Cordyceps for cats has many health benefits, including for their kidneys, diabetes, and lungs. No matter what age your cat is, cordyceps can help keep them healthy and feeling great!
Have you heard of the health benefits of Cordyceps for cats? The Cordyceps mushroom is related to two of the tastiest edible mushrooms: truffles and morels. This is important because palatability rules when it comes to giving cats healthy supplements. You know how picky our feline friends can be! Beyond that, cordyceps also have many functional benefits for young and old cats. Let’s look at three things this amazing mushroom can do for your furry friend!
1. Cordyceps can support the kidneys
Cats are prone to kidney disease, about a third of older cats have it. Some will get this often fatal disease early in life, but most cats will get it as adults. In numerous studies involving non-feline species, cordyceps has been shown to support kidney function and protect the kidneys from toxins such as certain antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs.1
In fact, there is such good evidence that Cordyceps promotes kidney health that I suggest you start giving your cat supplements right away. Whether your cat is young and healthy, aging, or has health issues, there is strong evidence to support the benefits of cordyceps for cats.
2. Cordyceps for cats with diabetes
Another great property of Cordyceps is that it can aid in healthy glucose regulation. Cats can develop type 2 diabetes, which is often associated with eating carbohydrate-rich (dry) foods. This mushroom works in two ways to help a diabetic cat. For starters, it may support healthy blood sugar levels thanks to its special polysaccharides. Plus, it can also normalize the body’s production of insulin, which can support healthy blood sugar levels in your cat.
3. How Cordyceps for Cats Can Help with the Lungs
A third property of Cordyceps (among many others too numerous to detail in this brief blog) is its beneficial effect on lung health. Some cats may develop bronchial asthma. Asthma is due, in part, to inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Cordyceps for cats support healthy lung function, which promotes healthy breathing.3 Additionally, although feline bronchial asthma is not associated with cardiovascular problems, Cordyceps may also have beneficial effects on heart health.4
Cordyceps mushroom extracts are highly concentrated, so there is no need to give your cat a large dose. Most cats will do well with just 1/8 teaspoon of Real Mushrooms Cordyceps Extract mixed into their food once or twice a day.
Visit Real Mushrooms to learn more about Cordyceps extract and to see the other great products they have for cats and dogs!
The references
1Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Tung YS, Kwan TH, Mok CK, Leung C, Chan LS. Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 12. Art. No: CD008353. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008353.pub2
2Ng, TB, Wang, HX Pharmacological actions of Cordyceps, a popular folk medicine. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (2005) 57:1509-1519.
3Wang, N., Huang, X., Chen, W., Chen, Y. Herbal medicine Cordyceps sinensis improves health-related quality of life in moderate to severe asthma. (2016) Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Flight 2016 Article ID: 6134593.
4Tuli, HS., Sandhu, SS and Sharma, AK Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Cordyceps with special reference to Cordycepin. (2014) 3 Biotech4:1-12; doi: 10.1007/s13205-013-0121-9.
Dr. Robert J. Silver graduated in 1982 from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He has pioneered the use of food, herbs and nutraceuticals in his integrative small animal practice in Boulder, Colorado for the past 25 years. He writes and speaks to national and international veterinary audiences on the value of combining holistic modalities with conventional medicine, and consults with the pet food industry. He is also the Chief Medical Officer of Real Mushrooms for Pets.
