How does Cordyceps modulate the immune system according to evidence?
It acts as a bidirectional modulator, capable of both stimulating and suppressing the immune response.
The immune system effects of Cordyceps are characterized by a complex, dual capacity, described as bidirectional modulation. This means the fungus can respond to the body's needs dynamically. In scenarios where the immune system needs boosting, such as fighting off pathogens, Cordyceps extracts have been shown to potentiate immune function by improving the phagocytosis capability of macrophages and enhancing the activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells. Conversely, in situations where the immune system is overactive, such as in autoimmune conditions or post-transplant scenarios, it exhibits a suppressive capability, helping to attenuate conditions like lupus or augmenting the effects of immunosuppressant drugs by reducing T-cell infiltration.
