Alien Fungus: Nutritious Superfood or Mind-Controlling 'Zombie' Mushroom?
Cordyceps, a distinctive kind of parasitic mushroom, has been employed within Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to promote various health benefits. This fungus, which has been lately featured in HBO's hit show, The Last of Us, has garnered significant attention for its potential properties.
Contrary to misconceptions inspired by the show, it's vital to learn the differences between the ways cordyceps affect insects and humans. While cordyceps can infiltrate specific insects in a grisly fashion, attaching spores that grow tendrils within a host's body and manipulating it for further fungus propagation, cordyceps' interactions with humans are fortunately more benign.
Mushroom Health Benefits: A Closer Look at Cordyceps
Mushrooms, including Cordyceps, are rich sources of unique compounds favorable to health, with a history dating back thousands of years of usage in Chinese medicine and other traditional healing systems.
One notable family of carbohydrates in mushrooms is beta-glucans. These compounds exhibit an affinity for immune cells, provoking macrophages, lymphocytes, T-cells, and Natural Killer cells. They primarily foster our innate immunity, the immune system's first responders. However, mushrooms do more than merely boost the immune system; they fine-tune immune cells to respond appropriately to pathogens, toxins, cancer cells, and other threats.
Cordyceps are also known for stimulating bone marrow regeneration and exhibiting anti-tumor activity. In addition, similar to Reishi, cordyceps can enhance athletic performance by increasing cellular energy production and oxygen utilization. One study found that cordyceps improved endurance in older individuals.
Furthermore, cordyceps serve to detoxify the body and support the adrenals. Additionally, they promote healthy heart function by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and boosting HDL (good cholesterol).
Navigating the Potential Risks of Cordyceps
While cordyceps is generally safe, it's essential to be aware of potential risks, considering interactions with medication, allergic reactions, quality concerns, and safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. By choosing reputable sources and consulting health professionals, you can minimize these risks.
Climate change and the spreading of harmful fungi like Coccidioides, which causes valley fever, and Candida auris, resistant to most antifungal drugs, have gained attention from researchers. Moreover, the discovery of a new fungus, Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis, in humans last year is a cause for concern, with reports of its existence in the bloodstream of two unrelated patients, leading to their deaths.
Despite these isolated cases, Dr. Jim Kronstad, a microbiologist at UBC's Michael Smith Laboratories, emphasizes the importance of fungi, claiming that their contributions to humanity are monumental.
Using Cordyceps in Supplements and Teas
Since cordyceps grow like slim tendrils, they are widely employed as a powder in supplements and teas. To prepare cordyceps tea, one can boil the tendrils, called "fruited bodies," in water. However, the knowledge that these tendrils originated from an insect body might deter some from opting for this tea.
In contemporary times, the potential benefits of cordyceps continue to attract interest, enabling discoveries that may improve health and wellbeing for countless individuals. By gaining a solid understanding of cordyceps' effects on the body and mind, adopting responsible consumption practices, and consulting medical professionals, you can explore the numerous benefits this ancient remedy has to offer.
- Cordyceps, through their unique compounds like beta-glucans, stimulate immune cells and fine-tune the immune response, assisting in detoxification, adrenal support, and promoting healthy heart function.
- In the realm of wellness, supplements and teas containing Cordyceps are gaining popularity due to their potential benefits, including enhanced athletic performance, bone marrow regeneration, and anti-tumor activity, as well as improved endurance in older individuals.
- While Cordyceps can offer numerous health benefits backed by science, it's crucial to navigate potential risks, such as interactions with medication, allergic reactions, quality concerns, and safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, by choosing reputable sources and consulting health professionals.
