5 Interesting Cordyceps Benefits for Your Workout
Did you know that caterpillars play a vital role in the growth and maturation of Cordyceps mushrooms?
Cordyceps sinensis grows on caterpillars. It infects these larvae during fall and consumes them in winter.
They continue to develop, producing a body in spring, and by summer, they’re fully matured mushrooms that contain all the health benefits of Cordyceps.
Cordyceps militaris, on the other hand, feeds on insects, pupae, and larvae of moths and butterflies.
The two fungi Cordyceps have similar compounds with minimal differences. They have exceptional health benefits for an athlete or beginner gym goer.
Taking cordyceps supplements before your workout sessions boosts your energy levels, increases oxygen utilization, improves your mental focus and endurance.
We’re going to discuss these and other health benefits of cordyceps mushrooms that’ll assist you in achieving your workout goals.
BENEFIT 1 - IMPROVES EXERCISE PERFORMANCE
Cordyceps sinensis and militaris effectively increase the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—a vital molecule that supplies and stores energy in the muscles.
Cordyceps also reduces the production of lactic acid and other oxygen byproducts that cause muscle fatigue.
Some muscle fatigue symptoms you may experience include:
- Muscle twitching
- Soreness
- Trembling
- A weak grip
- Localized pain
A double-blind placebo-controlled trial was done to prove the effect of Cordyceps militaris on a high-intensity workout.
They found that young adults who took C. militaris for three weeks had increased maximum oxygen capacity (VO2) by 11% compared to those who took a placebo.
Maximum oxygen capacity is how well your lungs take in and utilize the oxygen in a single breath. The higher your VO2, the better your workout endurance.
You may be wondering, what is a good VO2 score?
The answer appears in the table below.
| EXPERTISE | VO2 CAPACITY IN ml/Kg/Min |
| Non-trained male | 30–40 |
| Non-trained female | 27–30 |
| Training male | 50–55 |
| Training female | 45–50 |
| Elite male athlete | >85 |
| Elite female athlete | >75 |
As an athlete or a gym-goer, achieving an excellent VO2 level will improve your workout sessions and assist you in achieving better exercise performance goals.
As you work on improving your VO2 levels by taking Cordyceps sinensis or militaris, you also need to monitor other factors that affect performance, such as:
- Skill training
- Mental resilience
- Diet
- Lactate threshold training
- Proper technique
As listed in the fact label sheet below, the best Cordyceps supplement contains added adaptogens to give you superior results.
BENEFIT 2 - STRENGHTENS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Most professional gym instructors advise their clients to build their immune systems. A strong immunity helps maintain a successful workout regime and enables better athletic performance.
A healthy immune system ensures gym enthusiasts fight off foreign bodies. These unwanted bodies cause infections and accumulation of free radicals that diminish exercise endurance and aerobic capacity.
The immune system has white blood cells that ensure you keep your blood and organs free of foreign bodies.
The table below briefly explains the functions of these cells.
| IMMUNE CELLS | FUNCTION |
| Phagocytes | Eats bacteria, viruses, and dead tissue |
| Lymphocytes | Single out and get rid of foreign substances and organisms |
| B-cells | Search and destroy invaders |
| T-cells | Destroy invaded cells |
Natural Cordyceps sinensis or militaris work by stimulating the production of these immune cells that quickly work to eliminate all foreign bodies. The result is less downtime to your workout due to an illness.
One study by Harvard T H Chan showed that the metabolic and immune systems work together to satisfy your body's demand for energy in a workout session.
The immune cells release a protein called interleukin-13, which directs the muscle tissue to continue providing energy allowing longer workout sessions.
Taking cordyceps or a quality mushroom blend supplement will allow your body to produce more immune cells.
These cells will increase the production of interleukin-13, giving you more energy levels and improved athletic performance.
BENEFIT 3 - IMPROVES HEART HEALTH
Did you know that Cordyceps, like other traditional Chinese medicine, is approved in China to treat irregular and abnormal heartbeat, scientifically known as arrhythmias?
The extract of Cordyceps sinensis and militaris contains a compound called adenosine that research shows has a heart-protective effect.
Before starting a workout regime, it's advisable to see your doctor. They'll conduct a thorough physical examination and offer you medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for any disease that may increase the risk of developing a heart problem.
Taking supplements containing any species of Cordyceps will improve your heart health and enable you to start your workout regime sooner rather than later.
