Sarah Brown
Cordyceps is a fungus that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported health benefits, including anti-fatigue, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties. It is often referred to as a mushroom, but it does not grow like a typical mushroom. Instead, it infects insects, particularly caterpillars, and grows out of their heads. While it has been studied for its effects on various health conditions, there is limited conclusive research on its health benefits. However, initial studies suggest that cordyceps may have positive effects on immunity, inflammation, heart health, and athletic performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory | Cordyceps may reduce inflammation in the body, helping to ease symptoms of diseases like asthma, arthritis, and other conditions. |
| Anti-oxidant | Cordyceps may have antioxidant properties, helping to fight off harmful free radicals that can damage DNA, proteins, and other vital cells. |
| Anti-aging | Cordyceps may delay the aging process by positively affecting aging accelerants such as chronic inflammation, hormone activity, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. |
| Anti-fatigue | Cordyceps may help improve energy levels and fight fatigue. |
| Athletic performance | Cordyceps may improve athletic performance by increasing cellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels, which store and release energy in the body. |
| Heart health | Cordyceps may improve heart health by reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of heart disease. |
| Kidney health | Cordyceps may improve kidney health and prevent kidney disease by lowering creatinine levels and protecting the kidneys from toxic drugs, complications of diabetes, and transplant rejection. |
| Cancer | Cordyceps may have anti-cancer properties and help fight cancer cells, particularly with lung or skin cancers. |
| Immunity | Cordyceps may improve immunity by stimulating cells and specific chemicals in the immune system. |
| Diabetes | Cordyceps may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance. |
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What You'll Learn
Cordyceps may help fight cancer cells and shrink tumours
Cordyceps, a complex of parasitic fungi, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a wide range of conditions, including fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and as an adaptogen or immune stimulant. It is said to have anti-cancer properties and is believed to help fight cancer cells and shrink tumours, particularly in lung or skin cancers.
Laboratory studies have shown that cordyceps stimulates T helper cells, prolongs lymphocyte survival, enhances TNF-alpha and IL1 production, and increases NK cell activity. Other experiments suggest that cordyceps may inhibit tumour cells by downregulating MHC class II antigen expression.
Cordyceps sinensis, a specific variety of cordyceps, has been shown to have anticancer and antimetastatic effects. In a 2008 study, cordyceps sphecocephala, another variety of cordyceps, induced apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma and neuroblastoma cells. Additionally, cordyceps sinensis has been found to suppress tumour cell invasion and inhibit the growth of melanoma cells.
While these findings are promising, it is important to note that much of the research on cordyceps and its effects on cancer is limited to animal or lab studies. More human-based research is needed to confirm the efficacy of cordyceps in cancer treatment and its potential side effects.
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They can improve kidney health and prevent kidney disease
Cordyceps are a category of fungi that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for their purported anti-fatigue, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties. They have also been studied for their effects on various health conditions, but conclusive research on their health benefits is limited.
Cordyceps have been suggested to improve kidney health and prevent kidney disease. In one large-scale study, cordyceps lowered creatinine levels in people with chronic kidney disease. Additionally, it has been found to protect the kidneys from toxic drugs, complications of diabetes, and transplant rejection.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of cordyceps are believed to contribute to their potential benefits for kidney health. These properties can help fight off harmful free radicals, preventing damage to DNA, proteins, and other vital cells in the body. By reducing inflammation, cordyceps may also help ease symptoms of diseases like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions.
Cordyceps may also have a positive impact on renal fibrosis. Furthermore, they have been shown to protect the kidneys from the toxic effects of certain drugs, demonstrating their potential in preventing kidney damage caused by medication.
While the potential benefits of cordyceps for kidney health are promising, more comprehensive research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
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Cordyceps may help treat diabetes
Cordyceps, also known as caterpillar fungus, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years due to its many health benefits. Modern medicine has also taken an interest in this fungus.
