No, cordyceps won't work like HCG. Hell, there isn't even data substantiating its endurance boosting effects (to the contrary, actually). But it is an excellent immune system booster
While you may be somewhat of a guru on this board,I find it somewhat disappointing that you respond to a post,which had an abstract showing IN VIVO research,with only a declaration whilst offering up no references for your statement.
Cordyceps has exceptional *potential* to act as an HCG mimetic,I am not outright saying or alluding that it will be do so.
It seems to have this potential effect independent of a rise in LH.
There was some viable discussion in the linked thread below.See Benson's posts for the summary.
Cordyceps and PCT
The only way to really establish if it does act as a HCG mimetic would be obtaining bloodwork before and while on an androgen cycle,from multiple individuals.
Research that I have looked at,the abstract linked in the thread linked above,paints a picture indicating it has promise as an HCG mimetic at around 4 grams a day.
As far as your other statement,you are just plain wrong.
Cordyceps has had mixed results in terms of exercise performance.Some studies note no improvement while other studies show improvement.I am wholly sure,based on the facts,that you are not able to find a single peer reviewed study indicating a decline in exercise performance.
The 2 studies I just pulled up indicate that Cordyceps did not improve endurance in resistance trained men but there was no decline in exercise performance whatsoever:
PMID:18230170
PMID:15118196
Contrary to your statement,see below for evidence that conflicts with the other 2 abstracts I found...which by the way,you didn't bother to present.
Yeah,intelligent discourse does not go very far if there is no evidence presented for one's theories.Resounding statements of "no,that doesn't work,it'll have the opposite effect" and such...well,they amount to jack balls,in terms of a quantitive assesment of data.
Note the conclusion....
Pharm Biol. 2013 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Polysaccharides from Cordyceps sinensis mycelium ameliorate exhaustive swimming exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Yan F, Wang B, Zhang Y.
Source
Department of Physical Education, University of International Business and Economics , Beijing , P.R. China and.
Abstract
Abstract Context. Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. (Clavicipitaceae) is a famous medicinal fungus (mushroom) in Chinese herbal medicine. Polysaccharides from Cordyceps sinensis (CSP) have been identified as active ingredients responsible for its biological activities. Although many pharmacological actions of CSP have received a great deal of attention, research in this area continues. Objective: The current study was designed to investigate the effects of CSP on exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress. Materials and methods: The mice were divided into four groups: control (C), low-dose CSP treated (LC), intermediate-dose CSP treated (IC) and high-dose CSP treated (HC). The treated groups received CSP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, ig), while the control group received drinking water for 28 days, followed by being forced to undergo exhaustive swimming exercise, and some biochemical parameters including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured using detection kits according to the manufacturers' instructions. Results: Compared with the C group, exhaustive swimming time was significantly prolonged in the LC, IC and HC groups (p < 0.05); SOD activities in serum, liver and muscle were significantly higher in the IC and HC groups (p < 0.05); GPx activities in serum, liver and muscle were significantly higher in the LC, IC and HC groups (p < 0.05); CAT activities in serum, liver and muscle were significantly higher in the HC groups (p < 0.05); MDA and 8-OHdG levels in serum, liver and muscle were significantly lower in the LC, IC and HC groups (p < 0.05). Discussion and conclusion: The results obtained herein indicate that CSP could ameliorate exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress.
PMID:
24047103
There is an f-ton of abstracts on cordy WRT exercise performance so that noted,a bit of research before posting erroneous statements would be much appreciated.
To show both sides and to present a well informed platform for discussion,I am presenting conflicting studies.
Below are another couple abstracts noting a beneficial effect on endurance.
I could go on with more...namely that cordyceps has been shown to improve metabolic syndrome...it activates AMPK thus has exercise mimetic properties....I'll provide abstracts supporting abstracts for these 2 statements,if asked.
Lastly,I will add that the studies showing a lack of a signifigant effect on exercise performance,all showed low end dosing of cordyceps.For its endocrine effects,we would want 4 grams a day,around 400% the amount used in the abstracts I saw noting a lack of exercise improvement.
So at 4 grams a day,based on the peer reviewed research,it is hardly over reaching to think that cordy would likely have a beneficial effect on exercise performance,not to mention a positive effect on metabolic syndrome.Hell,these two positives are merely additional benefits for the reason I am interested in cordyceps....which is its' very distinct potential to act as an HCG mimetic.
Pharm Biol. 2013 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Polysaccharides from Cordyceps sinensis mycelium ameliorate exhaustive swimming exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Yan F, Wang B, Zhang Y.
Source
Department of Physical Education, University of International Business and Economics , Beijing , P.R. China and.
Abstract
Abstract Context. Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. (Clavicipitaceae) is a famous medicinal fungus (mushroom) in Chinese herbal medicine. Polysaccharides from Cordyceps sinensis (CSP) have been identified as active ingredients responsible for its biological activities. Although many pharmacological actions of CSP have received a great deal of attention, research in this area continues. Objective: The current study was designed to investigate the effects of CSP on exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress. Materials and methods: The mice were divided into four groups: control (C), low-dose CSP treated (LC), intermediate-dose CSP treated (IC) and high-dose CSP treated (HC). The treated groups received CSP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, ig), while the control group received drinking water for 28 days, followed by being forced to undergo exhaustive swimming exercise, and some biochemical parameters including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured using detection kits according to the manufacturers' instructions. Results: Compared with the C group, exhaustive swimming time was significantly prolonged in the LC, IC and HC groups (p < 0.05); SOD activities in serum, liver and muscle were significantly higher in the IC and HC groups (p < 0.05); GPx activities in serum, liver and muscle were significantly higher in the LC, IC and HC groups (p < 0.05); CAT activities in serum, liver and muscle were significantly higher in the HC groups (p < 0.05); MDA and 8-OHdG levels in serum, liver and muscle were significantly lower in the LC, IC and HC groups (p < 0.05). Discussion and conclusion: The results obtained herein indicate that CSP could ameliorate exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress.
PMID:
24047103
Cordyceps sinensis Increases Hypoxia Tolerance by Inducing Heme Oxygenase-1 and Metallothionein via Nrf2 Activation in Human Lung Epithelial Cells.
Singh M, Tulsawani R, Koganti P, Chauhan A, Manickam M, Misra K.
Source
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Science, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi 110 054, India.
PMID:24063008