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Maitake D-fraction

by totalhealth editors

any informed health professionals refer to maitake as “the king of immune-enhancing mushrooms” and maitake has enjoyed positive results in hundreds of published and nonpublished studies and clinical case reports regarding its effects on cancer, diabetes, Syndrome X, HIV and general immune strength. It can help us fortify our bodily defenses against disease-causing pathogens and even chemical toxins.

Most experts agree that a key to maitake’s immune stimulating properties is their content of polysaccharides—beta-glucans—that in experimental and clinical studies have shown potential for boosting immunity and preventing cancer.

No matter whether an infection is bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitical—maitake’s beta glucans powerfully activate the immune system and enhance the body’s healing response. The maitake D-faction activates macrophages, natural killer cells and other T cells to attack the tumor cells. It also potentiates the activity of various mediators, mainly lymphokines and interleukin-1 and interleukin-2, all of which activate the cell-mediated response.

What about maitake in relation to medical drugs? Take cancer as a basis for a comparison. We strongly consider maitake—especially its D-fraction—to be the fourth therapy in cancer treatment—after chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Immune therapy, the fourth therapy, complements each of these modalities. Maitake may complement such therapies or provide healing support and lead to remission when these other modalities fail. It is also known to have little or no side effects and the cost is far less than conventional treatments.

Maitake is also considered an adaptogen, which means that it helps the body adapt to stress and normalize body functions. In Far Eastern herbal medicine, maitake has been used as a tonic to strengthen the body and improve overall health.

In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an Investigational New Drug (IND) application from Maitake Products, Inc. of New Jersey to conduct phase II clinical trials using maitake D-fraction on advanced breast and prostate cancer patients. In consideration of previous maitake research, the FDA authorized skipping a usual first phase toxicity study and going directly to the second phase. The ongoing study will examine the immune-activating effect of maitake on tumor size, clinical symptoms and quality of life.

Although not the first study of a natural substance for use in medicine, it is one of only a few, with just one or two known ever to have been FDA approved.

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