7. Increase Oxygen Levels
Cordyceps mushrooms live on a particular species of caterpillar in the mountainous areas of China. Finding genuine, authentic cordyceps mushroom is very challenging due to its rarity. Therefore, most commercially available cordyceps grows in a laboratory environment.
Cordyceps mushroom is effective at increasing oxygen levels in the blood. The fungus does so by increasing the amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and then absorbs carbon dioxide. When hemoglobin returns to the lungs, it releases the carbon dioxide.
Athletes supplement with powdered cordyceps mushroom available in capsule format. The added hemoglobin boost allows them to train at altitude without experiencing the adverse side effects of diminished oxygen levels. Cordyceps also has value in recovery after surgery, as it boosts blood flow and oxygen to organs and tissue. There is no clinical evidence to support these claims. However, athletes and patients report positive effects from using the mushroom.
