Cordyceps: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Cordyceps sinensis
Family or group:
Mushrooms
Active ingredients:
Polysaccharides
Adenosine
Sterols
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Renal insufficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
A meta-analysis of clinical studies in patients with chronic kidney disease shows that taking 0.6 to 2 g of cordyceps orally three times a day, in addition to standard treatment, appears to lower serum creatinine levels and increase creatinine clearance compared with standard treatment alone. nnAnother meta-analysis of clinical studies in patients with diabetic nephropathy shows that taking 0.5 to 2 g of Cordyceps orally three times a day together with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduces blood urea nitrogen and lowers serum creatinine levels compared with ACEI/ARB treatment alone. nnA meta-analysis of small clinical trials in patients on hemodialysis suggests that adding Cordyceps to standard treatment does not appear to improve serum creatinine levels, but may improve certain markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein, compared with placebo. nnThese studies confirm the traditional use of Cordyceps as a kidney tonic.nn
Posologie
Oral administration
1.5 - 6 g
standardized extract, dry extract
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Jinshuibao Combined With ACEI/ARB in the Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Cordyceps militaris Improves Chronic Kidney Disease by Affecting TLR4/NF- κ B Redox Signaling Pathway
Clinical application of Cordyceps sinensis on immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation
Efficacy of Cordyceps sinensis as an adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and Meta-analysis
Use of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis) combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) versus ACEI/ARB alone in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease: a meta-analysis
Diabetic nephropathy ✪✪✪✪✪
Cordyceps has been widely used as a tonic for patients in poor health in China. As a fermentation product of Cordyceps, the jinshuibao has long been used in clinical practice, particularly in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease and nephropathy. A meta-analysis of clinical studies in patients with diabetic nephropathy shows that taking 0.5 to 2 g of Cordyceps orally three times daily together with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduces blood urea nitrogen by 2 mg/dL and decreases serum creatinine levels by 0.1 mg/dL compared with ACEI/ARB treatment alone. Furthermore, Cordyceps may benefit patients undergoing angiography by reducing the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy, a form of kidney damage that can occur after certain medical procedures. A preliminary clinical study in patients with diabetic nephropathy shows that taking 2 to 3 g of Cordyceps orally three times daily for 3 days before and after angiography reduces the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy by approximately 48% to 66% compared with standard treatment.
Posologie
Oral administration
6 - 9 g
standardized extract, dry extract
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Jinshuibao Combined With ACEI/ARB in the Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Effect of Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) therapy on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography
Sexual disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Among men, studies suggest that Cordyceps may increase testosterone levels, which are essential for various aspects of male reproductive health, including sperm production and sexual function. In women, Cordyceps may increase libido. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a specific Cordyceps preparation (Cs-4) at about 3 g per day for 40 days can improve symptoms of sexual weakness in 66% of patients, compared with 32% of patients taking natural Cordyceps and 24% of patients taking a placebo.
Posologie
Orally
3 g
standardized extract, dry extract
Athletic performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Taking 1 g of Cordyceps (Cs-4) per day for 12 weeks (divided into a 333 mg dose three times a day) increased lactate and ventilatory threshold in older adults but did not affect VO2 max (the maximal measure of a person's oxygen consumption during intense exercise). This indicates that Cordyceps likely improved the body's ability to produce energy under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions. In another study, a 3 g dose of a Cordyceps-based product for 5 weeks did not increase aerobic cycling performance or VO2 max. One reason for these mixed results could be that the Cordyceps dosing regimen was insufficient to elicit positive changes in humans. A one-week loading phase followed by a maintenance phase of at least 2 to 4 weeks may be necessary to achieve the effect of improving aerobic capacity and resistance to fatigue. Another reason may be that, since these experiments were conducted on healthy individuals, there was less room for improvement in physiology, health, and performance than in sick or elderly people.
Posologie
Oral
1 g
CS-4
Synergies
Effects of a commercial herbal-based formula on exercise performance in cyclists
Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Cordyceps Sinensis (CordyMax Cs-4) supplementation does not improve endurance exercise performance
Fatigue ✪✪✪✪✪
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Cordyceps has been used to treat fatigue, cough, hypo-sexuality, weakness after a serious illness, renal dysfunction, and renal failure. Cordyceps extracts may act in several ways, according to studies in mice: - In the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which led to improved hepatic energy metabolism and blood flow in dietary iron-deficiency anemic mice but also significantly increased the ATP/inorganic phosphate ratio in the liver of normal mice - Treatment with Cordyceps extracts increased the ex vivo myocardial ATP-generating capacity in mice, which could be mediated by the improvement in mitochondrial electron transport. - Cordyceps has a powerful antioxidant effect, which can scavenge ROS (reactive oxygen species) produced in working muscles during exercise and help relieve fatigue - Cordyceps induces a more efficient use and consumption of oxygen, which resulted in a higher survival rate in a hypoxic environment in mice. These results indicate a more efficient use of O2 by Cordyceps to support the essential physiological activities of tissues and improve tolerance to hypoxia-induced acidosis. However, few human trials have been conducted on the antifatigue effect of Cordyceps; this indication is based on a long history of traditional use.
