Cordyceps For Fat Loss And Energy
Cordyceps Sinensis | Cordyceps Militaris
Sinensis | Militaris
The Origins Of Cordyceps
The word cordyceps as it is referred to in the health and fitness world is in actuality a name that covers about 600 different species of fungi. Most of them are parasites that feed off of insects and arthropods for survival. The process is something out of an alien movie and we can only be grateful that it has an appetite for insects and not humans. The most famous of the hundreds of cordyceps species is a variety called cordyceps sinensis. It’s found in high altitude environments in the Himalayas, where it attacks and grows on the back of caterpillars.
It’s this cordyceps that first carved its way into the global consciousness when, in 1993, several Chinese olympic athletes obliterated previously held records and credited the parasitic fungus for their ability to do so. (1) It was later found that these athletes were also doping in conjunction with the cordyceps, but the impact of that story reverberated strongly enough that we’re still talking about it today. Subsequent research on cordyceps has at least supported the idea that even if the steroids were responsible for the performance of those gold medalists, they weren’t solely responsible. The cordyceps also played a role.
However, the cordyceps that those athletes used is not the version that most of us paupers consume when we buy cordyceps supplements in the 21st century. The wild grown, high altitude cordyceps procured for them by the Chinese government is way too cost prohibitive for your average weekend warrior to buy. It runs for about $50,000 for one kilogram, or about $10 for one single piece. (1)
There’s no need to worry though. The two versions that are accessible to the general public are just as potent at a fraction of the cost.
The first one is known as the CS-4 strain and it is the same cordyceps sinensis species as the wild grown variety. The naturally occurring compounds of the two are virtually identical. The difference is that the CS-4 strain is produced in a lab under controlled conditions so you can rest assured that no caterpillars were sacrificed for the making of your supplement.
The second is a different strain called cordyceps militaris. Some critics of cordyceps militaris who are purists or supplement hipsters will argue that it’s not the real deal cordyceps and only a cheap imitation that is used by supplement companies because it’s easily mass produced. That’s an interesting viewpoint but the scientific research doesn’t support it. While cordyceps militaris is a different strain and doesn’t contain exactly the same compounds in the same proportions, it does have a lot of overlap with its “sinensis sister”. More importantly, studies have shown that it has many of the same benefits in regards to physical performance and health. Check out the third and fourth tabs for more on this.
The Unique Nutritional Profile Of Cordyceps
Although the two cordyceps species used to produce the supplements that are available on the market contain many of the same ingredients, they are not identical. Moreover, the different sections of both fungi have different concentrations of various nutrients, with the main differentiation being between the mycelium and the fruiting body. The former can be considered the “roots” of the organism, while the latter is the “mushroom” part. Although in the case of cordyceps, it’s not really a mushroom in the traditional sense, so there’s no stem and cap, but you can think of the fruiting body as the meat of the organism. It’s everything above the mycelium (roots).
Cordyceps Sinensis
Polysaccharides make up between 3–8% of the total weight of a given sample of cordyceps sinensis and are responsible for many, but not all of the benefits derived from consuming it.
Cordyceps sinensis also has nucleosides, including adenine, adenosine, inosine, cytidine, cytosine, guanine, uridine, thymidine, uracil, hypoxanthine, and guanosine.
In addition, both wild and cultured cordyceps sinensis has nucleobases, including cytosine, uracil, thymine, adenine, guanine, and hypoxanthine.
Cordyceps sinensis also contains nucleotides, including uridine-5′-monophosphate (UMP), adenosine-5′-monophosphate (AMP), and guanosine-5′-monophosphate (GMP). Eighteen different amino acids, sterols, protease enzymes, cordycepic acid, and some interesting peptides, including cordymin, cordycedipeptide A and cordyceamides A and B are some of the other compounds found in the sinensis variety of cordyceps. (2)
Cordyceps Militaris
Cordyceps Militaris has been shown to contain amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, adenosine, and cordycepin. There were also differences in the concentrations of these compounds between the mycelium and the fruiting body. (3)
The specific amino acids founds in cordyceps militaris include aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, arginine, threonine, alanine, proline, tyrosine, valine, methionine, lysine, isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine. (3)
The fatty acids include palmitic acid, palmitoeic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. (3)
Why Cordyceps Is An Effective Performance Enhancer
Both cordyceps sinensis and cordyceps militaris have research behind them that demonstrates their ability to enhance athletic performance.
