Maitake

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(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.
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