Cordyceps has been found to have anti-diabetic properties. Research has shown that cordyceps can help reduce blood sugar levels. This is because cordyceps contain active compounds such as cordycepin, polysaccharides, and beta-glucans, which improve the metabolism of sugar in the body, thereby helping to reduce blood sugar levels. This is supported by a study on mice that were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce hyperglycemia. The group of mice that were given C. sinensis extract showed a reduction in body weight and an improved HDL/LDL ratio, which has a protective effect.
Additionally, a 2022 review of 19 trials of 1,805 human subjects with arrhythmia found some improvements in the markers of bradycardia and tachycardia. This is significant because arrhythmia is associated with diabetes. Furthermore, research from 2020 has shown that when human cells are exposed to cordyceps, special proteins that increase inflammation in the body become suppressed. This is important because long-term inflammation can lead to diseases such as diabetes.
Cordyceps may also help protect the tissues that produce insulin and the kidneys, which are often damaged by diabetes. This protective effect on the kidneys is especially important because diabetic kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes.
While the research on the effects of cordyceps on diabetes is promising, it is important to note that much of this research is limited to animal or lab studies. More human-based research is needed to fully understand the effects of cordyceps on diabetes.
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They can improve immunity and heart health
Cordyceps is a fungus that infects certain caterpillars and insects in the high mountain regions of China. It is not a traditional mushroom, but a spear-shaped fruit body that grows out of the insect's head. It is also cultivated in labs, where it does not grow into a mushroom.
Cordyceps has been used in traditional Chinese and Eastern medicine as a daily treatment for good health. It is believed to have anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.
Immunity
Cordyceps is thought to increase immunity by stimulating cells and specific chemicals in the immune system. It may also help fight cancer cells and shrink tumours, particularly in lung or skin cancers. A 2015 study found that Cordyceps militaris enhanced cell-mediated immunity in healthy Korean men.
Heart Health
Cordyceps may also have beneficial effects on heart health. A 2019 mouse study found that it helped prevent heart enlargement by reducing oxidative stress, which can lead to cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, its effect on blood fats like triglycerides may be linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
While these potential health benefits are promising, more human-based research is needed to fully understand the effects of cordyceps on the body.
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Cordyceps may reduce inflammation
Cordyceps is a fungus that infects insects and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments. It has gained popularity due to its appearance in the HBO show and video game, The Last of Us.
While research on the effects of cordyceps on humans is limited, studies suggest that it may have anti-inflammatory properties. For example, research from 2020 showed that when human cells were exposed to cordyceps, special proteins that increase inflammation in the body became suppressed. This indicates that cordyceps may serve as a useful anti-inflammatory supplement or drug.
In a 2022 animal study, researchers found that cordyceps helped reduce inflammation related to arthritis. Other research has found similar results in terms of asthma and allergic rhinitis. The anti-inflammatory effects of cordyceps may also help improve kidney health or prevent kidney disease. For example, in a large-scale study, cordyceps lowered creatinine levels in people with chronic kidney disease.
Cordyceps is also believed to have antioxidant properties, which can help fight off harmful free radicals that damage molecules in DNA, proteins, and other vital cells in the body. Preventing this damage may help delay the body's aging process.
While the potential health benefits of cordyceps are promising, more human-based research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and potential side effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Cordyceps is a fungus that infects certain caterpillars and insects in the high mountain regions of China. It is not a traditional mushroom, but a spear-shaped mushroom or fruit body that grows out of an infected insect.
Cordyceps mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese and Eastern medicine as a daily treatment for good health. They are believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties. They may also help improve immunity, heart health, kidney health, and regulate blood sugar levels.
Cordyceps mushrooms are generally considered safe to consume. However, possible negative side effects may include an upset stomach, nausea, and loose stools. People with certain autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or rheumatoid arthritis, should avoid consuming cordyceps mushrooms or supplements as they may activate the immune system.
Cordyceps mushrooms can be consumed in various forms, including fresh or dried mushrooms, capsules, powders, teas, and mushroom coffee. They are also available as supplements in health shops and online. However, it is important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements, so the amount of cordyceps in each product may vary.
