Healthy Subjects With Low Energy LevelsNCT07729943
A Trial to Study the Effects of Ginseng and Cordyceps on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide
A study testing Panax ginseng and Cordycep Militaris in people with Healthy Subjects With Low Energy Levels, run by Applied Food Sciences Inc. at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study is a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial of seventy-five (75) apparently healthy male and female participants to be recruited at a single investigational center in Northeast Ohio (i.e., The Center for Applied Health Sciences). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Subjects With Low Energy Levels
- What is being tested?
- Panax ginseng and Cordycep Militaris
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 75 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Mar 2026to 1 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Show all 11Show fewer
- 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)
Who cannot join
- -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.
Show all 13Show fewer
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
The Center for Applied Health Sciences
Canfield, Ohio, 44406
Jennifer Sandrock, MS RD, CCRC, 330.926.6927, jh@appliedhealthsciences.org
Tim N Ziegenfuss, PhD, CSCS, FISSN, 330.926.6927, tz@appliedhealthsciences.org
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Ginseng, Cordyceps, and Placebo on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide Status: A 30-Day Randomized Trial
This study is a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial of seventy-five (75) apparently healthy male and female participants to be recruited at a single investigational center in Northeast Ohio (i.e., The Center for Applied Health Sciences). The study will assess the potential benefits of four weeks of supplementation with 300 mg Ginseng or 1 gram Cordyceps Militaris (vs. placebo). Participants will attend 3 study visits. During Visit 1, participants will be screened for participation (i.e., medical history, routine blood work, background baseline diet and familiarization protocol will be completed). During Visit 2 (Day 0) and Visit 3 (Day 30) participants will complete subjective baseline testing including questionnaires that assess recovery, mood, energy, fatigue, and quality of life. They will complete a VO2 max test, a TTE test, isometric mid-thigh pull, and have their handgrip strength assessed. They will also be tested for changes in circulating nitrates/nitrites (NOx), circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse), and lactate kinetics (production and clearance).
Comprehensive side effect profile/ adverse event monitoring will take place throughout thevstudy duration. The study will be conducted following ICH-GCP guidelines to ensure subject safety and scientific integrity of the data.
- Conditions
- Healthy Subjects With Low Energy Levels
- Being tested
- Panax ginseng, Cordycep Militaris, Placebo
- Keywords
- Cordyceps (Cordyceps Militaris), Panax Ginseng, VO2Max, NOx, Circulatory efficiency
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Panax ginsengDietary supplement
Panax Ginseng extract standardized to 5% ginsenosides
Cordycep MilitarisDietary supplement
Also called Cordycep mushroom extract, MycoThrive Cordycep Extract
Cordycep extract standardized to Cordycepin 0.25% Adenosine 0.15%
PlaceboOther
1 gram maltodextrin to mirror 1 gram capsule active
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ginseng | Experimental | 250 mg Panax Ginseng extract Receives: Dietary Supplement: Panax ginseng |
| Cordyceps | Active comparator | 1 gram cordyceps militaris fruiting body mushroom extract Receives: Dietary Supplement: Cordycep Militaris |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Maltodextrin Receives: Other: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in VO2 max from baseline to 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
Measured: Baseline and Day 30
Change in ventilatory threshold
ventilatory threshold (VT) is measured using the The Professional Method (CPET) using the Oxygen consumption data (VO2) measured using an indirect calorimeter
Measured: Baseline Day 1 and then Day 30
Change in Circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse) over 30 days
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
Measured: Baseline Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Time-to-Exhaustion (TTE) over 30 days
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.
Measured: Day 1 and Day 30
Secondary outcomes (8)
Change in Handgrip Strength over 30 days
Between and within-group changes in handgrip strength using an isometric hand grip measured with a Jamar hand dynamometer.
Measured: Day 1, then at Day 30
Change in Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Peak Force over 30 days
Between and within-group changes in isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) peak force measured with the PASCO force platform.
Measured: Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Lactate Kinetics over 30 days
Between and within-group changes in lactate kinetics (production and clearance) measured with a Lactate Plus Meter
Measured: Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Total Nitrates / Nitrites (NOx) over 30 days
Between and within-group changes in total nitrates/nitrites (NOx). Total nitrates/nitrites in serum/plasma (NOx) will be sent for third party analysis Pre- exercise baseline (PRE) samples will be taken after a 10-15 min seated rest, before any testing. POST samples will be taken post-VO₂max (POST-VO₂max), 10 min after the VO2max test has been completed (quiet, no movement).
