Maitake
Mushroom and D-fraction - the Powerful Healing Abilities of an
Ancient Remedy
Mushrooms
and other fungi have been called "the third
kingdom." Being neither plant nor animal, they are a
world unto themselves. Their genetic make-up is actually
closer to that of humans and animals than to plants. (We
share approximately 30 percent of our DNA with
mushrooms. While plants absorb carbon dioxide and
liberate oxygen, mushrooms mimic human respiration by
capturing oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. But unlike
humans who need light and fresh food, mushrooms feed on moist
decaying, organic matter in deep shade.
The
scientific name of maitake, Grifola frondosa, is derived from
the common name of a mushroom in Italy and refers to a
mythical beast which is half-lion and half-eagle.
Maitake is indigenous to the northeastern part of Japan.
The mushroom has a rippling appearance with no caps and grows
in clusters at the foot of oak trees. To the Japanese,
this conveys an image of dancing butterflies, thus the name
maitake (pronounced my TAH keh), literally "dancing
mushroom." Others say that maitake is so named
because people who found it deep in the mountains would begin
dancing with joy because of its delicious taste and wonderful
health benefits.
It
is interesting to note that elsewhere in the world (outside of
the US), especially in Japan, maitake and other mushroom
extracts are considered to be frontline medical
"drugs. Studies show maitake can:
-
Activate
the immune system
-
Hamper
growth and spread of cancer cells
-
Protect
normal cells from environmental carcinogens
-
Reduce
side effects and augment chemotherapy and other radiation
treatments
-
Activate
the body's immune defenses against bacterial and viral
infections
-
Prevent
reducing CD4 cells in AIDS patients
-
Help
to halt HIV proliferation
-
Reduce
symptoms due to infection among HIV/AIDS patients
-
Normalize
blood sugar levels and the body's insulin response
-
Lower
blood pressure and cholesterol
-
Play
a key role in weight loss
Maitake
is considered to be the fourth therapy in cancer treatment -
after chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. In
preliminary government-sanctioned studies, prostate and breast
cancer patients given Maitake D-fraction have experienced
growth inhibition, symptom release, tumor marker reduction,
and immune enhancement. The more doctors learn about
maitake mushroom, the more excited they become about its
long-term health benefits.
To
learn more about this natural healing agent see our information
page on Maitake products.
*reprinted with permission from:
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