Health Science Navigation: Discovering The Benefits Of Cordyceps and Maitake Mushrooms
By Damien Bové
Welcome to the very latest ADACT Medical e-news. ADACT Medical is a leading authority in analysis, testing and compliance, regulatory, cutting-edge research across a range of health-related fields, including:
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Here, we bring you the most recent research from the above fields and beyond as well as keeping you up to date on regulatory news. These e-news are designed to help you sort the facts from the fiction and get to the root of what’s really happening in the complex health and wellbeing landscape.
This issue, authored by Damien Bové, founder of ADACT Medical focusses on the science behind the fungal superfood of the future – mushrooms – and their associated health benefits, specifically of Cordyceps and Maitake mushrooms.
Mushrooms – escalating in popularity
Mushrooms are continuing to grow in popularity, particularly specialty varieties like Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi and Cordyceps. Mushrooms as a whole align well with the growing interest in plant-rich diets and sustainability with consumers becoming more and more environmentally conscious. Their increased availability and versatility in cooking coupled with a growing awareness of their health benefits is contributing to their popularity. And the Chelsea Flower Show this year included a mushroom in its plant of the year short list for the first time.[1]
Several health benefits associated with various specialty mushrooms are emerging – from heart health and blood glucose control to anti-inflammatory effects and immune health. Mushrooms may also act as prebiotics in the gut, increasing the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and regulating gut microbial balance.[2]
Walk into your local health store or pharmacy and you will likely see a big section given over to specialty mushrooms. Sold as dietary supplements, they come in a range of formats: capsules, powders, liquids, tinctures and gummies. They are formulated into lattes, protein powders, sometimes mixed with spices and other plant-based compounds. The market for functional mushroom supplements is massive and estimated to be $31.09bn in 2024 more than doubling to $62.18 bn by 2033.[3]
In this e-newsletter we focus on cordyceps and maitake mushrooms. You’ll find out about Lion’s Mane and Reishi and Chaga and Shiitake in our earlier e-news features.
Cordyceps Mushrooms
Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects. When these fungi attack their host, they replace its tissue and sprout long, slender stems that grow outside the host’s body. The remains of the insect and fungi have been hand-collected, dried and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to help treat fatigue, sickness, kidney disease and low sex drive.
More than 400 species of Cordyceps have been discovered, and two of these have become the focus of health research: Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris. Much of this emerging research has been conducted in laboratories, and clinical studies are required to reach firm conclusions about the effects in humans. However, their potential health benefits are promising.
Boost Exercise performance
Cordyceps may help boost exercise performance and reduce fatigue[4] by increasing the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule required for the production of energy.
A 6-week placebo-controlled study in healthy older adults using a stationary bike found that in participants taking 3 grams per day of a synthetic strain of Cordyceps VO2 max (a measure of fitness) increased by 7% while participants given the placebo pill showed no change.[5] In a 12-week study also in healthy older adults, Cordyceps given at 1g daily improved measures of exercise performance.[6] An exercise performance study in younger adults found that after 3 weeks of taking Cordyceps V02 increased by 11%.[7] More research is needed.
Heart health
Emerging evidence suggests benefits of Cordyceps on heart health. In fact Cordyceps is approved in China for cardiac arrythmia (a condition where the heartbeat may be erratic and either too slow or too fast).[8]
In laboratory studies, Cordyceps helps reduce blood levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides[9] and prevents hyperlipaemia in the context of a high fat diet.[10] Clinical studies in humans are needed to confirm these findings.
Anti-inflammatory
Some inflammation is good, but excessive inflammation in the body can lead to disease like heart disease. Laboratory research has shown that when human cells are exposed to Cordyceps, special proteins that increase inflammation in the body become suppressed. [11],[12],[13] This is likely due to an anti-inflammatory compound in Cordyceps called cordycepin. These findings, yet to be confirmed in clinical studies, are encouraging research into the use of Cordyceps as an anti-inflammatory medicine.[14]
A scientific review suggested that cordycepin exerts protective effects in asthma, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and atopic eczema.[15]
Diabetes
Cordyceps may keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range by mimicking the action of insulin. In several laboratory studies Cordyceps have been shown to decrease blood sugar levels. [16],[17] A recent laboratory study found that Cordyceps reduced glucose and lipid measures as well as dampening down inflammatory mediators and improving the balance of healthy bacteria (increasing the abundance of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes bacteria).[18]
These studies are encouraging clinical research into the potential for Cordyceps to find use for the regulation of blood sugar.
