Cordyceps Perform (Cordyceps sinensis) 

• Mushroom for Energy
• Mushroom for Adaptogenic Support

Mushrooms are all around us, they are the true communicators in nature. Medicinal mushrooms have been used globally for thousands of years for their health benefits and can provide the missing link to support our health and well-being. Each medicinal mushroom has its own unique set of compounds to support health, let’s learn more about cordyceps:

Meet the Mushroom

Cordyceps’ benefits have been celebrated for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Naturally occurring cordyceps is difficult to obtain, expensive, and not widely used, so scientists figured out how to reproduce cordyceps on organic grains under nature-identical conditions, to provide an identical chemical profile to its wild form. Improvements in cultivation techniques mean it is now possible to grow cordyceps sinensis under nature-identical conditions, just like cordyceps militaris. Known for its wide range of health-promoting properties, cordyceps has become a sought-after natural remedy for various ailments.

History

Also known as the ‘Emperor’s mushroom’, cordyceps has been long used in religious ceremonies and linked to longevity and immortality. The first people to discover cordyceps’ benefits initially observed animals eating the mushroom and growing strong in the process. Farmers and herders then began to use cordyceps to make tonics and teas to promote strength and vitality. It was traditionally used for respiratory health and has also been used to support kidney health, and to enhance libido and reproductive function.

Benefits: Why you should use it?

• Energy: Studies show increases in oxygen uptake, aerobic capacity, and resistance to fatigue (especially beneficial for elderly, recovery from illness, and athletic performance). Cordyceps can naturally support energy levels. 
• Sports Performance: Studies show one of the key ways cordyceps enhances energy levels is by increasing the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that stores and transfers energy within cells, helping to improve energy levels, and reduce fatigue. It has also been shown to reduce the build-up of lactic acid in the muscles, helping to improve exercise recovery and reduce muscle soreness.
• Adaptogen: Cordyceps is an adaptogen which helps to bring balance to the body. Studies have shown participants were better able to withstand stress when they took cordyceps compared to when they didn’t.
• Libido: Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to support sexual function. Several studies have looked into the effects of cordyceps on libido and sexual health suggesting it may increase levels of male sex hormones, and improve sperm quality and quantity. 

Key Actives

• Adenosine: Rich in nucleosides/tides. The content of adenosine is much higher in cultured cordyceps than wild. Adenosine is used throughout the entire body in metabolism.
• Polysaccharides: Cordyceps is rich in polysaccharides like beta-glucans which are immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory.

Product Info

Our Organic Cordyceps Perform uses the full-spectrum biomass grown on organic sorghum as the preferred medium for this mushroom. It is grown for 120 days, as opposed to the standard 30 days, exhausting the substrate and providing a more concentrated profile of beta-glucans and other key compounds. 

It has a minimum of 15% beta glucans, and 208ug adenosine to support energy, and sports performance. 

FULL SPECTRUM: Our limited edition range are ideally suited for modern day lifestyle and stresses. They are less therapeutic than our pure grade range, but contain additional nutrients for a wider spectrum of action and are our most popular products. We use a combination of mushroom parts including the young fruiting bodies, mycelium, and the fermented mushroom medium to provide a full-spectrum profile of nutrients. 

How to use

Capsules: Adults take 2 capsules, 1-3 times a day with or without food or try adding the powder from the capsules into a smoothie. 

Powder: Take 1g 1-4 times a day. Cordyceps has a mild nutty flavour, you can make a tasty tea using the powder, add it to your matcha, coffee, smoothies, and breakfast bowls.

FAQs

When is the best time to take it? : Cordyceps is best taken earlier in the day, or pre-workout for sustained energy. Regular consumption of cordyceps can help you take advantage of its health benefits.

Are there any side effects? : Cordyceps is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, dry mouth, or stomach discomfort.

Are there any interactions? : Cordyceps may interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, and antidiabetic drugs. We would advise anyone on any medication, of those who are pregnant/breastfeeding to check with their healthcare practitioner.

Do you test the product? : Yes, it is third party tested, COA are available on request.

Is the cordyceps vegan? : Yes, the cordyceps is vegan and grown on organic sorghum. The majority of cordyceps is now grown on non-insect, grain based substrates which has improved quality control and affordability. HPLC analysis shows identical chemical profiles to wild cordyceps, and the two are interchangeable clinically.

Why do you source from China? : The use of medicinal mushrooms was a cornerstone in Traditional Chinese Medicine and this practice dates back thousands of years. No country has more extensive knowledge than China in the growing and extraction of mushrooms. China is also home to some of the vastest and most pristine forests in the world, which provide the ideal environment for mushrooms to grow. It is universally agreed, through ongoing DNA analysis, that China continue to grow the best quality mushrooms in the world.

What is the difference between cordyceps sinensis and militaris? : The main difference between cordyceps sinensis and cordyceps militaris is in the concentrations of 2 compounds: adenosine and cordycepin. Studies have shown that Cordyceps sinensis contains more adenosine than cordyceps militaris, but no cordycepin which militaris contains.

What is the difference between this product and the Pure Grade Cordyceps? : This is a full spectrum product, it has less of a therapeutic target than the Pure Grade Cordyceps but it has a wider spectrum of compounds and actions for more general health. The sinensis strain in this product is rich in adenosine and means it is more geared towards energy support and exercise.

Combine with

Cordyceps Perform can be taken on its own or combined with other supplements and functional foods for synergistic effects. Combine with other adaptogens like ashwagandha to support the bodies stress response, or combine with beetroot, or caffeine for a pre-workout boost.

Fungi Fact

Cordyceps made headlines in 1993 after Chinese athletes smashed many track and field world records- claiming the secret to their enhanced performance was the cordyceps mushroom the team had been using.