Cordyceps Sinensis
In a 6-week, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial done on 37 healthy, elderly Chinese people, some were randomly given 3 grams of the CS-4 strain of cordyceps every day, while the other group received a placebo. The participants’ exercise performance was tested at the beginning of the study and again upon the end of the 6 weeks. The cordyceps group significantly improved their performance based on various metrics, while the placebo group demonstrated no change. The results support the idea that the CS-4 cordyceps strain has the potential to improve aerobic capacity and increase resistance to fatigue. (4)
Another Chinese study done on mice – also double-blind and placebo-controlled – investigated whether consumption of cordyceps results in enhanced endurance and resistance to fatigue. After 3 weeks of observance, the groups given CS-4 cordyceps were able to swim significantly longer than the control groups. Another interesting layer of this study was that the results were dose-dependent, with results of one group showing a 30% increase in endurance while the second group showed a 73% increase in endurance. (5)
A third study done on rats conducted over the course of 15 days in 2011 concluded that:
Cordyceps sinensis supplementation with or without exercise improves exercise endurance capacity by activating the skeletal muscle metabolic regulators and a coordinated antioxidant response. Consequently, cordyceps sinensis can be used as a potent natural exercise mimetic. (6)
A fourth study done in 1998 was conducted to test the effects of cordyceps on physical performance. The researchers found that the group given the most amount of cordyceps experienced the highest improved lactate clearance. They came to the conclusion that lactate clearance improved due to improved lactate energy metabolism within the cell. The enhanced lactate clearance allows for greater anaerobic physical performance in athletes. (5)
Cordyceps Militaris
One human study of cordyceps militaris found that it lengthened the time to exhaustion and increased aerobic capacity during high-intensity exercise. This effect was seen in as little as only a few days but was more pronounced after three weeks of daily cordyceps intake. Thus concluding that supplementing for a longer duration of time had a stronger effect. (7)
In another study, mice were given forced swimming and forced running tests. The mice treated with cordyceps had increased ATP levels. (ATP, which stands for adenosine triphosphate, is a chemical that provides energy to our cells for things like muscle contraction.) The treated mice also had lower levels of lactic acid relative to untreated mice. (8)
Does Cordyceps Burn Fat?
One of the key components of cordyceps is a compound called cordycepin. In a 2018 study, researchers concluded that it reduces body weight gain and fat accumulation around the epididymis and the kidneys of rats fed a high-fat diet. Furthermore, they found that cordycepin modifies the relative abundance of healthy intestinal bacteria in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats. (9) The more healthy gut bacteria one has, the more efficient their digestion will be – not to mention the immune system benefits.
Another study done on cordycepin demonstrated that it was able to help convert white adipose tissue (“bad fat”) into brown adipose tissue (calorie-burning “good fat”). (10)
Beyond the specific studies done on the fat-burning potential of cordyceps is the fact that its validated use as a performance enhancer means that when you combine it with a regular exercise routine, that you’ll be able to workout longer and possibly with greater intensity. That alone means that you’ll be burning more calories during your exercise sessions.
Does Cordyceps Work For Those Who Are Already Really Fit?
Cordyceps has some scientific evidence behind its use an effective ergogenic aid and lots of anecdotal evidence as well. However, at least one study appears to show that in well-trained athletes, the performance enhancing benefits were non-existent. In 2004, 22 trained male cyclists consumed 3 grams a day of the cordyceps CS-4 strain. Training intensity was maintained by weekly documentation and reporting throughout the 5 weeks. At the end of the study, the researchers concluded that 5 weeks of supplementing with the cordyceps CS-4 strain had no effect on the aerobic capacity or endurance exercise performance of the endurance-trained male cyclists. (11)
The takeaway from the above study is that if you’re already a very fit individual, then the performance enhancing benefits of taking cordyceps may not be as apparent to you as they would be for a weekend warrior or your average Joe or Jane. That’s not to say that you wouldn’t experience any benefits. After all, cordyceps has a lot to offer beyond its ergogenic capabilities, but it’s something to be aware of if you fall under the category of well trained athlete. You may not get quite the boost that your friend who just started working out 3 months ago will get.
