Cordyceps - Kidney and Renal benefits
Kidneys are the natural filters of our body. They perform various functions, including maintaining acid-base balance, regulating blood pressure, producing hormones and reabsorbing water, glucose and amino acids. The symptoms of kidney dysfunction are normally felt via other organs and systems consequently affected. Fatigue, joint and back pain, high blood sugar level and impotence are all symptoms of degenerative kidney health. Recent studies have shown that Cordyceps enhances the kidneys’ potential by increasing 17-hdroxy-corticosteroid and 17-ketosteroid levels (Zhu, J. et al. The Scientific Rediscovery of an Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine: Cordyceps sinensis The Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine [part 1]Volume 4, Number 3, 1998, pp. 289—303 [part 2] Volume 4, Number 4, 1998, pp. 429 - 457.).
A study with 51 patients suffering chronic renal failure showed that the administration of 3–5g per day of Cordyceps sinensis significantly improved the kidney and immune functions of the patients (Guan, Y.J., et al. (1992). Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on T- lymphocyte subsets in chronic renal railure. Chinese Journal of Integrated Medicine 12: 323, 338-339).
Chronic renal failure or reduced kidney function often cause hypertension, proteinuria and anaemia. A study involving patients with such health issues showed, after 1 month of Cordyceps administration, a 15% reduction in blood pressure, significant reduction in urinary protein and increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) (Jiang, JC, Gao, YF. Summary of treatment of 37 chronic renal disfunction patients with JinShuiBao. J Administration Traditional Chinese Med 1995: 5(suppl):23-24).
Another study involved 57 patients with gentamicin-induced kidney damage, who were either treated with 4.5g of Cordyceps per day or by other more conventional methods. It was found that, after 6 days, the group that received Cordyceps had recovered 89% of their normal kidney function compare to a 45% recovery rate in the other group. (Holliday, J. et al. On the Trial of The Yak Ancient Cordyceps in the Modern World. 2004)