J, Yamane A, Ukai S. Polysaccharides in fungi. XXXII. Hypoglycemic activity and chemical properties of a polysaccharide from the cultural mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 1993 Dec;16(12):1291-3. [abstract] [medline]
14. Kiho T, Yamane A, Hui J, Usui S, Ukai S. Polysaccharides in fungi. XXXVI. Hypoglycemic activity of a polysaccharide (CS-F30) from the cultural mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis and its effect on glucose metabolism in mouse liver. Biol Pharm Bull. 1996 Feb;19(2):294-6. [abstract] [medline]
15. Kiho T, Ookubo K, Usui S, Ukai S, Hirano K. Structural features and hypoglycemic activity of a polysaccharide (CS-F10) from the cultured mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis. Biol Pharm Bull. 1999 Sep;22(9):966-70. [abstract] [medline]
16. Bok JW, Lermer L, Chilton J, Klingeman HG, Towers GH. Antitumor sterols from the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis. Phytochemistry. 1999 Aug;51(7):891-8. [medline]
17. Zhou DH, Lin LZ. [Effect of Jinshuibao capsule on the immunological function of 36 patients with advanced cancer]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1995 Aug;15(8):476-8. [abstract] [medline]
18. Chen YJ, Shiao MS, Lee SS, Wang SY. Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on the proliferation and differentiation of human leukemic U937 cells. Life Sci. 1997;60(25):2349-59. [medline]
19. Nakamura K, Yamaguchi Y, Kagota S, Kwon YM, Shinozuka K, Kunitomo M. Inhibitory effect of Cordyceps sinensis on spontaneous liver metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma and B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic mice. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1999 Mar;79(3):335-41. [medline]
20. Gong HY, Wang KQ, Tang SG. [Effects of cordyceps sinensis on T lymphocyte subsets and hepatofibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B] Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2000 Jun 28;25(3):248-50. [abstract] [medline]
21. Liu YK, Shen W. Inhibitive effect of cordyceps sinensis on experimental hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanism. World J Gastroenterol. 2003 Mar;9(3):529-33. [medline]
22. Kuo YC, Tsai WJ, Wang JY, Chang SC, Lin CY, Shiao MS. Regulation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids cell function by the immunomodulatory agents from Cordyceps sinensis. Life Sci. 2001 Jan 19;68(9):1067-82. [medline]