When Trying Cordyceps For The First Time
Separate from the above, if it’s your first time trying cordyceps, it’s probably a good idea to ease into it with a small dose. Since one its functions is to improve the body’s ability to utilize oxygen, this could make sensitive individuals feel dizzy when they first experience it. This is obviously not the effect you’re aiming for, so start small and assess your tolerance before fully committing to it.
Try These Cordyceps Supplements Before Your Next Workout
The three cordyceps options we’ve included below all offer something different. As was mentioned in the “what’s in cordyceps” section, the two cordyceps species and their various parts (mycelium vs. fruiting body) all contain different proportions of plant compounds. If you get lost in the rabbit hole of googling cordyceps articles, you’ll eventually stumble upon people getting into entire arguments about which species or parts of the fungus are superior. So much of it is subjective and the only way to know what works best for you is to try it.
For this reason, you’ll find two cordyceps militaris supplements below, where one is made from the mycelium and the other from the fruiting bodies. You’ll also find the popular CS-4 cordyceps sinensis strain, which is supposed to be biologically almost identical to the wild cordyceps found growing on the backs of caterpillars in the Himalayan mountains. Pick whichever appeals to you and let us know on Instagram how it worked out. Use #fatburnfitness in your post, story or reel.
The Best Cordyceps Supplements To Give You More Energy
The first is produced using the mycelium (roots) of the cordyceps mushroom. The second is made from the fruiting bodies (the “meat”). The third is made from the potent CS-4 strain which most closely resembles the wild Tibetan cordyceps that is too expensive for most people to purchase.
Cordyceps Militaris Made From Mycelium
Host Defense Cordyceps Militaris 500mg
120 Vegan Capsules
Caffeine-Free Energy Boost
Increases Oxygen Utilization
Improves Athletic Endurance
Great For Kidney Health
Cordyceps Militaris Made From Fruiting Bodies
Gaia Herbs Cordyceps
450mg (+ Beta Glucans 91mg)
40 Vegan Capsules
Pure Cordyceps With No Fillers
Made From Fruiting Bodies Only
Very Potent Caffeine-Free Energy Boost
Aphrodisiac Properties
Cordyceps Sinensis CS-4 Strain From Mycelium
MRM Nutrition Cordyceps CS-4 Strain 750mg
60 Vegan Capsules
Standardized For Active Ingredients
Potent CS-4 Strain
Closest To Expensive, Wild Cordyceps
Strong Natural Pre-Workout
The Best Cordyceps Supplements
To Give You More Energy
The 1st - mycelium (roots) from c. militaris
The 2nd - fruiting bodies from c. militaris
The 3rd - mycelium from c. sinensis (CS-4)
Cordyceps Militaris Made From Mycelium (The Roots)
Host Defense Cordyceps Militaris 500mg
120 Vegan Capsules
Caffeine-Free Energy Boost
Increases Oxygen Utilization
Improves Athletic Endurance
Great For Kidney Health
Cordyceps Militaris Made From Fruiting Bodies
Gaia Herbs Cordyceps
450mg (+ Beta Glucans 91mg)
40 Vegan Capsules
Pure Cordyceps With No Fillers
Made From Fruiting Bodies Only
Very Potent Caffeine-Free Energy Boost
Aphrodisiac Properties
Cordyceps Sinensis CS-4 Strain From Mycelium
MRM Nutrition Cordyceps CS-4 Strain 750mg
60 Vegan Capsules
Standardized For Active Ingredients
Potent CS-4 Strain
Closest To Expensive, Wild Cordyceps
Natural Pre-Workout
If you want a non-caffeinated energy booster that comes with a myriad of other benefits, including the ability to aid in weight loss, then cordyceps is an excellent choice. Elite level athletes aside, you’ll also likely feel an immediate difference. There are some supplements you know work because you can measure your performance before and after.
Creatine is a good example of that. Most people who take it report that it improves their strength, but it’s not really a substance that you “feel” in your body aside from maybe a bigger pump during your workout. On the other hand, cordyceps is a supplement that both works but that also produces a noticeable physiological effect.
Depending on your personal preference, this could be a good thing or a bad thing. Some people like that pre-workout rush sensation because they find it helps them push through their routines, but others may find it distracting. If you fall in the latter camp, you can consider cutting the dose if you find that it’s too strong for you. This way you’ll still get some of the benefit but in a way that best supports your unique needs.
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