Study 1 - Immune System
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Study 1
EvidenceStudy type:
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial
PurposeAsses the immune-enhancing effects of Cordyceps militaris in healthy male adults.
Dose:
1.5 g/day of Cordyceps militaris or placebo
Participants:
80 healthy men aged 19-64 years
Duration:
4 weeks -
Summary of Results:
Cordyceps militaris supplementation had positive effects on the immune system of healthy adult males. Participants who took a daily dose of 1.5 g of Cordyceps militaris showed increased levels of cytokines, which are small proteins that regulate the immune response. Specifically, it increased the number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system and elevated levels of T-helper cell 1 cytokines, which enhance immune responses. Notably, Cordyceps militaris was found to be safe with no reported side effects.
Study 2 - Performance Enhancment
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Study 2
EvidenceStudy type:
Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial
Purpose:
To examine the effect of cordyceps sinensis on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects.
Dose:
999 mg/day of cordyceps sinensis (3 x 333 mg capsules) or placebo
Participants:
20 males and females, aged 50-75 years
Duration:
12 weeks -
Summary of Results
During a three-week period of taking the supplements, the researchers noticed that the participants' maximal oxygen consumption improved. This means that their aerobic capacity, or their body's ability to perform endurance activities, improved.
There were also indications of potential improvements in the ventilatory threshold and time to exhaustion, indicating improved endurance and the ability to sustain higher exercise intensities for a longer duration. These findings suggest that longer-term or chronic supplementation with Cordyceps militaris may benefit exercise performance
Study 3 - Performance Enhancement
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Study 3
Study type:
Rodent study
Purpose:To evaluate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis supplementation on exercise endurance of rats.
Dose:200 mg/kg body weight of Cordyceps sinensis mycelia powder or control
Duration
15 days
Additional intervention:
The exercise groups were subjected to swimming training for 15 days (6 days a week) -
Summary of Results
Cordyceps sinensis treatment with and without exercise significantly improved swimming endurance in rats, by 2.9-fold in rats who exercised and 1.79-fold in rats who did not exercise, compared to placebo rats. Additionally, the study found that treatment with Cordyceps sinensis resulted in increased expression of skeletal muscle metabolic regulators. These regulators are proteins and enzymes that help regulate important metabolic processes within muscle cells, indicating an enhancement in the metabolic activity of the muscles. These findings suggest that Cordyceps sinensis supplementation can improve muscle performance and metabolic regulation, even without exercise, providing molecular evidence of its beneficial effects.