(Grifola frondosa)
Description
The maitake mushroom can grow to the size of a basketball. Historically, maitake has been used as a food to help promote wellness and vitality. Recent scientific research has focused on its immune-enhancing properties. The primary compounds responsible for its effects are polysaccharides known as beta-glucans. In maitake, these polysaccharides have a unique structure that allows them to bind to receptors on the outer membranes of white blood cells to activate them to trigger a chain reaction leading to increased immune activity.
Health Benefits
The primary health benefits of maitake as a dietary supplement have focused on the use of extracts rich in the active beta-glucan fractions (D- and MD-). The beta-1,6-glucan and beta-1,3-glucan fractions of maitake have a greater number of branching side chains that are able to activate a greater variety of white blood cells to improve immune function.
Available Forms
- Maitake: Available as a food as well as in bulk form as the dried fruit in capsules and tablets. Maitake extracts are also available in capsules, tablets, and liquid products.
Dosage
- Powdered maitake mushroom: 3–7 grams daily.
- Maitake extracts: 35–70 mg of the D- or MD-fraction daily during acute need and 5–15 mg per day for daily support.