Exploring Mushroom Benefits for Muscle Growth

As research continues to examine the nutritional content of various foods, certain “super foods” have emerged. These are foods that have more to offer than basic nutrition, and mushrooms are a great example.

Used as both food and medicine for over thousands of years, mushrooms have played an important role in human health. They are nutritious, sure, but these fantastic fungi have even more going for them. Readily available in multiple dietary supplement forms, functional mushrooms can support a range of health and wellness goals with daily use.

If you’re an athlete, strength training enthusiast, or someone who just wants to get into shape, you’re probably sticking to a nutritional routine that supports muscle building already. But you may be wondering whether mushroom supplements can help build muscle mass and strength, too. So let’s explore the key mushroom benefits for muscle growth.

Understanding Mushroom Benefits for Muscle Growth

Building muscle requires exercise and the consumption of sufficient raw materials such as protein, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. The standout mushroom species that can support muscle growth is cordyceps. This unusually shaped mushroom originally found on the Tibetan Plain is now sustainably cultivated in the U.S. for its energy-supportive profile.

Cordyceps has a wide range of potential health benefits. First and foremost, it’s a nutritious, functional food that comprises amino acids (the building blocks of protein) as well as vitamins B and K and a range of essential trace minerals. Cordyceps contains immune-supporting polysaccharides and age-defying antioxidants.^‡ In addition, this superfood mushroom boasts the following benefits to help you get the most out of your workout sessions.

Anti-fatigue

Studies with animals have identified an anti-fatigue property in the polysaccharides isolated from cordyceps mushrooms. When taken as a supplement, they extended exercise duration and delayed physical exhaustion in mice. Researchers also noted a decrease in fatigue-related biomarkers in the blood.^‡

Improved Exercise Performance

Cordyceps received international attention at the 1993 Olympic Games when Chinese athletes broke several world records and their coach credited cordyceps supplementation. It has been shown to improve exercise performance in healthy older adults by increasing metabolic and ventilatory thresholds.^‡

Improved Cellular Energy

The primary energy source used and stored in your cells is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It fuels various physiological functions, including those responsible for muscle growth, muscle contraction, and protein synthesis. Biochemical analysis of blood samples taken from exercising subjects receiving cordyceps extract suggests that it supports cellular energy by increasing ATP production.^‡

Shortened Post-Workout Recovery Time

After expending energy during a workout, there is a period of time when recovery occurs. Cordyceps may aid in post-workout recovery, especially with regular use.

In animal research, cordyceps supplements had a greater impact than cereal on exercise stamina and recovery from fatigue. The supplemented mice demonstrated increased elimination of lactic acid from their cells and stronger metabolic parameters after exercise.^‡ 

Finding Quality Cordyceps Products to Support Muscle Growth

Historically, cordyceps mushrooms were rare and reserved for use by royalty. In more recent times, it became endangered due to overharvesting as more and more people coveted its superfood qualities. The good news for those seeking mushroom benefits for muscle growth is that these high-quality mushrooms are now cultivated close to home in southern California. 

Om Mushroom offers an organic cordyceps mushroom powder blend that checks all the right dietary boxes, containing all of the bioactive compounds of both the fruit body and mycelium. Grown and processed according to FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for supplement manufacturing, processing, and packaging, our products are safe and of the highest quality for our valued customers.

Enhancing Energy and Endurance with Cordyceps

Muscle growth requires protein, and while mushrooms do contain the latter, they are not a high-protein food. For this reason, it’s recommended to include Om Cordyceps Organic Mushroom Powder blend in your pre-workout protein shake, or give capsules a shot. You can also try blending up some flavorful fresh or frozen fruits with a scoop of our new creamy vanilla and chocolate protein powders. Supporting muscle growth is easy when you have the energy and endurance to do so. With the historical health benefits of cordyceps by your side, you can increase stamina and speed recovery to maximize muscle growth.^‡ 

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^‡These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Functional mushroom products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.