Ultra Cordyceps Plus
60 Capsules
Ingredients per capsule:
Cordyceps sinensis (mycelium) ..................... 750
mg
Supplying: 8% cordycepic acid (60mg),
0.27% adenosine (2
mg)
Ginkgo biloba extract (leaf) ............................
30 mg
Supplying: 24% flavonglycosides (7 mg),
6% terpene
lactones (2 mg)
Artichoke extract (leaf)
.................................. 30 mg
Supplying 2-5% cynarin
(1-2 mg)
Gelatin capsule; contains no excipients or
additives.
Suggested Use: 4 capsules daily with food.
Ingredients
Cordyceps sinensis
Ultra Cordyceps Plus contains a
strain of pure cultivated Cordyceps sinensis recognized by the
Chinese government as very similar to wild Cordyceps sinensis.
Highly valued in China as a food and tonic herb, wild Cordyceps
is a black, blade-shaped fungus found mainly above 13,000 feet
in a mountainous region of China known as the Qinghai-Tibetan
Highlands. Also called "Chinese caterpillar fungus," wild
Cordyceps grows on, and derives nutrients from, several species
of caterpillars. Because wild Cordyceps is rare and difficult to
harvest, due to its harsh growing environment, efforts have been
made to cultivate Cordyceps mycelia for commercial application.
Ultra Cordyceps Plus contains an award-winning strain of
Cordyceps mycelia standardized by HPLC for consistent potency.
It contains a minimum level of 8% cordycepic acid, a
polysaccharide considered to be the major active component.
Cordyceps contains many other ingredients, including proteins,
peptides, polysaccharides, nucleic acids such as adenosine,
fatty acids, sterols, vitamins and minerals.
Ginkgo biloba
extract
Ginkgo biloba extract is derived from the Ginkgo biloba
leaf. Considered to be the oldest living plant species, Ginkgo
is a large tree that has thrived on the earth since before the
last Ice Age. Ginkgo leaves contain flavonoid-like substances
called "flavonglycosides," which, along with other constituents
known as "terpene lactones," give Ginkgo its beneficial
properties. The Ginkgo biloba extract in Ultra Cordyceps Plus is
guaranteed to contain no less than 24% flavonglycosides and 6%
terpene lactones.
Artichoke leaf extract
Artichoke leaf
contains various organic acids, including cynarin. The artichoke
leaf extract in Ultra Cordyceps Plus supplies 2% to 5% cynarin.
Benefits
Cordyceps-History and Science
The historical use of
Cordyceps as an anti-aging herb in traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM) dates back to 1700 BCE. During China’s Chin Dynasty, one
emperor is said to have paid an ounce of gold for a mere three
days supply of the precious fungus. Tibetan scholars wrote
detailed descriptions of Cordyceps in 15th and 18th century
texts. Cordyceps was introduced to Europe at a scientific
meeting in Paris in 1726, and first imported to Japan in
1728.
The traditional uses of Cordyceps include improving
circulation, function of the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver.
Cordyceps was also used to boost general vitality, increase
longevity and improve sexual health.1 Cordyceps is known as a
tonic for the "kidney," which includes the reproductive system
in traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps promotes both the
"yin and yang" function of the body, thus it has a very
balancing, normalizing effect on many aspects of human
physiology.2
Commercial cultivation of Cordyceps sinensis
began in the early 1980s, making the herb readily available for
clinical research. More than 2000 patients have been enrolled in
trials in China. The results of this research show that
cultivated Cordyceps has the same effects as wild Cordyceps on
energy, vitality and numerous other parameters of
health.