Athletes with heart injuries due to chronic kidney disease can still enjoy a workout after taking Cordyceps sinensis or militaris supplements.
Several studies reveal the positive effects of Cordyceps in improving kidney function, which directly affects heart health.
A healthy heart is also dependent on your cholesterol level. An accumulation of bad fat in the body increases the chances of heart disease.
The effects of Cordyceps extend to improve your heart health by working on the cholesterol levels, as shown in the table.
| CHOLESTEROL | EFFECTS ON HEART | CORDYCEPS EXTRACT EFFECTS |
| Bad cholesterol (LDL) | Clog the blood vessels | Decrease LDL by preventing its oxidation |
| Good cholesterol (HDL) | Takes bad cholesterol to the liver for elimination | Increase their levels |
| Triglycerides (waxy fat) | Coat organs and block blood vessels | Decrease their levels by assisting in their elimination |
A workout enthusiast will enjoy the benefits of Cordyceps militaris supplements if their goal for exercising is to lower their cholesterol level.
BENEFIT 4 - BALANCE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS
Blood glucose is the primary source of energy for gym-goers and athletes. Exercising increases blood glucose levels and lowers them if the body stores are depleted.
Blood sugar levels directly affect your workout goals because they have a direct impact on your:
- Stamina
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Speed
- Healing process
Studies suggest that natural or cultured Cordyceps can help regulate insulin and give you the energy you need, while preventing excessively high, or extremely low, blood glucose levels that can cause you to collapse.
During a workout, a hormone called glucagon starts converting muscle and liver glycogen to glucose—a process that increases blood sugar levels.
After a workout, you need your glucose level to reduce because months of high blood sugar levels lead to health problems such as type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Insulin helps to move glucose from the blood to the cells, lowering blood glucose levels. Sometimes it takes too long, leaving high levels in your system.
D-mannitol cordycepin and 3-deoxyadenosine are two active constituents in Cordyceps that mimic insulin and help in controlling blood glucose levels.
Scheduling to take Cordyceps sinensis or militaris 30–45 mins before your workout will energize your session, and afterward lower your sugar levels, without causing jitters or a crash.
BENEFIT 5 - REDUCES INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES
Gym enthusiasts and athletes know that some degree of inflammation is necessary to see tangible results from a workout regime.
Your body becomes stronger through the inflammatory responses by rebuilding and restructuring your tissues and muscle to withstand future workout demands.
Inflammation also helps in the healing and recovering of damaged muscle fibers and tissues. The inflammatory response takes 2–48 hrs to resolve.
The challenge to an athlete occurs when they experience an excessive inflammatory response. Prolonged or chronic inflammation causes:
- Poor recovery time
- Muscle aches and pains
- Reduces maximum oxygen capacity levels
- Joint stiffness and swelling
One study by The National Centre of Biotechnology Information revealed that people who used Cordyceps sinensis produced compounds that suppressed the production of proteins and immune cells that cause inflammation.
Most athletes and gym-goers dread delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a muscle pain that’s experienced hours to two days after a workout. It occurs due to strenuous sessions with heavy resistance involved.
The fruiting bodies of Cordyceps may help prevent and shorten DOMS by inhibiting prolonged and severe muscular inflammatory responses.
Exercising triggers multi-organ inflammation, including the respiratory system. Prolonged inflammation in the lungs and airway can affect your oxygen intake and limit your endurance training.
Cordyceps militaris is an effective anti-inflammatory fungus that works perfectly with other mushroom adaptogens to minimize respiratory inflammatory response.
A quality pre-workout supplement extends your oxygen utilization and endurance levels even when inflammation starts as you are about to hit your workout goal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE CORDYCEPS?
Used in traditional Chinese Medicine traditions for centuries, Cordyceps is a type of fungi with over 400 different species found all over the world.
WHAT ARE OTHER COMMON BENEFITS OF CORDYCEPS?
Here are nine benefits of regular cordyceps consumption.
1. Anti-Aging + Longevity
2. Anti-Tumor Properties
3. Manages Type 2 Diabetes
4. Improves Heart Health
5. Strengthens Immune System
6. Improves Respiratory System
7. Improves Sexual Health
8. Reduces Inflammation
9. Boosts Athletic Performance
WHEN TO SHOULD YOU TAKE CORDYCEPS?
We recommend taking cordyceps in the morning to jumpstart your day as well as 10-15 minutes prior to training and exercise in order to reap the cardiovascular and respiratory benefits associated with cordyceps.
