Is Cordyceps good for the prostate?

Cordyceps, a unique fungus with a long history in Eastern medicine, has been traditionally used to boost kidney health, enhance vitality and libido, combat fatigue, and restore energetic balance. Modern research is now exploring its many therapeutic benefits. In this blog, we’ll focus on how Cordyceps might support prostate health by examining two studies: one conducted on rats and another on humans.

Before diving into the studies, let's first understand the key metrics used to evaluate prostate health.

Prostate/Urinary Health Metrics

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Levels
• PSA is a protein produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland.
• Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate inflammation, enlargement, or cancer.
• Typically, a PSA level below 4.0 ng/mL is considered normal.
• This range can vary based on age and individual risk factors.
• Prostate Volume
• Prostate volume is measured through digital rectal exams (DRE) or imaging techniques such as transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)
• Prostate volume can help determine if the prostate is enlarged
• A healthy prostate typically measures about 20-30 grams or milliliters in younger men.
• This number can increase with age.
• International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
• IPSS is a subjective questionnaire that assesses the severity of urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• The scores range from 0 to 35, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
• Scores are categorized as follows:
• 0-7: Mild symptoms
• 8-19: Moderate symptoms
• 20-35: Severe symptoms
• Maximum Urinary Flow Rate (Q-max)
• Q-max measures the peak rate of urine flow during urination.
• A healthy flow rate is typically greater than 15 mL/sec.
• Lower rates can indicate urinary obstruction or other issues.
• Post-Void Residual Volume (PVR)
• PVR measures the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination.
• A normal PVR is less than 50 mL.
• Higher volumes can indicate bladder dysfunction or obstruction.
• International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)
• The IIEF is a subjective measure of sexual health
• This questionnaire evaluates erectile function and sexual satisfaction.
• Higher scores indicate better sexual health and satisfaction.

The Rat Study

A 2021 study published in the journal Nutrients explored the effects of Cordyceps militaris on prostate health using a rat model. The study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of Cordyceps militaris on conditions like late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

• Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH)
• Also referred to as "age-related testosterone deficiency" or "andropause" (analogous to menopause in women)
• A condition characterized by a decline in testosterone levels in aging men
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• AKA "enlarged prostate"
• A common condition involving the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland
• Can be a detriment to urinary health

To simulate late-onset hypogonadism, a certain group of rats were castrated. Castrating the rats cuts off their internal testosterone production which represents the decline of testosterone in aging males. Then, artificial testosterone called "testosterone propionate" (TP) and Cordyceps militaris (CM) were administered to the rats and the results were noted.

Part 1 Takeaways

• Cordyceps militaris inhibits testosterone propionate induced prostate growth in castrated rats - Graph B
• Suggests its potential for managing prostate enlargement even when internal testosterone levels are lowered
• Cordyceps militaris maintains or increases serum testosterone and DHT levels when combined with testosterone propionate - Graph D and E
• Suggests a potential for Cordyceps militaris to combat declining testosterone levels

Part 2 Takeaways

• Cordyceps militaris tends to inhibit artificial testosterone increase in prostate weight - Graph B
• Suggests potential therapeutic potential for enlarged prostate
• Combining Cordyceps militaris with artificial testosterone tends to amplify testosterone and DHT hormone increases - Graph C and D
• Suggests an artificial testosterone and Cordyceps militaris synergistic potential

Part 3 Takeaways

• Cordyceps militaris reduces the viability of prostate cancer cells
• Suggests potential anti-cancer properties
• This was tested in vitro meaning it was one in a controlled lab setting -- not in the rats
• Cancer cells being observed:
• Lymph Node Carcinoma of the Prostate (LNCaP)
• Human prostate cancer cell influenced by androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
• Prostate Cancer cells (PC3)
• Prostate cancer cells that do not rely on androgens like testosterone and DHT to spread

The Human Study

We covered the human study in detail in Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 15. You can watch the full episode by clicking on the thumbnail below.

Takeaways from the human study

• The participants from this study were older males (mostly aged 55+) suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) type symptoms
• After taking Cordyceps militaris for three months, Cordyceps militaris:
• Reduced overall prostate size
• Increased maximum urinary flow rate
• Improved International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scores
• A survey measuring the subjective well-being of urinary health
• Types of symptoms surveyed include:
• Incomplete emptying of the bladder
• Weak urinary stream
• Straining to urinate
• Urgent need to urinate
• Frequent urination
• Urinating in the middle of the night
• Improved International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores
• Types of symptoms surveyed include:
• Confidence about sexual performance
• Ability to achieve and maintain an erection
• Capacity to keep an erection throughout sexual activity
• Issues or problems during sex
• Satisfaction with sex life