Pre-clinical Animal Studies: Higher Biochemical
Energy Levels; More Efficient Use of Oxygen
Animal experiments
suggest Cordyceps may increase the body’s supply of ATP, which
is the primary form of biochemical energy used by cells to
produce metabolic energy. Mice given Cordyceps show substantial
increases in liver stores of ATP.3 Cordyceps increased survival
time of mice kept in a low oxygen environment, suggesting that
Cordyceps helps the body use oxygen more efficiently.4 Studies
are underway in China to determine if these findings explain the
energy enhancing, anti-fatigue effects of Cordyceps observed in
humans. Animal experiments indicate Cordyceps may improve blood
supply to the brain and heart by increasing arterial blood flow
to these organs.5
Human Clinical Trials
The various effects
of Cordyceps on humans have been seen in both open
(uncontrolled) and placebo-controlled human trials. Cordyceps
was given to a group of elderly persons experiencing fatigue and
other age-related complaints. Compared to subjects on placebo,
those taking Cordyceps reported better energy, greater tolerance
to cold, better memory and improved libido.6 Similar
improvements in energy, mental health and sexual function, along
with improvements in heart function, were seen in a long-term
study in which Cordyceps was given to patients with chronic
heart failure.7
Further evidence that Cordyceps benefits the
cardiovascular system is shown in trials where the herb has
improved heart rhythm as seen on ECG.8 Clinical trials appear to
validate the traditional uses of Cordyceps as a beneficial herb
for the lungs, respiratory system, kidneys, liver and immune
system. At a dose of 3 grams per day, Cordyceps improved
respiratory function and lung health by as much as 92 % after 12
weeks.9 In several trials, Cordyceps has improved various
parameters of kidney function such as increased creatinine
clearance, reduced BUN and decreased urinary protein
excretion.10 Cordyceps also protects the kidneys from the toxic
effects of potent antibiotics, as seen in both human and animal
studies.11
Cordyceps has successfully improved liver health,
as measured by liver function tests, in patients with hepatitis
and liver cirrhosis.12 Numerous in vitro and in vivo animal
studies have shown that Cordyceps influences various aspects of
immune function, including phagocytosis, natural killer cells,
interleukin-2 and T lymphocytes. Positive changes in T cells
have been observed in human trials, as well.13
Antioxidant
Effects
Extracts of Cordyceps exhibit strong free radical
scavenging properties. Cordyceps has increased red blood cell
SOD activity in humans, while at the same time reducing blood
levels of MDA (monodialdehyde), a free radical by-product.14
Cordyceps shows an ability to inhibit both oxidation of LDL by
free radicals and the accumulation of oxidized LDL in
macrophages.15 Cordyceps has also decreased cholesterol
deposition in the aortas of atherosclerotic mice.16
Ginkgo
Biloba Extract- Herbal Tonic for the Brain and Circulation
An
abundance of scientific evidence supports the use of Ginkgo
biloba extract for improving circulation, both to the brain and
extremities. Ginkgo biloba is approved by the German Commission
E for treatment of memory loss, reduced concentration and other
signs of impaired mental function in the aging population.17
Uses of Ginkgo biloba include increasing brain tolerance to low
oxygen, improvement of blood flow to the brain and extremities,
improving mental function and learning capacity, improving
equilibrium, inactivation of free radicals and inhibiting
platelet activating factor. Numerous clinical trials, using
standardized Ginkgo biloba extract, have demonstrated these
effects in humans.18
Artichoke Extract-Herbal Protection for
the Liver
Artichoke leaf (Cynara scolymus) is not only a
popular food, it has been used as an herb for the liver since
the time of the Roman Empire. Artichoke is known to stimulate
bile flow and protect the liver against toxins.19 Evidence that
confirms the traditional use of Artichoke for improving liver
health was seen in experiments where artichoke extracts
protected cultured rat cells from the damaging effect of highly
toxic oxidizing agents.20 Artichoke exhibited an antioxidant
effect by preventing the formation of MDA that occurs when cells
are exposed to these agents. Normalizing bile flow may lead to
improved digestion, as demonstrated in a large clinical trial
that tested artichoke extract on 553 people with poor
digestion.21
Safety
Cordyceps has been regarded as a very
safe herb throughout its traditional history, and is considered
completely safe for clinical use today. Experiments on animals
have not found a lethal dose, even when Cordyceps is given in
extremely high amounts (10 to 80 grams per kilogram of body
weight), nor does Cordyceps have any teratogenic or mutagenic
effects.22 Instances of mild stomach discomfort have been
reported in clinical trials.23 The safety of Ginkgo biloba
extract is likewise firmly established. Adverse effects with its
use are rare and limited to mild gastrointestinal complaints,
headaches and allergic skin reactions.24 As an edible plant,
artichoke is regarded as safe and non-toxic, although direct
skin contact with artichoke leaves has been reported to cause
dermatitis in allergic individuals.25 No side effects have
occurred from artichoke consumption. Due to the herb’s
bile-thinning action, persons with gall stones or bile-duct
obstruction may wish to consult a physician before consuming
large amounts of artichoke leaves or extracts.26
Scientific
References
1 Zhu, J., Halpern, G., Jones, K. The scientific
rediscovery of an ancient Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps
sinensis Part I. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary
Medicine 1998;4(3):289-303.
