title: Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty (20) healthy elderly (age 50-75 years) subjects were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial. The subjects were taking either Cs-4 333 mg or placebo capsules 3 times a day for 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects received baseline screening including physical examination and laboratory tests. Maximal incremental exercise testing was performed on a stationary cycle ergometer using breath-by-breath analysis at baseline and at the completion of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After receiving Cs-4 for 12 weeks, the metabolic threshold (above which lactate accumulates) increased by 10.5% from 0.83 +/- 0.06 to 0.93 +/- 0.08 L/min (p < 0.02) and the ventilatory threshold (above which unbuffered H(+) stimulates ventilation) increased by 8.5% from 1.25 +/- 0.11 to 1.36 +/- 0.15 L/min. Significant changes in metabolic or ventilatory threshold were not seen for the subjects in the placebo group after 12 weeks, and there were no changes in Vo(2) max in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that supplementation with Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects.
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Nutrition, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhaoping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krochmal
authors.forename: Marlon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abrazado
authors.forename: Woosong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032661:Cordyceps; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D019344:Lactic Acid
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