Good Lifestyle

Cordyceps is a highly precious mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine. According to a certified dietician nutritionistDr. Kelly Bay DC, CNS, CDN. It has always been used to treat inflammation and skin impurities and strengthen sports performance and immune system. Recently, the adapted mushroom has been trendy in the wellness and fitness community to discover how to use it for daily well-being and health benefits.

What is Cordyceps?

There are more than 400 species of Cordyceps, but there are supreme for its medicinal properties. Scientificly known as Ophiocordyceps Sinensis, this type of Cordyceps has obtained its familiar name "Caterpillar fungus" because it is a parasitic fungus typically harvested Caterpillar larvae.

With its long-term body and Orange-Ish body, the wild fungus looks like something you would see from scuba diving. And although it can be harvested and transformed into powder or an additional pill, most cordyceps we see at the pharmacy do not come from the ground - they come from the laboratory.

Nutritionist of the daily harvestAmy Shapiro MS, Rd, CDNExplains: "Real cordyceps are hard to harvest and would cost you more than $ 9,000 per book. Cordyceptés synthetically made the supplement more accessible and much cheaper."

What are the health benefits of Cordyceps?

Although more research is needed in conclusive evidence of Cordyceps's benefits, Mr. Bay says that preliminary research on the mushroom has shown a promise. Here are five of its best-known health benefits.

This can improve sports performance

Cordyceps are better known for their ability to strengthen the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which our body uses for energy. This, according to Shapiro, "gives our muscles more energy to use during the exercise and can therefore improve performance during exercise".

A small study published in theChinese newspaper of integrative medicine suggests that it is true. The researchers divided the participants into two groups: those who received 3 grams of cordyceps a day and those who received a placebo. After 60 days, while those who took the placebo saw no change, those who took Cordyceps had increased their measure VO2 max-a measure used to establish sports endurance - 7%.

And good news if you like going hard during HIIT or CROSSFIT: a second study published in theDietary supplement newspaper Also found that Cordyceps can increase performance during high-intensity exercise.

This can reduce signs of aging

Mushrooms may not be a great adding to a care or beauty routine, but because of theirHigh antioxidant contentThey are effective. Antioxidants help protect our body with harmful compounds called free radicals, which accelerate the aging process. By using Cordyceps increases antioxidant admission, which has beenRelated to anti-aging and improving hair, skin and health of nails.

This can help manage diabetes

It sounds strange, but Cordyceps can help handle diabetes. Shapiro explains: "Cordyceps is designed to imitate insulin-The hormone that manages blood sugar levels. Therefore, it can maintain blood glucose in a healthy beach. "

In addition, by balancing blood sugar levels, Cordyceps supplements can help reduce sugar desires and therefore support a healthy diet and weight loss.

It can have anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation is the response of the immune system to all it interprets as irritating or harmful to the body. Although some inflammations are good, too long periods can result in inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.

Cordyceps, however, is thought ofreduce inflammation. "Cordyceps reduces the expression of inflammatory genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF, IL8 and COX2", explains Dr. Bay. The result? A less systemic inflammation and therefore a reduced risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

It can be good for your heart

In China, Cordyceps is aApproved treatment for cardiac arrhythmia, a condition marked by an irregular pattern of heartbeat. "Its anti-inflammatory properties are considered beneficial for people dealing with heart disease because heart disease is fundamentally a chronic inflammatory infection," says Dr. Bay.

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Are there any side effects to take Cordyceps?

Due to its long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, Dr. Bay says that it is prudent to assume that Cordyceps is usually well tolerated by man, as long as it comes from a high quality source.

However, as this could interact with some prescription drugs, it is best to consult your doctor before adding Cordyceps to your routine, says Shapiro, which adds: "This supplement is not recommended for pregnant women or for people having autoimmunic problems. "

The most common side effect is digestive discomfort, she says, so if you encounter bloating, diarrhea or abdominal cramps, stop taking it.

How to buy and take Cordyceps

Tins and capsules with powders and teas, you can find Cordyceps under a variety of shapes. Because most CORDYCEPS supplements are not approved by the FDA, Shapiro says: "It's important to look at the label and make sure they have been tested by third parties."

Shapiro is a fan of powdered supplements as they can be mixed in smoothies, coffee, cookies and more. Generally, the recommended amount per serving is 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams a day. Shapiro suggests taking it systematically a few weeks before determining whether or not it works for you because the adaptogens must be accumulated in the system before noting an effect.

To start with Cordycepps supplements, you may want to tryFour sigmatic mushroom coffee, which contains cords,Four Cordyceps of Sigmatic Elixiror cordyceps of daily harvest - infusedBowl of chickpeas and harvest za'atar.