An Investigation on the Effectiveness of Cordyceps Militaris on Health-Related Components among Sedentary People

Koh, Weat Teck (2020) An Investigation on the Effectiveness of Cordyceps Militaris on Health-Related Components among Sedentary People. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Cordyceps militaris on health-related components in sedentary individuals and examine the time point where cordyceps start to have a positive effect on the health related components after 3 weeks of ingestion. A total of 30 healthy middle aged sedentary subjects (male=14, female=16, Age=44.3±3.4 years: Height=164.1±9.1cm: Weight=67.0±15.7cm: BMI=24.8±4.1kg/m² : Skeletal muscle mass=25.2±7.0kg: Percentage of body fat=31.5±6.5%: participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled design. A baseline measurement (YMCA 3 minutes step test, lung respiratory test, body composition analysis, grip strength test, blood profile test (blood glucose, blood cholesterol & blood pressure), flexibility, anti-fatigue ability using fatigue assessment scale) was conducted and subjects were assigned into Cordyceps and Placebo groups. Subjects were instructed to consume 2 sachets of either cordyceps or placebo powder and mixed with 250 mL of luke water every day for 21 days. All the above-mentioned measurements were repeated on Day 7, Day 14 and Day 21. Subjects were instructed to refrain themselves from taking other supplements 2 weeks before and during the experimental trials. Results showed that no significant difference was detected between cordyceps group and placebo group in all measurements. Interestingly, significant improvement in grip strength (p=0.018), recovery heart rate (p=0.017), skeletal muscle mass (p=0.004), body fat percentage (p=0.020), flexibility (p=0.011) and anti-fatigue ability (p=0.001) were found in cordyceps group from throughout the study. We speculate a higher dosage of cordyceps or longer duration of cordyceps ingestion might be needed to elicit a significant difference between groups. The blood profiles and lung capacity measure remained unchanged might be due to our subjects being healthy. In conclusion, the ingestion of Cordyceps militaris (1.1g per day for 21 days) significantly improved the health-related components in middle-aged sedentary individuals.