MAITAKE or HEN OF THE WOODS and with it a photo of Michael with the biggest one yet (from several years ago now) Apollo Botanica MUSHROOM DEFENSE uses a triple extraction method, beginning with hot water extracts, to extract and blend maitake, reishi, shiitake, chaga, and turkey tail mushrooms, then blended with Organic Turmeric and Ginger Roots. Maitake Mushroom ~ Grifola frondosa, Meripilaceae Maitake is a polypore mushroom that grows in clusters at the base of trees, particularly oaks. The mushroom is commonly known among English speakers as Hen-of-the-Woods. In the United States’ supplement market, as well as in Asian grocery stores, the mushroom is known by its Japanese name “Maitake”, which means “dancing mushroom”. The fungus is native to the northeastern part of Japan and North America, and is prized in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbology as a medicinal mushroom G. frondosa is a perennial fungus that often grows in the same place for a number of years in succession. Hen of the woods have been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to enhance the immune system. Researchers have also indicated that whole maitake has the ability to regulate blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and both serum and liver lipids, such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids. Maitake is rich in minerals (such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium), various vitamins (B2, D2 and niacin), fibers and amino acids. One active constituent in Maitake for enhancing the immune activity was identified in the late 1980s as a protein-bound BETA-GLUCAN compound. In 2009, a phase I/II human trial, conducted by Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, showed Maitake could stimulate the immune systems of breast cancer patients. Small experiments with human cancer patients and in vitro experiments, have shown Maitake can stimulate immune system cells, like NK cells. An in vivo experiment showed that Maitake could stimulate both the innate immune system and adaptive immune system. In vitro research has shown Maitake can induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines (human prostatic cancer cells, Hep 3B cells, SGC-7901 cells, murine skin carcinoma cells) as well as inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells (canine cancer cells, bladder cancer cells). Small studies with human cancer patients, revealed a portion of the Maitake mushroom, known as the “Maitake D-fraction”, possess anti-cancer activity. In vitro research demonstrated the mushroom has potential anti-metastatic properties. Research has shown Maitake has a hypoglycemic effect, and may be beneficial for the management of diabetes. The reason Maitake lowers blood sugar is due to the fact the mushroom naturally contains a alpha glucosidase inhibitor. Maitake contains antioxidants and may partially inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase. An experiment showed that an extract of Maitake inhibited angiogenesis via inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). [1] Deng G, Lin H, Seidman A, et al. (September 2009). “A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects”. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 135. [2] Kodama N, Komuta K, Sakai N, Nanba H (December 2002). “Effects of D-Fraction, a polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa on tumor growth involve activation of NK cells”. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 25 (12): 1647–50. [3] Kodama N, Murata Y, Nanba H (2004). “Administration of a polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa stimulates immune function of normal mice”. Journal of Medicinal Food 7 (2): 141–5. [4] Kubo K, Aoki H, Nanba H (August 1994). “Anti-diabetic activity present in the fruit body of Grifola frondosa (Maitake). I”. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 17 (8): 1106–10. [5] Zhang Y, et al (December 2002). “Cyclooxygenase inhibitory & antioxidant compounds from the mycelia of the edible mushroom Grifola frondosa”. Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry 50 (26): 7581–5. [6] Lee JS, Park BC, Ko YJ, et al. (December 2008). “Grifola frondosa (maitake mushroom) water extract inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis through inhibition of reactive oxygen species and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation”. Journal of Medicinal Food 11 (4): 643–51.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 00:31:19 +0000
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