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Study of Ginseng and Cordyceps for Low Energy Levels

This study is looking for healthy adults aged 40-65 who experience low energy. It aims to see if taking Panax ginseng or Cordycep Militaris supplements for four weeks can improve your aerobic capacity (how well your body uses oxygen during exercise), lactate kinetics (how your body handles lactic acid), and circulatory efficiency (how well your heart pumps blood). You would be randomly assigned to receive either ginseng, cordyceps, or a placebo (an inactive substance like a sugar pill). Researchers will measure these effects by comparing your results at the beginning of the study to your results after 30 days.

Study design
This is a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, three-arm, placebo-controlled study involving 75 participants.
What's involved
You would attend 3 study visits over 30 days. These visits include screening, medical history, blood work, and cognitive performance testing.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your progress will be measured at baseline and again after 30 days of treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07729943

A Trial to Study the Effects of Ginseng and Cordyceps on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide

Recruiting
NAAges 40–65InterventionalBasic science
Applied Food Sciences Inc.
~75 participants
Updated 2026-07-28 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Panax ginsengCordycep MilitarisPlacebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in VO2 max from baseline to day 30
Measured over Baseline and Day 30
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Healthy Subjects With Low Energy Levels

Explore related trials

Healthy Volunteers

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Ohio1

Who to contact

Michael Michael La Monica, Ph.D., CSCS
[email protected]
330.926.6927
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Provide voluntary signed and dated informed consent.
Be in good health and able to participate in cognitive performance testing as determined by assessment, medical history, and routine blood chemistries.
Between the of 40 and 65 years of age (inclusive).
Body Mass Index of 18.5-34.9 (inclusive).
Body weight of at least 110 pounds.
Normotensive (seated, resting systolic blood pressure \<140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure \< 90 mm Hg. If the first measurement is slightly elevated above these limits, the subject will be given a brief (5-minute) rest period, and two more measurements will be taken. The average of all three measurements will be used to determine eligibility.
Normal supine, resting heart rate (\<90 per minute).
Able to provide an adequate blood draw.
If a dietary supplement was initiated within the past month, the participant is willing to discontinue supplement use followed by a 2-week washout prior to participation in the study.
Willing to duplicate their previous 24-hour diet, refrain from caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours, refrain from exercise for 48 hours prior to each trial, and fast for 10 hours prior to each visit.
Recreationally active (≥3 exercise sessions/wk)

Exclusion

Smokers.
History of malignancy in the previous 5 years except for non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer of the skin).
Prior gastrointestinal bypass surgery (Lapband, etc.).
Other known gastrointestinal or metabolic diseases that might impact nutrient absorption or metabolism, e.g. electrolyte abnormalities, diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disease, hypogonadism, short bowel syndrome, diarrheal illnesses, history of colon resection, gastric ulcer, reflux disease, gastroparesis, Inborn-Errors-of-Metabolism (such as PKU).
Chronic medically diagnosed inflammatory condition or disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Lupus, HIV/AIDS, etc.).
Medical history of metabolic, cardiovascular, hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurologic disease.
Use of performance enhancing drugs
Anti-inflammatory supplement/medication use started within 4 weeks
Ergogenic supplement use started within 4 weeks. (i.e. beta-alanine, creatine, beet root, citrulline, arginine, )
Individuals with excessive caffeine intake (\>400mg/day).
Known sensitivity to any ingredient in the test formulations as listed in the Certificates- of-Analysis.
Women currently pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding a child.
Any other diseases or conditions that, in the opinion of the medical staff, could confound the primary endpoint or place the subject at increased risk of harm if they were to participate

What this trial measures

  • Change in VO2 max from baseline to day 30Baseline and Day 30

    Between and within-group changes in maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max). Oxygen consumption (VO2) for the maximal aerobic capacity test will be measured using an indirect calorimeter

  • Change in ventilatory thresholdBaseline Day 1 and then Day 30

    ventilatory threshold (VT) is measured using the The Professional Method (CPET) using the Oxygen consumption data (VO2) measured using an indirect calorimeter

  • Change in Circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse) over 30 daysBaseline Day 1, then Day 30

    Between and within-group changes in maximal in circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse). Circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse) will be calculated as the ratio of oxygen uptake (VO2) to heart rate at two time points: @VO2max and @VT

  • Change in Time-to-Exhaustion (TTE) over 30 daysDay 1 and Day 30

    Between and within-group changes in time-to-exhaustion (TTE). A cycle ergometer will be used for all cycling exercise sessions and contain a digital time reading.