Cordyceps are a type of fungus, better known as a species of edible medicinal, nutritionally beneficial mushrooms. While closely related to other mushrooms, cordyceps aren’t technically the same as most mushrooms and instead are classified as a powerful form of Ascomycetes fungus.
Cordyceps are harvested in high mountain regions of the world, especially parts of the Himalayas in China, and are actually grown on the backs of caterpillars! Considered to be “exotic” healers, cordycep mushrooms have been mostly rare for much of history (considering they’re only found above altitudes of 3,800 meters above sea level during certain times of the year and in only certain parts of the world where these special caterpillars exist). Yet they have a reputation for being “a precious longevity-promoting herb.”
Research and Studies on Cordyceps
Prized for their natural ability to fight free radicals, infections and inflammation, cordyceps are impressive disease-fighting mushrooms that have been used for centuries to reduce symptoms of respiratory disorders, coughs, colds, liver damage and much more. They’re a true “superfood” in the way that they fight the effects of aging and stress, help keep the body free from disease, and also increase energy levels.
Cordycep fungus is parasitic in nature because it grows on a type of caterpillar and then winds up eating its own host! The base of the mushroom forms from the insect’s larva and is dark brown to black, attaching itself to the organism and growing about six inches long. Once it fully matures, cordyceps actually consume more than 90 percent of the infected insect. They then swell up and enlarge to become about 300–500 milligrams in weight.
The first people to discover cordyceps’ benefits initially observed animals eating the wild fungus and growing strong in the process. Farmers and herders began to use the fungus in powder form and to make tonics and teas. Some of the first uses for these tonics were increasing milk production and improving reproductive capacity of livestock. Later on, people began drying cordyceps in sunlight to preserve their benefits.
It’s believed that the many anti-inflammatory benefits of cordyceps come from their ability to positively affect the immune system, fighting oxidation damage, and stimulating protective cells that keep the body free from mutations (like cancerous cells) and infections. Studies have found that cordyceps can act like natural cancer treatments in some cases, preventing the growth of tumors (especially in the lungs and on the skin).
Considered a type of natural “immuno-potentiating drug,” corycep supplements are now used to bring the immune system back to normal following life-threatening infections or illnesses. Cordyceps can help control autoimmune disorders, excessive inflammation and tissue damage while speeding up healing time. Additionally, research shows that cordyceps can act like mild stimulants or “adaptogen herbs,” fighting stress or fatigue and naturally increasing energy levels. Some of the most researched benefits of corceyps also include improving athletic performance, increasing immunity against viruses and even promoting longevity.
In addition to fighting cancer, cordyceps are used to help treat:
-respiratory infections like chronic bronchitis
-coughs, colds and the flu
-reproductive problems and sexual dysfunction
-kidney disorders
-bladder infections and urination problems
-asthma
-hepatitis B
-low circulation and irregular heartbeats
-heart disease and high cholesterol
-liver disorders
-muscle weakness
-chronic fatigue syndrome and low energy
-dizziness
6 Benefits of Cordyceps
1. Increase Immune Function and Have Anti-Aging Effects
Pharmacological and biological studies have found that cordyceps positively impact immune function and benefit the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and reproductive systems. Cordyceps can help fight cancer and immunological disorders because they contain inflammation-lowering polysaccharides, modified nucleosides and cyclosporines. Animal studies have demonstrated benefits to heal autoimmune diseases like leaky gut syndrome and antitumor activity in various types of cancers when either synthetic or natural and cordycep supplements are administered.
Some evidence shows that taking cordyceps supplements during or following chemotherapy can lower symptoms of the treatment and increase the body’s defense mechanisms. There’s also evidence that they help restore normal fat mobilization and reduce oxidative damage, which contributes to nearly every chronic disease from heart disease to cognitive decline.
Research done by the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Peking University in Beijing found that cordycep extract supplements had anti-aging effects on mice and improved activity of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Cordyceps also lowered the level of lipid peroxidation and monoamine oxidase activity that contributed to aging in the mice. All results pointed to the fact that cordycep supplementation is effective for improving functioning of the brain, immune system and reproductive/sexual functions.
2. Improve Stamina and Athletic Performance
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine demonstrated that supplementation with Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improved exercise performance and contributed to overall markers of wellness in older adults. Considered an energizing adaptogen (similar to other superfood herbs like maca or cocoa), cordyceps can help fight fatigue, treat muscle aches and prevent weakness.
Several studies suggest that cordyceps can improve physical abilities, endurance and stamina partially because they boost the body’s supply of ATP, one of the primary sources of energy during exercises. Cordyceps contain adenosine, a type of nucleic acid that is a component needed to make ATP. One 2007 study done by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology found that higher production of ATP helped athletes keep up with intense workouts and extend the length of time they could stay active at a high level.
3. Act Like a Natural Aphrodisiac
Traditionally, people of both sexes took tonics made from cordyces to enhance their libidos and reproductive function. It appears that cordycep supplements can help the body utilize oxygen more efficiently and improve blood flow, which is important for physical health and sexual function. Improved endurance, anti-fatigue effects and lower levels of inflammation at the root of most diseases are several other reasons that cordyceps improve fertility. Thus, cordyceps can be utilized as a natural treatment for infertility and a natural remedy for impotence.
4. Fight Diabetes
Two active constituents in cordyceps, d-mannitol cordycepin and 3’-deoxyadenosine, are partially responsible for various physiological actions that help control insulin and blood sugar levels. In animal studies, cordycep supplements have helped combat hypoglycemic effects in normal and diabetic mice. This shows cordyceps may be useful to naturally treat diabetes.
5. Improve Liver Function and Detoxification
Cordyceps appear to help improve liver function, especially in people with damaged livers due to disorders like hepatitis B. Because the liver helps remove toxins from the body, enhanced liver function is one way that cordyceps positively impact the immune system.
Research done by the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Academy of Chinese Sciences found that cordyceps have positive influence on oxidative stress; energy metabolism; and amino acid, protein and choline metabolism thanks to their role in helping with digestive organ function. Over a period of eight weeks, metabolic disorders, signs of liver disease and heart damage in mice were significantly improved with daily oral administration of cordyceps.
One reason that positive effects of both the liver and heart were observed together is that a healthier liver also allows for better digestion and utilization of fatty acids, so therefore cordyceps are known to help improve triglyceride levels and benefit heart health.
6. Fight Respiratory Infections
Research has demonstrated that cordyceps help alleviate symptoms of several respiratory illnesses, including working as a natural remedy for chronic bronchitis, coughs and asthma. Supplementation can help improve detoxification and circulation so the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs improves.
In animal studies, cordyceps have also shown the ability to increase the number of T-helper cells that fight infections while not increasing the the number of T-suppressor cells. This makes them beneficial for speeding up the time it takes to fight off illness once an infection or virus sets in.
One of the 12 mushrooms that is present in C24/7 is Cordyceps. C24/7 is formulated by 200 doctors, herbalists and scientists of Nature's Way USA that can treat 100 types of diseases. It contains 22,000 phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are substance found in certain plants which is believed to be beneficial to human health and help prevent various diseases.
C24/7 is exclusively distributed by Alliance in Motion Global. You can buy this product in any branches or through me.
Article courtesy of Dr. Axe
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