Best Cordyceps Supplement At A Glance
Best Cordyceps Powder
Real Mushrooms Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder
All Real Mushroom products contain 100% organic mushroom extract and this product is made through hot water extraction.
Best Cordyceps Capsule
Real Mushrooms Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Capsules
Just like the powder version, these capsules contain organic Cordyceps militaris mushroom extract.
Runner-Up For Best Cordyceps Capsules
Double Wood Supplements Cordyceps Mushroom Extract
These capsules contain 7% standardized Cordyceps mushroom extract with mycelium.
Best Cordyceps Elixir
Four Sigmatic Cordyceps Elixir
This powder can be mixed with coffee, coconut water, or any drink of choice and tastes like berry tea.
Best Cordyceps Tincture
Host Defense CordyChi Extract
This extract is made of organic Cordyceps mycelium and fruitbodies.
Runner-Up For Best Cordyceps Powder
Om Mushroom Superfood Cordyceps Organic Mushroom Powder
This powder is made of 100% organic mushroom Cordyceps militaris fruit body and mycelial biomass powder.
Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that is native to China and other Asian countries. For decades, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to boost energy and enhance stamina, and it has also been used as a part of cancer treatment more recently.
There are 400 Cordyceps species, but the most common species used for medical purposes is Cordyceps sinensis. These cordyceps mushrooms, also known as Himalayan Gold, are highly valued, reaching $20,000 per kilogram.
Cordyceps is extensively researched and has made its way to the US market in the form of dietary supplements within the last few years. Here, we’ll delve deeper into the main health benefits of cordyceps and review where to find the best cordyceps supplements today.
What Are Cordyceps Mushroom Supplements?
Most cordyceps mushroom supplements contain Cordyceps CS-4 which is derived from an engineered fungal culture that replicates the biological characteristics of C. sinensis. Despite being synthetically derived, cordyceps supplements work in the same way that the actual cordyceps mushroom does.
The recommended daily dosage is 1,000 mg – 2,000 mg, taken on an empty stomach or one hour before exercising. Taking more than 2,000mg is presumably safe since some people take up to 3,000mg, however, side effects are most likely to occur at higher doses.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Cordyceps?
Improves Exercise Performance
Cordyceps mushroom boosts the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which delivers energy to the muscles. This process allows the body to maximize oxygen usage, especially during exercise.
A 2010 study looked at the effects of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4) on exercise performance in healthy older people in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The study results showed that after 12 weeks of taking Cs-4, their metabolic threshold increased by 10.5%, and their ventilator threshold increased by 8.5%. The researchers concluded that taking Cordyceps sinensis improves exercise performance and contributes to overall wellness.
Despite this, there is still a lack of research on the long-term effects of supplementation, and the results may not be effective for well-trained or elite athletes.
Diabetes Management
For years, cordyceps has been used to treat diabetes in China, though studies have yielded conflicting results. A study published in 2011 investigated the extract’s potential hypoglycemic and renoprotective effects on a diabetic mouse model.
Each mouse was fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce hyperglycemia, followed by four weeks of administration of C. sinensis. The findings show that CS treatment did not result in noticeable improvements in hyperglycemia or insulin resistance, although CS protects pancreatic beta cells from the toxic effects of Streptozotocin.
Thus, this study showed that cordyceps can preserve beta-cell function and provide renoprotection, both of which are promising therapies for type 2 diabetes.
Slows Tumor Growth
Cordyceps has been found to slow tumor growth through its active compound cordycepin. This compound inhibits polyadenylation that activates AMP-activated protein kinase and anti-inflammatory activities. Hence, there is a decrease in tumor cell proliferation and induction of tumor cell apoptosis.
In a 2007 study, researchers observed the inhibitory effects of ethyl acetate extract of C. sinensis mycelium on various cancer cells. In an animal test, the acetate extract inhibited B16-induced melanoma in mice, causing about a 60% reduction in tumor size in 27 days. The results suggested that CS fungal mycelium has potent anti-tumor activity and could be a source of natural anti-tumor products.
