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Athletes, Sportspeople and Travelers: How Medicinal Mushrooms Enhance Sports Performance
BY DR. WALTER ARDIGÒ
The use of Medicinal Mushrooms in sports: natural support for professional and amateur athletes
Although Mycotherapy has been an established discipline for centuries, it is in recent years that interest in Medicinal Mushrooms and scientific research in this field have increased considerably, both in the world of health and in the sports world.
Always used and recognized by Traditional Eastern Medicine as precious allies, these extraordinary natural supplements for athletes are enjoying increasing success among professional and amateur athletes thanks to their potential to improve sports performance, reduce fatigue, improve oxygenation and recovery from exertion, as well as supporting general health and well-being.
Those who do sport need effective strategies to optimize performance and promote faster recovery.
From our knowledge and experience in the field of Mycotherapy we have formulated the Energy and Sport Kit, made up of three Medicinal Mushrooms essential for athletes, but also for all those who have a tiring and stressful lifestyle.
Cordyceps sinensis: the Medicinal Mushroom for energy and sports performance
Cordyceps sinensis is one of the most well-known and studied Medicinal Mushrooms due to its beneficial effects on physical performance. It is known for its ability to increase oxygen absorption in the blood and increase the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main source of energy for cells.
Benefits for athletes:
- Increased physical stamina: many studies have shown that Cordyceps improves VO2 max, that is the body's ability to utilize oxygen during physical activity.
- Fatigue reduction: it helps reduce the build-up of lactic acid in muscles, delaying the onset of fatigue.
- Breathing support: it promotes better oxygenation of the blood, improving the aerobic capacity of athletes.
- Increased energy: it promotes the production of ATP, supporting and strengthening the body.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): the Medicinal Mushroom of longevity and recovery
Reishi, also known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” is famous for its adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially useful for athletes who subject their bodies to intense stress.
Benefits for athletes:
- Reduction of inflammation: its bioactive compounds help reduce muscle and joint pain after intense training; its anti-inflammatory effect is comparable in effectiveness, within certain limits, to that of cortisone, but without the annoying side effects because it only brings benefits.
- Immune system support: athletes can be prone to infections or allergies due to the physical stress they undergo; Reishi provides excellent protection because it strengthens the immune system.
- Improved sleep quality: muscle recovery is closely linked to sleep quality, and Reishi promotes deeper, more restful sleep.
Agaricus blazei: the Medicinal Mushroom of metabolism and performance
Agaricus blazei is a Medicinal Mushroom with extraordinary adaptogenic properties: it strengthens physical stamina, supports the metabolism and promotes muscle recovery. Thanks to its antioxidant effect, it helps athletes to combat oxidative stress, protect themselves from muscle and joint injuries, accelerate muscle recovery and maintain high sports performance.
Benefits for athletes:
- Improves physical stamina: helps fight fatigue, increasing energy and endurance during workouts.
- Supports the immune system: reduces the risk of infection and inflammation, keeping athletes healthy.
- Antioxidant action: protects cells from oxidative stress caused by intense physical effort.
- Regulates the metabolism: promotes better use of sugars and fats, optimizing performance.
- Adaptogenic effect: helps improve the body's response to physical and mental stress.
- Liver function support: helps in cleansing the body and in post-workout recovery.
Known cases of use of Medicinal Mushrooms in sports
One of the most famous cases of the use of Medicinal Mushrooms in Sports is that of the Chinese track and field team led by Ma Junren in the 1990s. His athletes set world records in the 3,000 and 10,000 meters, and the coach attributed much of their success to the consistent use of Cordyceps sinensis in training and competitions.
Western athletes have also begun incorporating Medicinal Mushrooms into their training routines in recent years. Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek is a well-known user of Natural Supplements for Sports based on Medicinal Mushrooms to improve stamina and speed up recovery.
Medicinal Mushrooms for energy support in daily life, concentration and clarity
In addition to athletes, many people who have a stressful lifestyle can benefit from Mycotherapy. Work stress, lack of sleep and daily activities can lead to a reduction in energy and physical and mental stamina.
Personal experience
I am a 69-year-old doctor and, together with my wife, we have experienced the benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms first-hand. Thanks to their support, we have a lot of energy that allows us to be active and do sport. We have walked the Camino de Santiago, the Camino de los Caballeros in Menorca and, most recently, we returned from a 120 km 6 day walk along the ocean in Portugal, the Rota Vicentina. We plan to do many more in the coming months and years. The integration of Medicinal Mushrooms has helped us to support physical effort, improve recovery and maintain a constant level of energy during our adventures.
Mycotherapy is a natural solution to improve sports performance and support general well-being. The use of Medicinal Mushrooms is safe, functional and supported by numerous scientific studies.
Professional and amateur athletes, as well as ordinary people with intense lifestyles, can benefit enormously from the integration of Medicinal Mushrooms, taking advantage of their extraordinary properties to optimize both physical performance and quality of life.
