Health Benefits of Cordyceps Mushroom Extract

Cordyceps Mushroom Background

Cordyceps is a striking bright orange mushroom that has been long been prized for its health benefits related to energy, performance and overall well-being and vitality. Historically, Cordyceps has been a highly sought after mushroom often reserved for the rich in society. Cordyceps has reportedly been worth its weight in gold at times fetching as much as $110,000/kg (1).

Wild Cordyceps is unique in the way it grows from insects and is able to alter their behaviour, making them reach higher ground for the mushroom to spread spores.

Wild Cordyceps (Cordyseps sinesens) has been overharvested so that it is now an endangered species. Cordyceps militaris can be cultivated on a rice based substrate without harm to insects. Cordyceps militaris is more sustainable and contains higher amounts of active beneficial compounds (2) so you should look for this type of cordyceps and avoid cordyceps sinesens.

Key compounds found in Cordyceps

The main active compound found in Cordyceps is called Cordycepin (3). Other important compounds in Cordyceps include polysaccharides, carotenoids, antioxidants (e.g ergothionine), lovastatin and selenium. Cordyceps contains a rich range of 17 amino acids, as well as nucleosides, importantly adenosine (4).

Cordycepin is insoluble in water, meaning alcohol extraction is required to maximise the amounts of this beneficial compound.

What are the benefits of taking Cordyceps mushroom extract?

Improved energy levels
Enhanced exercise performance
Lowers cholesterol & blood lipids

These key benefits of Cordyceps extract are explained further below, describing how they work along with the relevant studies.

How does Cordyceps improve energy levels?

Cordyceps mushroom is rich in Cordycepin (structurally similar to adenosine also found in Cordyceps). Cordycepin and adenosine both contribute to increasing levels of ATP in the body. ATP is the primary energy source used by the cells of our body, particularly the mitochondria (5). ATP is extremely important for us to function and is constantly produced and recycled - our bodies turn over their equivalent weight in ATP each day (6).

A study in mice found that those given Cordyceps supplements demonstrated 18.4% higher levels of ATP in the liver compared to the control group (7). An increase in ATP throughout the body can improve energy levels and may reduce feelings of fatigue.

How does Cordyceps improve exercise performance?

Cordyceps ability to improve exercise performance became well known in 1993 when the Chinese Olympic women’s running team beat numerous records - their coach attributed their success to the consumption of Cordyceps (8). Improved exercise performance when consuming Cordyceps has been backed up by scientific studies. For example, one study found that people supplementing with Cordyceps for three weeks, showed significant improvements in V02 max when exercising compared to those who did not supplement (9). In another study, those taking Cordyceps for 12 weeks were able to cycle a bike 10.5% longer before experiencing muscle fatigue whereas, those taking the placebo showed no improvement over baseline(10).

These improvements in exercise performance are due to the ability of Cordyceps to enhance ATP levels, reduce lactic acid build up and improve glucose uptake in muscles(11),(12).

Cordyceps may also contribute to greater strength by increasing testosterone levels(13).

Cordyceps to improve cholesterol and blood lipids

Lovastatin is a naturally occurring statin compound (synthetic versions are often prescribed for cholesterol/blood pressure). Lovastatin is found in high levels in Cordyceps mycelium (17X higher in Cordyceps mycelium vs fruit body)(14). The natural presence of lovastatin in cordyceps can lead to improved cholesterol levels as well as reducing blood triglycerides(15),(16).

History of Use

The use of Cordyceps was first documented 300 years ago in China (17). However the benefits may have been known long before this.

Studies deem Cordyceps to be a safe dietary supplement, for example this study found no toxicity (18). With any new supplement, it is best to start with smaller doses and always discuss with a healthcare professional, particularly if you are on other medications.

What is the extraction process?

In order to obtain the health benefits of functional compounds in mushrooms, some treatments are needed to make these substances available for our bodies. Mushroom cell walls contain chitin (which also makes up insect exoskeletons). Chitin can’t be easily broken down by our bodies. Eating raw mushrooms isn’t recommended and can cause stomach upset. In order to make the mushroom extract, fruit bodies and mycelium undergo a two part extraction using alcohol as well as hot water. This treatment helps break down the tough chitin in the cell wall.

The use of alcohol and hot water allows maximum extraction of beneficial compounds. Cordyceps mushrooms contain a wide range of beneficial compounds - some of which are water soluble (polysaccharides) while others won’t dissolve in water but dissolve readily into alcohol (cordycepin). The water and alcohol are then evaporated off, and the remaining powder is ready to be used or made into capsules for easy consumption. Learn more about our extraction process here.

Conclusion

Cordyceps is an extremely healthy mushroom to consume and offers an exciting opportunity to improve vitality, energy and performance. Evidence from the scientific literature supports the safe use of Cordyceps mushroom extracts to improve overall health, enhance energy levels, improve exercise performance and improve blood cholesterol and lipid levels. There has been a lot of research into Cordyceps as a functional mushroom but more human clinical trials are needed to increase our knowledge.

Check out our Cordyceps Extract Capsules (coming soon) or Dried Cordyceps to enjoy the benefits!