2 Bensky, D., Gamble, A. Chinese
Herbal Medicine, Materia Medica. Seattle: Eastland Press;
1986:486-7.
3 Manabe, N. et.al. Effects of the mycelial extract
of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy
metabolism in the mouse. Jap J Pharmacol 1996;70(1):85-88.
4
Lou, Y, Liao, X., Lu, Y. Cardiovascular pharmacological studies
of ethanol extracts of Cordyceps mycelia and Cordyceps
fermentation solution. Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs
1986;17(5):17-21, 209-13.
5 Feng, M., et. al. Vascular dilation
by fermented mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis in anesthetized dogs.
J Chinese Materia Medica 1987;12(12):745-49.
6 Cao, Z., Wen, Y.
Therapeutic effect analysis of JinShuiBao capsule in treatment
of 33 elderly senescent XuZheng patients. J Applied Traditional
Chinese Med 1993;1:32-33.
7 Chen, G. Effects of JingShuiBao
capsule on quality of life of patients with chronic heart
failure. J Administration Traditional Chinese Medicine
1995;5(suppl):40-43.
8 Tang, L. Jiang, X. Clinical observation
of fermented Cordyceps (JinShui Bao capsule) in treating 38
elderly patients with intractable arrhythmia. Practical J
Integrating Chinese with Western Medicine 1994;7(B8-9):532.
9
Han, S. Experiences in treating patients of chronic bronchitis
and pulmonary diseases with Cs-4 capsule (JinShuiBao). J
Administration Traditional Chinese Medicine
1995;5(suppl):33-34.
10 Jiang, J., Gao, Y. Summary of treatment
of 37 chronic renal dysfunction patients with JinShuiBao. J
Administration Traditional Chinese Medicine
1995;5(suppl):23-24.
11 Bi, J., Ma, S., Liu, X. Therapeutic
effects of Jinshuibao capsule on gentamycin nephrotoxic damage.
J Applied Med 1994;10(5):466-467.
12 Yang, Y. et. al.
Short-term observation of treating chronic hepatitis B and
post-hepatitis cirrhosis with XinGanBao. Res. Chinese Materia
Medica 1994;1:19-20.
13 Zhu, J., Halpern, G., Jones, K. The
scientific rediscovery of a precious ancient Chinese herbal
regimen: Cordyceps sinensis Part II. The Journal of Alternative
and Complimentary Medicine 1998;4(4):429-457.
14 Zhang, et. al.
Clinical and laboratory studies of JinShuiBao in scavenging
oxygen free radicals in elderly senescent XuZheng patients. J
Administration Traditional Chinese Medicine
1995;5(suppl):14-18.
15 Yamaguchi, Y. et. al. Antioxidant
activity of the extracts from fruiting bodies of cultured
Cordyceps sinensis. Phytotherapy Res 2000;14(8):647-49.
16
Yamaguchi, Y. et. al. Inhibitory effects of water extracts from
fruiting bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on raised lipid
peroxide levels and aortic cholesterol deposition in
atherosclerotic mice. Phytotherapy Res 2000;14(8):650-52.
17
The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Blumenthal, M.,
ed., American Botanical Council, Austin, TX: 1998:136-8.
18
Kleijnen, J., Knipschild, P. Ginkgo biloba. The Lancet
1992;340:1136-39.
19 Artichoke. The Lawrence Review of Natural
Products. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons: Nov 1992.
20
Gebhardt, R. Antioxidative and protective properties of extracts
from leaves of the Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against
hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat
hepatocytes. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
1997;144:279-86.
21 Fintelmann, V. Antidyspeptic and
lipid-lowering effects of artichoke leaf extract- results of
clinical studies into the efficacy and tolerance of Hepar-SL
forte involving 553 patients. J Gen Med 1996;2:3-19.
22 Zhu,
J., Halpern, G., Jones, K. The scientific rediscovery of a
precious ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis Part
II. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine
1998;4(4):429-457.
23 Xu, F. Pharmacological studies of
submerged culture of Cordyceps mycelia in China. Chinese
Pharmaceutical J 1992;27(4):195-97.
24 The Complete German
Commission E Monographs. Blumenthal, M., ed., American Botanical
Council, Austin, TX: 1998:136-8.
25 Artichoke. The Lawrence
Review of Natural Products. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons:
Nov 1992.
26 The Complete German Commission E Monographs.
Blumenthal, M., ed., American Botanical Council, Austin, TX:
1998:84-85.
© 2003 Doctor's Best, Inc. Revised
5/30/03
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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