Threshold #15 | Mushrooms are powerful

Oi this is a fitness newsletter.

Hear me out a second.

Mushrooms can enhance your training, physiology and provide a tasty option for dinner.

More specifically, for this newsletter, we’re going to focus on cordyceps. They are know as the King of Mushrooms.

So what can they do?

Mushrooms are powerful

Mushrooms are a powerful food. Despite their low caloric value, they pack a lot of nutritional punch, and can even help you gain energy. However, not everyone likes mushrooms or has access to them in their local grocery stores (unless you luckily live next to M&S with amazing exotic mushrooms). If you're looking for an enhanced energy boost without adding calories into your diet, consider trying cordyceps.

The "King of Mushrooms" - cordyceps - is said to have such strong benefits that it's used by Tibetan monks as part of their meditation practice.

Maybe meditation isn’t for you, but if you look on Amazon & Instagram, the sheer number of nutrition brands launching cordyceps’ product should make your ears prick up and wonder “what can they do for me?”.

Cordyceps is the mushroom for an energy boost (we think)

If you're looking for an enhanced energy boost, try cordyceps.

Cordyceps is a powerful microbe. It has been shown to increase the amount of oxygenated blood in the body and if you’re fit this can help lead to you using more of that oxygen during training. This is through the increasing of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - this is crucial for delivering energy to your muscles. It can also helps with fatigue and depression, making it a great addition for those who want to feel more energized throughout the day.

But how much more effective can they make you? One study showed an increase in VO2 max by 7%, participants in this study who were given the placebo showed no improvement. Imagine having close to 10% extra to give during performance? However in well trained athletes, there is still some debate as to the effectiveness. 

This means for most of us - age groupers, part time hybrid athletes - there may be something to consuming cordyceps.

That being said as further studies take place & more high performance athletes

So take this with a pinch of salt & do your own research - but if you believe cordyceps may help you, give them a go.

Cordyceps & anti-ageing

Cordyceps contains powerful antioxidants that can help you gain energy and fight off illness. If you reduce illness, in theory this can increase longevity.

That’s a big claim, and up for a lot of scrutiny. In one study mice who were given cordyceps lived several months longer than the mice given a placebo. Another with fruit flies showed the same results.

The mechanism for this “improved the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and lowered the level of lipid peroxidation and monoamine oxidase activity in the aged mice.”

Put simply, if this is proven out and cordyceps can improve the conditions the body experiences, there may be benefits to taking them daily. If something reduces illness and enhances blood oxygen, my personal thoughts are it’s worth testing. Assuming no negative side effects are experienced.

You can read the whole study here: 

Conclusion

While it's true that mushrooms are a powerful source of nutrients, they're not for everyone. You may want to try cordyceps if you're looking for an energy boost or other benefits from this microbe. This type of mushroom has been shown in studies to improve athletic performance and if you’re looking for the next big supplement to help you with marginal gains.

So that’s how mushrooms are powerful.

Shop natural supplements formulated to enhance performance: 

🌱💊 542 Performance Nutrition Daily Green’s ultimate super greens capsules are a perfect blend of superfoods, vitamins, minerals and wholefood-sourced ingredients enhancing your immune system to help you perform in training.

🍄 542 Performance Nutrition Mushroom+ capsules are single-ingredient, high-strength mushroom supplements, helping you deliver energy to your body for training.

💪 542 Performance Nutrition Marine Collagen is the highest quality, and most bioavailable source of collagen available, helping to provide structural integrity to joints and bones.

💤 542 Performance Nutrition Ashwagandha+ (KSM66) is formulated with Cordyceps & Ginseng to help combat stress and adrenal fatigue, while also supporting the immune system, energy levels & mental performance. 

🏋️‍♂️ 542 Performance Nutrition Plant Protein delivers 17g of premium vegan protein per serving with just 1.5g of carbs, 88 calories & no artificial sweeteners.

🏋️‍♂️ 542 Performance Nutrition Whey Protein delivers 22g of premium whey protein per serving with just 1.2g of carbs, 108 calories & no artificial sweeteners.

Pyramid threshold run: 3* 1km 

Warm up:

• 2km @ Z1/2 heart rate

Main set:

• 1km @ 90% 10km race pace

• 300m rest

• 1km @ 95% 10km race pace

• 300m rest

• 1km @ 100-110% of race pace

• 300m rest

Cool down:

• 2km @ Z1/Z2 heart rate

Thank you as always for reading this weekly newsletter. Every single person who joins the community is truly exciting.

The best way of supporting Threshold is to pass it on to someone you know cares about their health & fitness.

Have a great week ahead.

Robert