Measured: Day 1 then Day 30
Change in Quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) over 30 days
Subjective measures of recovery, mood, energy, fatigue and quality of life. Short Form 36 will be measured using a standardized, validated questionnaire with standardized scores ranging from 0 to 100 with higher numbers indicating better health.
Measured: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Change in Profile Mood States (POMS) over 30 days
Profile of Mood States 2nd edition (POMS2). Profile mood state raw scores are converted into standardized T-scores (mean = 50, standard deviation = 10) to compare an individual against standardized normative data. The values represent an individual's rating (on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 = Not at all to 4 = Extremely).
Measured: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Change in Visual Analog Score (VAS) over 30 days
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a continuous, 10 cm line tool capped by extreme symptom anchors (e.g., "no pain" to "worst pain") used by patients to self-report the precise intensity of highly subjective conditions like pain, fatigue, and anxiety. (NIH)
Measured: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Change in Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) over 30 days
The Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) [3] is a single-item, 0- to 10-point scale with 2 sets of verbal anchors defining the numerical indicators of both recovery and expected performance, where 0 = very poorly recovered (poor performance) and 10 = fully recovered (optimal performance)
Measured: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Jul 2026
- Study start15 Mar 2026
- Primary completion25 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy Subjects With Low Energy LevelsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 75 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Applied Food Sciences Inc.
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- The Center for Applied Health Sciences, LLC
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07729943
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AFS-002-2025CG
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Confidentiality
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Ginseng, Cordyceps, and Placebo on Aerobic Capacity, Lactate Kinetics, and Nitric Oxide Status: A 30-Day Randomized Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07729943
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AFS-002-2025CG
- Conditions
- Healthy Subjects With Low Energy Levels
- Keywords
- Cordyceps (Cordyceps Militaris), Panax Ginseng, VO2Max, NOx, Circulatory efficiency
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 75 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Applied Food Sciences Inc.Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- The Center for Applied Health Sciences, LLC
- Study start
- 15 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial of seventy-five (75) apparently healthy male and female participants to be recruited at a single investigational center in Northeast Ohio (i.e., The Center for Applied Health Sciences). The study will assess the potential benefits of four weeks of supplementation with 300 mg Ginseng or 1 gram Cordyceps Militaris (vs. placebo). Participants will attend 3 study visits. During Visit 1, participants will be screened for participation (i.e., medical history, routine blood work, background baseline diet and familiarization protocol will be completed). During Visit 2 (Day 0) and Visit 3 (Day 30) participants will complete subjective baseline testing including questionnaires that assess recovery, mood, energy, fatigue, and quality of life. They will complete a VO2 max test, a TTE test, isometric mid-thigh pull, and have their handgrip strength assessed. They will also be tested for changes in circulating nitrates/nitrites (NOx), circulatory efficiency (oxygen pulse), and lactate kinetics (production and clearance).
Comprehensive side effect profile/ adverse event monitoring will take place throughout thevstudy duration. The study will be conducted following ICH-GCP guidelines to ensure subject safety and scientific integrity of the data.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ginseng | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Panax ginseng250 mg Panax Ginseng extract |
| Cordyceps | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Cordycep Militaris1 gram cordyceps militaris fruiting body mushroom extract |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Other: PlaceboMaltodextrin |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Provide voluntary signed and dated informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- -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.).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Panax ginsengPanax Ginseng extract standardized to 5% ginsenosides | Dietary supplement | Ginseng |
| Cordycep MilitarisAlso: Cordycep mushroom extract, MycoThrive Cordycep ExtractCordycep extract standardized to Cordycepin 0.25% Adenosine 0.15% | Dietary supplement | Cordyceps |
| Placebo1 gram maltodextrin to mirror 1 gram capsule active | Other | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Change in VO2 max from baseline to day 30
Time frame: Baseline 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 threshold
Time frame: Baseline 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 days
Time frame: Baseline 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 days
Time frame: Day 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.
8 secondary outcomes
Change in Handgrip Strength over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1, then at Day 30
Change in Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Peak Force over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Lactate Kinetics over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1, then Day 30
Change in Total Nitrates / Nitrites (NOx) over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1 then Day 30
Change in Quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Change in Profile Mood States (POMS) over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Change in Visual Analog Score (VAS) over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Change in Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) over 30 days
Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 30
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Confidentiality
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Panax ginseng and Cordycep Militaris in people with Healthy Subjects With Low Energy Levels, run by Applied Food Sciences Inc. at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Michael Michael La Monica, Ph.D., CSCS (330.926.6927, ml@appliedhealthsciences.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in VO2 max from baseline to day 30 (time frame: Baseline and Day 30). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Jul 2026.