Cordyceps
Cordyceps militaris / Cordyceps sinensis
Medicinal mushroom traditionally used for energy and endurance, with emerging evidence for exercise performance.
Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Modern research suggests benefits for energy, endurance, and oxygen utilization. Cordyceps militaris is now cultivated and more accessible than wild Cordyceps sinensis. May improve ATP production and oxygen uptake during exercise.
Mechanisms of Action
ATP Production
May enhance cellular energy production
Oxygen Utilization
May improve how efficiently the body uses oxygen
Recommended Dose
1000-3000mg
Optimal Timing
- Morning or pre-workout
Can be taken without food
Best Form
Cordyceps militaris extract (fruiting body)
Alternatives: Cs-4 mycelium extract, Powder, Capsules
Cordyceps militaris is cultivated and more affordable. Look for extracts standardized to cordycepin or beta-glucan content.
Duration
Minimum: 2 weeks
Optimal: 4 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Can be taken with or without food. Some prefer taking before exercise for performance benefits.
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Increased Energy
More sustained energy throughout the day
Improved Endurance
Better performance in aerobic activities
Insufficient data; avoid
Who Should NOT Take This
- Bleeding disorders
- Autoimmune conditions (use with caution)
Drug Interactions
May increase bleeding risk
May affect immune function
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Stay hydrated
Warnings
- Quality varies widely — choose reputable brands
- Wild cordyceps is extremely expensive and often adulterated
Rhodiola Rosea
complementaryBoth support energy and endurance
Enhanced adaptogenic and performance benefits
Beetroot
complementaryDifferent mechanisms for endurance
Cordyceps for ATP, beetroot for nitric oxide
Reishi
complementaryDifferent mushrooms with complementary effects
Reishi for calm/immune, cordyceps for energy
Top studies from 40+ peer-reviewed papers
Zhang HW et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2014)
“We found that Cordyceps preparation, as an adjuvant therapy to conventional medicine, showed potential promise to decrease serum creatinine, increase creatine clearance, reduce proteinuria and alleviate CKD-associated complications, such as increased haemoglobin and serum albumin.”
Key Findings:
- We found that Cordyceps preparation, as an adjuvant therapy to conventional medicine, showed potential promise to decrease serum creatinine, increase creatine clearance, reduce proteinuria and alleviate CKD-associated complications, such as increased haemoglobin and serum albumin.
- However, definitive conclusions could not be made because of the low quality of evidence.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Wang C et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2024)
“Compared with conventional treatment, adjuvant treatment with CS of lung cancer not only improve TRR, QOL and immune function, but also reduce the incidence of ADRs and radiation pneumonitis.”
Key Findings:
- Compared with conventional treatment, adjuvant treatment with CS of lung cancer not only improve TRR, QOL and immune function, but also reduce the incidence of ADRs and radiation pneumonitis.
- The optimal usage may be 6 g/d and 21 days/3 to 4 cycles.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Bee Yean O et al. • Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan (2019)
“Given the small number of trials included, the unclear methodological quality of the included trials, and the high heterogeneity in pooled analyses, the evidence obtained in this review is insufficient to recommend the use of cordyceps as adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients.”
Key Findings:
- However, there was no significant improvement for serum creatinine and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
- Given the small number of trials included, the unclear methodological quality of the included trials, and the high heterogeneity in pooled analyses, the evidence obtained in this review is insufficient to recommend the use of cordyceps as adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Hong T et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
“Although there were some favourable aspects associated with Cordyceps, longer-term studies are needed to clarify any benefit-harm trade-off.”
Key Findings:
- Anaemia, leucopenia, and liver function improved, and incidence of infection may also be reduced.Compared with low dose CsA versus standard dose CsA, Cordyceps did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in patient survival, graft loss, acute rejection or allograft function.
- Although there were some favourable aspects associated with Cordyceps, longer-term studies are needed to clarify any benefit-harm trade-off.
- Future studies should investigate the use of Cordyceps in combination with other immunosuppressive agents such as tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil or induction therapy.
- Such studies also need to be appropriately sized and powered.
Luo Y et al. • Renal failure (2015)
“However, with regard to low-quality and significant heterogeneity of included trials, to further verify the current results from this meta-analysis, long-term and well-designed RCTs with high-quality study are warranted to ascertain the long-term efficacy of O. sinensis.”
Key Findings:
- However, no effects were found for DBP, FBG, and HbA1C.
- However, with regard to low-quality and significant heterogeneity of included trials, to further verify the current results from this meta-analysis, long-term and well-designed RCTs with high-quality study are warranted to ascertain the long-term efficacy of O. sinensis.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Study Type Distribution
Goals This Supplement Supports
Related Goals
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.