As with many things internet based, a lot of information is copied and pasted, has a dash of creative license, a sprinkling of Chinese whispers and boom you have a new superfood or a superherb. When we select our products we look for the most effective and the very best quality. So we research, then research some more, and provide all of that research here, so that you can make up your own mind.
Organic Cordyceps has a very impressive line up of health benefits, below are the most prominent, but for further details, head over to their individual product pages.
ANTI-FATIGUE
Research suggests that Cordyceps militaris may help prevent post exercise fatigue and help promote endurance . (8)
IMMUNE SUPPORT
Research suggests that the polysaccharides from Cordyceps militaris have the ability to stimulate lymphocytes (white blood/immune cells in the lymphatic system), lymphocytes are the major soldiers in the lymphatic system. (1)
Further research found that the polysaccharides within Cordyceps militaris have the ability to increase T-lymphocytes (responsible for attacking viruses, fungi, cancer cells), B-lymphocytes (effective bacteria killers), natural killer cells and macrophages (cells that help kill bacteria and stimulate other immune responses). Also suggesting that cordyceps militaris may have the capacity to promote free radical scavenging, reducing oxidative stress and promoting immune function. (2)
Studies also suggests that Cordyceps militaris may help reduce the function of the immune system (down-regulate) by reducing the number of inflammatory cytokines, which could help in certain autoimmune diseases. (6)
A study from 2015, showed that extracted cordyceps militaris was able to reduce the proliferation of human tumor cells, suggesting great potential in the use for treatment against cancer. (9, 10)
HYPERGLYCEMIA
The compound cordycepin has been researched in a small group for its ability to have hypoglycemic effects, although the results were positive in the potential treatment of diabetes, it was suggested that further research was required. (3)
ANTI-TUMOR
The Cordyceps militaris compound cordycepin, has been suggested to be effective in the promotion of tutor cell apoptosis (death), although in the presence of xylitol this increased by up to 30%, suggesting further research was required in vivo. (4)
Cordyceps militaris extract was found to have the ability to inhibit angiogenesis in tutor cells as well as help root tumour cell death, with research suggesting that it may be effective in pretreatment or as a support along side drugs used in a clinical setting. (7)
LIVER HEALTH
By strengthening antioxidative activity and preventing mitochondria-controlled cell death (apoptosis), cordyceps militarism was able to support liver health. With high doses of cordyceps militaris having a similar action to the drug “silymarin”, suggesting that it may be effective in helping to treat liver disease. (5)
HORMONES (PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE)
Ophiocordyceps has been proven to increase the a free radical scavenging ability of Anti-oxidants — seek and find activity — protecting the athletes from oxidative stress. Studies also show that when supplemented with Reishi, over a 3 month period, the hormone testosterone) and the stress hormone (cortisol) ratios changed, which is great for athletes who are at risk of overtraining or overreaching in the lead up to an event.
Further studies suggest that supplementation improves;
- exercise performance by increasing the metabolism as well as extending the time before becoming out of breath,
- endurance by lowering fatigue, and
- cellular ATP production = useful energy! (Rather than CNS stimulation, and potential energy deficiency, via say caffeine)*.
*The Adenosine compound is required in ATP (adenosine triphosphate), ATP is responsible for the bodies energy production, studies suggest that Ophiocordyceps has the ability to aid ATP in energy metabolism, improving exercise performance and resisting fatigue. (13, 15, 18, 22, 23)
HORMONES (LIBIDO)
Traditionally, Ophiocordyceps has been used to enhance sexual function. Ongoing studies now suggest that it may have the ability to improve libido and sexual activity and repair reproductive function in both men and women. This is achieved via water extraction — more cups of tea! :)
Some studies suggest that it is over three times more effective in increasing libido of men, compared to a placebo. It has also been reported that treatment with Ophiocordyceps resulted in a 33% increase in sperm count. This increase has been attributed by some to nutrients within Ophiocordyceps, such as amino acids, vitamins, and zinc. (18)
BACTERIA (GUTT)
Ophiocordyceps when studied in respect of the immune function of the gutt, specifically the gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), it was shown that it may be helpful in reducing bad bacteria (salmonella sp. and E. coli) and increasing the good bacteria (Lactobacillus sp.), this was due to its phenomenal immune support and anti-inflammatory abilitites. (18)
NERVES / IMMUNE (COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE, FATIGUE and DEPRESSION)
Due to its immunomodulating and adaptogenic abilities, Ophiocordyceps has the ability to potentially aid in treating fatigue and depression—which often come hand in hand. This makes perfect sense, since energy levels can often be implicated by having a compromised immune system coupled with excessive inflammation because the body needs to work harder and thus you to feel less energised/fatigued. Once fatigued you are then less functional, mentally and physically, potentially leading to depression when you have chronic fatigue. Obviously fatigue is not caused or solved by one thing, but if we look beyond fatigue as the symptom and pay attention to the cause, the fatigue could be helped by regularly drinking a simple Ophiocordyceps tea, better still Reishi and Ophiocordyceps tea to support the immune system and help reduce inflammation. :)
Ophiocordyceps has also been linked to helping improve memory and have an anti-aging capacity via its anti-oxidative effects.
Through a more complex extraction Ophiocordyceps could potentially have an impact on the dopamine and adrenaline nervous systems, having a more direct effect as an anti-depressant. (16, 18, 32)
ANTI-OXIDANTS (ADAPTING TO STRESS)
Ophiocordyceps is also classified as an ADAPTOGEN which science suggests is any product than when consumed helps the body adapt to stress. Cordyceptin has been linked to the beneficial effects of Cordyceps regarding stress. (21)
Anti-oxidants play an important role in preventing the body being put under stress from oxidation. Science suggests that the high levels of polysaccharides (phenols and flavonoids), cordymin and melanin found in Ophiocordyceps could potentially provide anti-oxidative effects, coupled with studies also suggesting that Ophiocordyceps potentially increases the ability of anti-oxidants to scavenge free-radicals — seek and find activity — within the blood, it becomes the perfect product to protect athletes (and non-athletes alike) from oxidative stress.
Studies are also providing increasing evidence that the anti-oxidative compounds of Ophiocordyceps, when combined with a balanced diet, may be responsible for supporting the following effects:
- anti-aging,
- anti-inflammatory, and
- immunomodulating.
It is suggested that the best way to obtain these benefits is by making a tea, these anti-oxidant effects also appear to be present when extracted via alcohol. (11, 17, 18, 20, 23)
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