Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis / militaris)

Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; human RCTs show it may improve aerobic capacity & exercise tolerance, with the militaris strain consistently showing acute & chronic benefits for VO2max & time to exhaustion.

performanceenduranceadaptogenenergyrecovery

Evidence last reviewed: 04 Apr 2026

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Biomarkers studied

Outcomes directly measured across the evidence records below

Cardiovascular

VO₂ Max

Performance

Aerobic CapacityTime to Exhaustion

Evidence

2 records

Aerobic exercise capacity & VO2max

Healthy young adults • RCT

PUBMEDLow

A 3-week RCT of a Cordyceps militaris-containing mushroom blend found VO2max significantly improved (+4.8 ml/kg/min; p=0.042) & time to exhaustion increased (+69.8 s) compared to placebo; acute supplementation (1 week) showed no effect, suggesting chronic dosing is required.

Dose: 2000 mgDuration: 3 weeks

Citation: Hirsch KR, Smith-Ryan AE, Roelofs EJ, Trexler ET, Mock MG. Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation. J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(1):42-53.

Metabolic threshold & ventilatory threshold during exercise

Healthy older adults (ages 50–75) • double-blind placebo-controlled RCT

PUBMEDLow

A 12-week RCT of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) at 999 mg/day in 20 healthy older adults improved metabolic threshold by 10.5% (p<0.02) & ventilatory threshold by 8.5% (p=0.031) versus placebo; VO2max did not change significantly.

Dose: 1000 mgDuration: 12 weeksForm: Cs-4

Citation: Chen S, Li Z, Krochmal R, Abrazado M, Kim W, Cooper CB. Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(5):585-90.

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performanceendurancerecovery

Athletic Performance and Endurance

by@athlete

Combining Betaine Anhydrous with Cordyceps can enhance athletic performance and endurance. Betaine supports strength and power output, while Cordyceps improves oxygen utilization and endurance.

Betaine Anhydrous

2500mg

Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis / militaris)

1000mg

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