Endurance sports and running continually require the athlete to look forward to that next extra cutting edge to shave seconds off and aid in recovery. You’ll find Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane as natural supplements, which are becoming more popular among runners because of their specific positive effects on stamina, endurance, mind, and muscle recovery. But how do those potent shrooms function, and are the benefits worthwhile to integrate them into your training or not?
In this article, we will explain how Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane work for running, and provide evidence for the benefits, along with the best usage strategies.
What are Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane?
Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane are two of the most effective types of medicinal mushrooms. Each of these has distinct qualities that make them most suitable for runners and any other athlete concentrating on endurance.
- Cordyceps: Cordyceps come from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and they are famous for increasing energy, power, and maximal aerobic exercise capacity. There are two specific types for supplement purposes: Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis and both of them enhance athletic performance and energy.
- Lion’s Mane: One of the famous functions of this mushroom is boosting cognition. Also traditionally employed to increase brain function as well as manage anxiety, Lion’s Mane mushroom boasts neuroprotective benefits. In this way, it promotes nerve growth factor (NGF), meaning improved concentration, memory, and mental endurance which is priceless in a mentally challenging athletic discipline such as running.
Cordyceps and Athletics – What Science Says
How Cordyceps Increases Stamina
Another reason why runners are attracted to Cordyceps fungal activity is said to increase endurance. Various scholars have shown that cordyceps enhance producers of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the body, the energy packaged and transported to muscles for use throughout activities such as running for long distances.
Some of the earlier research on cordyceps has suggested that it can enhance the amount of oxygen taken up by the body at a time, which is an important parameter associated with jogging efficiency. VO2 max refers to the maximum point an athlete can work and use oxygen; the higher the VO2 max the lower the fatigue level during exercises. This makes Cordyceps as supplementary food most appropriate for long-distance runners who require energy bursts over long distances.
Cordyceps for Faster Recovery
In addition to endurance, Cordyceps has other benefits that help muscles to recover. Because soccer is also a high-intensity activity, injuries can come easily and muscle soreness and fatigue may result, meaning athletes can take the herb after a run to reduce soreness and help them get back to training quickly. It also contributes towards general immunity which is important for runners who worsen their bodies consistently through exercise.
Lion’s Mane: A Rejuvenator of the Brain for Enhancing Mental Clarity in Running
Improvement of concentration and clearness of the mind
Of all these benefits Lion’s Mane stands out in that it is attached to cognitive health. It is, therefore, vital to always be prepared mentally as well as for those long runs you make as a runner. This particular type of mushroom enhances the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that is crucial in neural well-being and cognition. With clearer minds, runners can be able to concentrate, especially when running long distances or when training.
Lion’s Mane for Lowered Stress and Anxiety
Some of the common discomforts most runners encounter are pre-race nerves or general mental tiredness during marathon runs. As an adaptogen, Lion’s Mane works to help regulate stress well states and brings about balance during pressure. As such, Curry says it is effective when consumed before and after the run because it would provide the mental health needed to conquer the distress in between.
Stroke, Cognitive Advances, and Reaction Time
It will do especially for those runners who attempt demanding terrains or any race with technicalities where a fast responsive as well as a strong brain works. Lion’s Mane fuels the brain to improve reaction time, balance, and coordination which will help a lot when trying to make decisions on the go. This gives a squad an additional mental advantage, which in close competition can make the difference.
Cordyceps vs. Lion’s Mane: Which Is Better for Running?
While both Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane offer distinct benefits for running, each mushroom shines in specific areas:
- Cordyceps can be taken throughout the day and is best known as an endurance and recovery aid. Being involved in the production of ATP, increasing the efficiency of oxygen, and decreasing inflammation, this supplement is widely recommended for distance runners as well as those who need to build stamina.
- Lion’s Mane most effectively works to boost cognition, memory, and speeds of both thought and action. It makes it even more useful for trail runners or any sportsman who requires keen senses of the brain while performing.
Both Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane components can be taken together by some runners who consider that it can help optimize both, physical and mentally related aspects of running.
How to incorporate Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane into your running regime
Supplement Forms
Both Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane can be consumed as powders, capsules, and tinctures. Athletes prefer capsules and powders because they are convenient to utilize and can be easily incorporated into pre-run or post-run mixtures.
Optimal Dosage and Timing
- Cordyceps: Some runners believe that consuming Cordyceps 30 minutes before a run will most likely increase endurance and the ability to carry oxygen through the body. The dose is best taken in between meals and normally ranges between half a gram and 1,5 grams.
- Lion’s Mane: As mentioned earlier Lion’s Mane helps to improve focus and mental clarity, therefore it could be ingested before a run. It also comes in handy following a run session to help deal with stress as well as support muscle recovery. Usual doses are between 500 – 1000 mgs.
Interaction with Other Supplements for Running
Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane should not be taken alone and can be complemented by another performance booster which is beetroot powder for nitric oxide or BCAAs for muscle building. Therefore implementing various supplements in the right manner can actually enhance your running and help in recovery also.
Conclusion
Cordyceps is worth including in a runner’s program while Lion’s Mane has its benefits for a runner. Helping to build stamina and recovery time, the six molecules being sold were shown to improve mental awareness and physiological skills. Whether you plan to improve your record, conquer difficult terrains, or just enhance your training, Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane may be the supplements that you need.
Why not try them next time and feel how these natural supplements can help you in your running?