Our Reviews Of The Best Cordyceps Supplement Including Cordyceps Capsules, Powder, And More
Best Cordyceps Powder
Real Mushrooms Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder
All Real Mushroom products contain 100% organic mushroom extract. As the brand suggests, Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder is hot water extracted from Cordyceps militaris mushroom.
This extract powder pouch contains 60 servings and provides 1,000mg per serving. It’s recommended for adults to take ½ teaspoon or 1 gram of cordyceps mushroom extract powder per day.
You can mix this cordyceps powder with water or whatever you prefer for better ingestion. It’s also gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan-friendly.
Best Cordyceps Capsules
Real Mushrooms Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Capsules
Real Mushroom capsules, like Real Mushroom extract powder, contain 100% Cordyceps militaris mushroom extract. Each capsule is made from certified organic mushrooms that are gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan.
The mushroom capsules also do not contain any starch, mycelium, or grain, ensuring the product’s purity. The only other ingredients used are hypromellose (vegetable capsule), silicon dioxide, and microcrystalline cellulose.
One bottle contains 120 capsules, with two capsules recommended for each serving. Each capsule contains 1000mg of extract, and adults should take two capsules per day as a dietary supplement.
Cordyceps capsules are the best choice if you don’t want to mix the mushroom with water, but they still contain pure extract. So, whether you use powder or capsules by Real Mushrooms is a matter of personal preference.
Runner-Up For Best Cordyceps Capsules
Double Wood Supplements Cordyceps Mushroom Extract
Double Wood Cordyceps Capsules contain 7% standardized cordyceps mushroom extract with mycelium.
This supplement is manufactured in the United States and comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. The capsules have also been third-party tested to ensure that they are non-GMO, vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free.
The recommended daily dose is 1,000mg -2,000mg (2-4 capsules) taken on an empty stomach. If you plan to use cordyceps to boost exercise performance, it’s best to take the supplement one hour before exercising.
Most importantly, each container has 210 capsules, which can last for more than 100 days if taken twice daily.
Best Cordyceps Elixir
Four Sigmatic Cordyceps Elixir
Four Sigmatic described their elixir as a “secret weapon” for boosting performance in training or life.
Their product is a powder that is mixed with coffee or coconut water and it tastes like berry tea, not like any culinary mushroom flavor. It is also completely vegan, with no caffeine or energy components added.
The cordyceps elixir pack contains 20 sachets/servings, and each serving provides 1,500 mg of cordyceps.
Best Cordyceps Tincture
Host Defense CordyChi Extract
Host Defense CordyChi Extract is made of organic cordyceps mycelium and fruitbodies.
It is a unique combination of fresh Cordyceps militaris, fresh reishi, and dried reishi that is not found in any other product. Of course, these are all organic and sustainably grown in the United States.
Each bottle contains 60mL of extract, and it is recommended to take 1 mL or 45 drops twice a day.
Host Defense considers the process flexible and fast-acting, but it’s up to you whether you prefer taking one with a spoon rather than a dropper.
Runner-Up For Best Cordyceps Powder
Om Mushroom Superfood Cordyceps Organic Mushroom Powder
OM Organic Cordyceps powder is made of 100% organic mushroom Cordyceps militaris fruit body and mycelial biomass powder. These components are commonly cultured as organic oats for energy and stamina.
As a result, OM Cordyceps provides overall support in vitality and endurance. It increases circulation to support cardiac function and respiratory health by optimizing oxygen uptake.
It comes in a 7.05-ounce pouch with a total of 100 servings. The manufacturer recommends adding one teaspoon (2 grams) daily to smoothies, recipes, or coffee. But, for optimal support, they recommend taking two teaspoons (4 grams) daily.
Also read our article on the best lion’s mane supplement.
Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.
