Traditional views of the Cordyceps species held that
its consumption strengthened the kidneys. Studies
have shown that much of the kidney-enhancing
potential of Cordyceps stems from its ability to increase
17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17- ketosteroid
levels in the body.5
Chronic renal failure is a serious disease, one
often affecting the elderly. In a study among 51
patients suffering from chronic renal failure, it
was found that the administration of 3–5 grams
per day of C. sinensis signifi cantly improved both
kidney function and overall immune function of
treated patients, compared to the untreated control
group.40
Patients with chronic renal failure or reduced
kidney function often suffer from hypertension,
proteinuria, and anemia. In a study with such
patients, it was found that after one month on
C. sinensis, a 15% reduction in blood pressure
was observed. Urinary protein was also reduced.
Additionally, increases in superoxide dismutase
(SOD) were seen. The increase in SOD, coupled
with an observed decrease in serum lipoperoxide,
suggests an increase in the oxygen-free radicalscavenging
capacity, resulting in reduced oxidative
cellular damage.41
In another human clinical study, 57 patients
with gentamicin-induced kidney damage were either
treated with 4.5 grams of Cordyceps per day or by
other more conventional methods. After 6 days,
the group that received Cordyceps had recovered
89% of their normal kidney function, whereas the
control group had recovered only 45% of normal
kidney function. The time-to-recovery was also
signifi cantly shorter in the Cordyceps group when
compared to the control group.5