Posologie
Oral administration
3 g
standardized extract, dry extract
Properties
Anticancer
Studies conducted on cancer-bearing animals suggest that Cordyceps may improve immune response, reduce tumor size, and prolong survival. Several mechanisms contribute to Cordyceps' antitumor effect, such as direct cytotoxicity, immunopotentiation, apoptosis, selective inhibition of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein synthesis, as well as its antioxidant, antiangiogenic, antimutagenic, antimetastatic, and antiviral activities. One of the active components is cordycepin, whose anticancer effects on various tumors, including breast cancer, have been reported. Its structural similarity to cellular nucleosides and adenosine (components of DNA and RNA that play an important role in many biological processes, including the transmission of genetic information and the regulation of cellular activities) allows it to interfere with cancer cells' ability to properly produce genetic messages (mRNA), thereby contributing to their destruction.
Immunomodulator
Preliminary studies suggest that Cordyceps may stimulate immune function by increasing the number of helper T cells; by increasing the activity of natural killer cells; by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells; by increasing levels of interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-1; and by prolonging lymphocyte survival.nnInterestingly, Cordyceps has immunomodulatory effects, mainly attributed to its polysaccharides and cordycepin.nnPolysaccharides can stimulate macrophage and T cell activity, increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis, mechanisms useful for treating tumors and viral infections.nnCordycepin, for its part, appears more appropriate in autoimmune diseases as it can act as an immunosuppressant. The combination helps balance the immune response, making Cordyceps an interesting remedy for immune function.nn
Nephroprotective
The consumption of Cordyceps in Chinese medicine strengthens the kidneys. Studies have shown that much of Cordyceps' kidney-strengthening potential comes from its ability to increase levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-ketosteroids in the body. Measuring their levels provides an indication of adrenal function. The kidney-protective effects are mainly presented in three aspects: - Protection against chronic renal functional insufficiency; - Therapeutic effect on toxic renal injuries; - Reversal of the effects of glomerulonephritis in an animal model. All of these aspects have been demonstrated by a series of experiments with Cordyceps.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
Studies on Cordyceps have revealed its hypoglycemic potential. A compound extracted from this fungus, called CS-F30, was effective in reducing blood glucose in diabetic mice. Another compound, CS-F10, also showed positive effects by lowering glucose in diabetic mice and in mice with induced high glucose levels. But that's not all: Cordyceps also appears to positively influence cholesterol. It was found to decrease total cholesterol as well as LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and increase HDL (the "good" cholesterol) in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. These findings suggest that Cordyceps could be a natural ally for managing both diabetes and cholesterol issues.
Hepatoprotective
Animal tests and clinical research data have shown that Cordyceps has a protective effect on patients with liver conditions, particularly those with viral hepatitis A, chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and hepatic fibrosis. The bioactive components of Cordyceps responsible for liver protection are mainly Cordyceps polysaccharides. Although the content and efficacy of Cordyceps polysaccharides vary by species, they can improve the immunological functions of organ cells, eliminate harmful components, and thus reduce damage to liver cells. The effects include: - Protective effect on immune-related liver lesions; - Effect in patients with cirrhosis after hepatitis - Effect in patients with chronic hepatitis B; - Protective effect on liver fibrosis.
Energy booster
A recent study explored the effects of Cordyceps sinensis, a medicinal fungus, on stress and endurance. The researchers administered to rats a hot-water extract of Cordyceps at a dose of 150 mg/kg for one week. A notable reduction in biochemical markers of stress was observed. Among them, total cholesterol decreased, returning to levels comparable to those of unstressed rats. This normalization of cholesterol is an important indicator of the body's effective management of stress. Indeed, it has been shown that stress can contribute to an increase in LDL cholesterol, also known as "bad cholesterol". In addition, the extract had an impact on the weight of certain vital organs. The spleen, adrenal glands, and liver of the rats showed a less pronounced decrease in weight - respectively 24%, 91%, and 37% - compared with what is generally observed under stress. These organs play a crucial role in immune response, hormonal regulation, and metabolism, and maintaining their health is essential. Finally, the study also highlighted effects on endurance. With doses of 150 to 300 mg/kg of the extract, the rats were able to swim longer before becoming fatigued. The time to the onset of fatigue increased by about 12.5%, which suggests that Cordyceps could be beneficial for improving physical endurance.
Usages associés
Effect on fertility
Cordyceps has traditionally been used to enhance sexual function in men. nnEvidence shows that Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris can improve reproductive activity and restore impaired reproductive function. Administration of Cordyceps sinensis increased libido and sexual activity, and restored impaired reproductive function in men. These effects are related to increased plasma testosterone release via the cAMP (adenosine monophosphate)-protein kinase A signaling pathway. nnA protein in Cordyceps contributed to the observed hypotensive and vasorelaxant properties by enhancing the production of NO (nitric oxide), which could support erection, thereby improving sexual function.nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult: 1 g - 3 g
Cordyceps has been used in clinical trials at doses ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day in multiple doses taken with meals.
Interactions
Médicaments
Immunosuppressant: moderate interaction
Animal and in vitro research suggests that Cordyceps stimulates the immune system. However, limited clinical research suggests that taking Cordyceps may reduce the required therapeutic dose of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, which suggests that Cordyceps may have an immunosuppressive effect.
Precautions
Autoimmune diseases: avoid
In theory, Cordyceps could interfere with the management of autoimmune diseases by stimulating or suppressing immune function. It is recommended to consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting treatment with Cordyceps.
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data
Breastfeeding: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data
