Evidence supporting the use of: Mushroom (various)
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Various mushrooms, such as Cordyceps, Reishi, and Lion's Mane, have gained attention as potential athletic and exercise aids. Among these, Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris are the most widely studied for this purpose. Several animal and human studies suggest that Cordyceps supplementation may improve exercise performance by enhancing ATP production, increasing oxygen utilization, and reducing fatigue. For example, a few small clinical trials have reported modest improvements in VO2 max and exercise endurance in both trained athletes and sedentary individuals after Cordyceps supplementation. However, results are somewhat inconsistent, with some studies showing no significant benefit.

Other mushrooms, such as Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), are primarily researched for their adaptogenic and neuroprotective effects, with only limited and preliminary data exploring their direct impact on exercise performance. The overall quality of evidence for mushrooms as athletic and exercise aids remains low to moderate, with most studies being small, short-term, or lacking rigorous controls. Therefore, while there is some scientific basis—particularly for Cordyceps—the evidence is not strong or conclusive for broad athletic enhancement, and further high-quality human trials are needed.

More about Mushroom (various)
More about Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids

7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Alpha D-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
L-alanine
L-Alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
L-Ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Peppermint
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
watermelon
whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
yerba mate
Algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Arachidonic Acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
Bicarbonate
Beef Protein
Bovine Protein
Bulbine natalensis
Ba Ji Tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Casein
Cardarine
Capsinoids
Citrate malate
Capsiate
Creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
Dihydrocapsiate
Deer Velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
Eurycomanone
Elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
Ephedrine
Fadogia agrestis
Guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
Growth factors
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Guaranine
Glycerol
Higenamine
Hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB Hydroxymethylbutyrate
Horny Goat Weed
Isomaltulose
Isoleucine
Kola Nut
Ketone Salts
Lactalbumin
Laxogenin
Macamides
Maral Root
Mineral ascorbate
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Methylliberine
Mate
Mushroom
Macaenes
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
Ornithine
Phosphocreatine
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
Paraxanthine
Phytoecdysteroid
Pyruvate
Phosphatidic Acid
Piper nigrum
Palatinose
Peptides
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
Ribose
Robusta Coffee
Synephrine
Safed musli
salt
Sida cordifolia
Theobromine
Tripeptide
Trichilia catigua
Turkesterone
Trichopus zeylanicus
Theacrine
Teacrine
Tribulus Terrestris
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
Xanthine
yohimbine

Products containing Mushroom (various)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.