Supplements
Cordyceps supplements are grown in labs due to the high costs of wild-harvested Cordyceps sinensis. Dosages used in studies range from 1,000–3000 mg but doses in humans are not established yet. Cordyceps supplements come in several different forms including powders, tinctures and capsules.
Maitake Mushrooms
The Maitake mushroom grows wild in parts of Japan, China, and North America. Maitake mushroom means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. Its distinctive shape resembling a fan-like tail has earned it the nickname “hen-of-the-woods”. It grows in a circular cluster of wavy grey-brown caps with white cream undersides containing one to three pores. These mushrooms grow in shelf-like formations at the bottom of oaks, elms and maple trees. Maitakes can grow up to three feet wide and can weigh as much as 20kg although most average about 5kg.
Like other mushrooms, maitake are the subject of much laboratory research to evaluate their health benefits but studies in humans are lacking. They have been used in traditional medicine in Japan and China for thousands of years for their promises of health, vitality and longevity. Maitake are now finding popularity in western countries.
Rich in vitamin D, Maitake are being taken to support bone health, immune health and to support overall health in cancer. Maitake also contain antioxidants, beta-glucans, vitamin B and C, copper, potassium, fibre and amino acids.
During recent decades, Maitake ingredients, particularly beta-glucans, have been shown to have various bioactivities, including antitumor and immunomodulation, anti-oxidation and anti-hyperglycaemia.[19]
Type 2 diabetes
A 2015 laboratory study[20] showed that maitake mushroom can have a positive effect in type 2 diabetes. During the study, maitake mushroom consumption had a positive effect on glucose levels. This points to the need to evaluate maitake mushroom’s potential to help treat type 2 diabetes in humans.
Heart health
Laboratory research has shown that beta glucan in maitake can help reduce LDL cholesterol[21] improving overall cardiovascular health.
FACT: Maitake can be found in supplement form, as a powder, liquid extract or capsule.
Ask the GP
Generally, Maitake and Cordyceps mushrooms are safe to take, however if you are taking other medications, it’s best to check with your GP first. Although allergic reactions and upset stomach are uncommon, it is possible.
If you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor before ingestion. Maitake may have an effect on your blood sugar. It may also lower your blood pressure, so be sure to discuss your options with your doctor if you have low blood pressure.
You shouldn’t ingest maitake mushroom within two weeks of surgery or if you have a bleeding disorder.
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or have an autoimmune disease, check with your doctor before use.
ADACT MEDICAL – WHO WE ARE
ADACT Medical is an authoritative voice in a complex and highly technical health world. We are one of Europe’s largest regulatory compliance specialists. We also offer a broad, and often bespoke, range of regulatory and analytical services that fulfil the demands of innovative, scientific compliance for health businesses worldwide.
Specialist testing facilities including mushrooms.
One of ADACT Medical’s areas of expertise is isolating the active compounds or chemical constituents in foods and drinks, such as mushrooms, then analysing, testing and quantifying them to ensure the desired quality, potency and purity levels. We can also do botanical and herbal fingerprinting as well as testing for pesticides and heavy metals.
We offer analytical testing from our accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratory in the UK. Our ISO17025 certified laboratory, we have tested more than 23,136 products for more than 320 clients. We do analytical testing across:
Botanicals including mushrooms Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus); Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum); Shiitake (Lentinula edodes); Chaga (Inonotus obliquus); Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis); Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) and Maitake (Grifola frondose)
Herbal Medicines including black cohosh, echinacea, milk thistle, agnus castus and passionflower
CBD – Supplements, CBD Infused Food And Novel Food Drinks
Vitamins & Minerals
Smoking Cessation Products – vapes
ADACT Medical – What Makes Us ‘Tick’
ADACT Medical is passionate about the benefits of complementary medicine including botanicals and herbal medicines and the role they can play in consumer health and self-care needs. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has rigorous quality standards but ADACT Medical agrees that quality and safety have to remain fundamental and this is where ADACT Medical comes in.
We are proud of our 20 years’ experience with pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, herbal medicines, vitamin and mineral supplements and smoking cessation. We bring affordable, high-quality science and services to companies, big and small, so they can grow their businesses and brands in the confidence that they are creating the best. As a team, we believe passionately in consumer safety and that underpins everything we do.
[1] https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2024/planet-good-earth
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621001870
[3] https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/functional-mushrooms-market-101511
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28094746/
[5] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02836405
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110835/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5236007/
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21882527/
[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20724804/
[11] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12413710/
[12] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12831777/
[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371127/
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371127/
[15] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33090621/
[16] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15050427/
[17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519550/
[18] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10033974/
[19] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28366857/
[20] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26349512/
[21] https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/62/12/62_1049/_article