The maiitake mushroom is indigenous to northeastern provinces in Japan, where it features in local dishes and is used medicinally to strengthen immunity, balance blood sugar and promote wellness. Maitake literally means, “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. This name was given because anyone lucky enough to stumble across this delicious and highly beneficial mushroom would be sure to jump with joy.

Clinical investigation into Maitake has become popular of late as more and more studies confirm its efficacy as an anti-tumour, anti-diabetic and anti-viral agent. In 1992 the Japan Institute of Health and National Cancer Institute confirmed Maitake’s anti-viral activity. Maitake’s anti-H.I.V. action has also been the subject of research and has yielded interesting results. Current studies are investigating Maitake’s beneficial effect in the treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol and cancer.

Balancing Blood Sugar, Adaptogenic Immunity/Weight Loss

MAIITAKE FURTHER READING & SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES

Balancing Blood Sugar

Many doctors in Japan use Maitake to balance blood sugar.

Maitake’s anti-diabetic activity is profound, often noticeable within only a week of use. Maitake has also been shown to benefit people suffering with non-insulin-dependant diabetes. This was documented by Hiroaki Nanaba and Keiko Kubo, in the book “Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products”. Clinical investigations have focused on a particular, high-molecualr polysaccharide in Maitake, which is refered to as the “X-Fraction”. It has been demonstrated that mice given Maitake extract have an increased ability to recognise and metabolise glucose, and that the control group had higher blood sugar levels. This research suggests that Maitake reduces insulin resistance, and thereby increases insulin sensitivity. Two such studies are documented below…

1. Anti-diabetic Activity Present in the Fruit Body of Maitake
Biol. Pharm. Bull. 17(8) P.1106-1110 (1994),

(Abstract)
The fruit body of Grifola frondosa (maitake), Basidiomycetes was confirmed to contain substances with anti-diabetic activity. When 1g/d of powdered fruit body of Maitake was given orally to a genetically diabetic mouse (KK-A^y), blood glucose reduction was observed, in contrast to the control group in which the blood glucose increased with feeding of maiitake. Ether-ethanol-soluble (ES) and hot water-soluble (WS) fractions were prepared from the fruit body and their hypoglycaemic activity was examined. Blood glucose-lowering activity was found when ES-fraction or WE-50% ethanol float (X) was administered orally, but other WS-fraction were inactive. These results suggest that the anti-diabetic activity was present not only in the ES-fraction consisting of lipid but also in the X-fraction of peptidoglycan (sugar: protein=65:35).

2. Anti-Diabetic Mechanism of Maitake
Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products
Royse (ed.) 1996 Penn State Univ. ISBN 1-883956-01-3

(Abstract)
Glucose tolerance tests were conducted on KK-A^y mice, model animals of NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus). The elevated blood glucose levels after 15 minutes and 30 minutes of Maitake-fed group were 0.64 times and 0.76 times those of the control group respectively, indicating inhibition of a significant blood glucose increase. Insulin receptor capability of liver cells then was examined using the liver perfusion method. Downward regulation was observed among the Maitake-fed group, while a state of tolerance was seen among the control group. Next, glucose absorption activity at the enteron and sucrase activity at the mucosa of the small intestine were examined. Neither inhibition of glucose at the small intestine nor inhibition of sucrase activation was observed when Maitake powder or X-fraction was administered. These results suggested that Maitake's anti-diabetic activity is not related to the inhibition of glucose absorption at the enteron, but with the process of metabolism of absorbed glucose.

Adaptogenic Immunity

Adaptogens help you adapt to physical or emotional stress and help your body regulate hormonal functions and bring your body to balance. For example an adaptogen can raise low blood pressure and lower high blood sugar. This balancing act has a profound effect on the body’s innate immunity.

Maitake mushrooms have strong immune stimulating properties and can benefit a wide range of common health problems. This mushroom has been shown to be a first-class adaptogen. Adaptogens regulate and normalize many important body functions, and help your system cope with stress. All mushroom adaptogens contain polysaccharides. The Maitake mushroom has been shown to contain a very high content of a unique polysaccharide called beta-D-glucan, which researchers consider to be one of the most powerfully beneficial polysaccharides. Maitake extract is a safe addition to the diet and can help accelerate the rate of self-healing for many immune-related health problems and a multitude of health disorders.

Much research has been conducted on antioxidants to help the human body reduce oxidative damage. Mau (2002) determined that Grifola frondosa and Hericium erinaceus have aided oxidant reduction by 39.6 percent and 69.4 percent, respectively. Several studies have been conducted to measure Maitake’s effect on obesity. In animal studies, lack of weight gain or weight loss was significant (Ohtsuru, 1992). In an obesity study on humans by Dr. Yokota (1992), 30 patients were given a powdered Maitake food supplement for two months with no change in their regular diets. All patients successfully lost 7-13 pounds

Additional Information: The mushroom extract is in an alcohol base, which can be steamed off by putting the extract into hot water (and then allowing to cool) before taking.

There is 1g of mushroom extract for each ml, 100ml per bottle.

The suggested daily dose is 2ml twice daily as maintenance or doubled to 4ml twice daily if treating a specific condition.