What is the recommended dose of Cordyceps?

- **Look for:** Cordyceps militaris fruiting body extract; standardized to cordycepin (minimum 0.2%) and/or adenosine; beta-glucan content >25% - **Avoid:** "Cordyceps mycelium" grown on grain (55-...

Is Cordyceps safe to take daily?

Cordyceps is rated "Generally Safe" based on clinical evidence. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Cordyceps

MODERATE EVIDENCEAdaptogenLast updated

AVELOR SUMMARY

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus with a 1,500-year history in traditional Chinese medicine. Our research shows emerging evidence for exercise performance enhancement — a 2016 RCT found cordyceps militaris increased VO2 max by 7% in young adults after 3 weeks. The active compounds (cordycepin and adenosine analogs) genuinely affect oxygen utilization and ATP production. Wild Cordyceps sinensis costs $20,000-50,000/kg and is frequently counterfeited; the cultured Cordyceps militaris (CS-4 strain) is what's actually studied and commercially available.

WHAT IT DOES

Cordyceps' primary active compound is cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), which is structurally similar to adenosine — the molecule that forms the backbone of ATP (your cellular energy currency). Cordycepin increases cellular ATP production, improves oxygen delivery to muscles by upregulating erythropoietin (EPO) gene expression, and reduces lactate accumulation during exercise. It also modulates the immune system by activating NK cells and macrophages while reducing inflammatory cytokines. The CS-4 strain was developed after wild C. sinensis became unsustainably expensive and frequently adulterated.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Look for: Cordyceps militaris fruiting body extract; standardized to cordycepin (minimum 0.2%) and/or adenosine; beta-glucan content >25%
Avoid: "Cordyceps mycelium" grown on grain (55-65% starch); products claiming to be wild C. sinensis (almost certainly counterfeit at consumer prices); unstandardized powder
Minimum effective dose: 1,000mg/day standardized extract
Third-party tested brands: Real Mushrooms, Nammex (both use fruiting body, test for beta-glucans)

Scan a supplement containing Cordyceps

SAFETY PROFILE

Critical Interactions (Do Not Combine Without Medical Supervision)

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

Theoretical/Low-Risk Interactions

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Cordyceps

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Cordyceps

MODERATE EVIDENCEAdaptogenLast updated

AVELOR SUMMARY

WHAT IT DOES

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Look for: Cordyceps militaris fruiting body extract; standardized to cordycepin (minimum 0.2%) and/or adenosine; beta-glucan content >25%
Avoid: "Cordyceps mycelium" grown on grain (55-65% starch); products claiming to be wild C. sinensis (almost certainly counterfeit at consumer prices); unstandardized powder
Minimum effective dose: 1,000mg/day standardized extract
Third-party tested brands: Real Mushrooms, Nammex (both use fruiting body, test for beta-glucans)

Scan a supplement containing Cordyceps

SAFETY PROFILE

Critical Interactions (Do Not Combine Without Medical Supervision)

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

Theoretical/Low-Risk Interactions

RELATED RESEARCH

AshwagandhaReduces stress and cortisol

Astragalus

AstragalusAstragalus contains active compounds including astragaloside IV, cycloastragenol

Cordyceps

Scan Your Cordyceps Supplement Browse all ingredients

Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Discover More

Explore

Browse All 834 Ingredients Browse All 20 Conditions