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Information is taken from Maitake Mushroom and D-Fraction written by Shari Lieberman, Ph.D. and Ken Babal, C.N.
IMPROVING
THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PATIENTS WITH CANCER
In
October of 1995 at the Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment
Symposium in Tampa, Florida, a nonrandomized human study of
the efficacy of maitake mushroom against advanced cancers was
presented.
On
hundred and sixty-five patients participated in this study. They were between the ages of twenty-five and
sixty-five and were diagnosed with stage lll-lV advanced
cancer. All were given maitake D-Fraction 35-100 mg. (equivalent to
approximately 35-100 drops) per day along with maitake tablets
only, or D-fraction accompanied by chemotherapy.
Of
the 165 patients who participated in the study, tumor
regression or significant symptom improvements were observed
among 11 of 15 breast cancer patients; 12 of 18 lung cancer
patients and 7 of 15 liver patients.
When taken in conjunction with chemotherapy, the
response rates improved by 12 to 18 percent.
Most
patients taking Maitake claimed improvement of overall
symptoms and even when the regression of the tumor was not
observed. This
was a blind, placebo-controlled study, that suggests that
breast, lung and liver cancers are more favorably affected by
maitake than bone, stomach or blood (leukemia) the study also
demonstrated a synergistic effect with chemotherapy.
In some cases, maitake treatment alone was almost as
effective as combination therapy.
CLINICAL
CASES
1.
Male,
age 51 stage lll liver cancer
The
patient had received Adriamycin (ADM) since 1993, but refused
it because of insufficient effectiveness and severe side
effects. He has been taking 35 mg of D-fraction and 4 g of maitake
tablets per day. Eight
months later, bilirubin and albumin levels are improved.
Bilirubin reduced to 1.8 mg/dl from 4.7 mg/dl.
Albumin improved from 2.9 g/dl t 3.7 g/dl and
prothrombin activation was increased to 92 percent from 36
percent. Because
of tumor regression, his doctor reclassified him from stage
lll to stage ll.
2.
2.
Female,
age 53, stage lll lung cancer
In November 1993, this patient was diagnosed as stage lll-A.
Chemotherapy drugs SDDP 80 mg/m, CPA 350 mg/m and ADM
50 mg/m2 were administered. However, she gave up taking them
in March 1994 because of severe side effects. Since that time,
she has switched to taking 50 mg (50 drops) D-fraction and 4 g
of tablets. After
14months, she has improved and was upgraded to stage l.
3.
3.
Female, age 45, breast cancer
ER+ (estrogen receptor positive) was observed on this patient, who
had 1.8-cm diameter of tumor.
In April 1992, she underwent surgical removal of one
breast. She then received chemotherapy including 5-FU and ADM until
February 1994, but cancer recurrence (diameter 0.9cm) was
found in April 1994. She
refused to take surgery this time and started taking 100 mg
(approx. 100 drops) D-fraction and 5 g maitake tablets every
day. After six
months, the dose of D-fraction was reduced to 50 mg a day.
In May 1995, her physician confirmed a complete
regression of the recurred tumor.
4.
4.
Male, age 44, brain tumor
This is an example of D-fraction working very well. The patient has
taken 100 mg (approx. 100 drops) D-fraction and 6 g. maitake
tablet every day for four months without taking any other
medication, including chemotherapy and radiation.
He had received chemotherapy (Lomustine: CCNU) 135 mg
for four cycles beginning in February 1994.
Because of the severe side effects, no treatment was
given for four months before starting maitake administration. After
four months, the chicken-sized brain tumor was confirmed by
MRI to have completely disappeared.
Prostrate
Cancer and Apoptosis
Researchers
at the New York Medical College found that Maitake D-fraction
has apoptosis-inducing activity against prostate cells in
vitro. When
Prostate cancer cells were treated with D-fraction, almost
complete cell death was observed in twenty-four hours.
When
Maitake D-fraction was combined with vitamin C, a synergistic
effect was observed. As little as 1/16 to 1/8 of the original maitake dose
combined with vitamin C was found to be nearly as effective as
the maitake dose alone. These
results suggest that among the natural extracts tested,
D-fraction appears to have the most profound cytotoxic effect
on prostatic cancer cells.
D-FRACTION
APPROVED BY FDA FOR ST
UDY
In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a New Drug
(IND) application from Maitake Products, Inc. of New Jersey to
conduct phase ll clinical trials using maitake D-fraction on
advanced breast- and prostate cancer patients.
This
was due to consideration of previous maitake research; the FDA
authorized skipping a usual first phase toxicity study, 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.
This
is not the first natural substance study for use in medicine,
but it is one of very few ever known to have been FDA
approved. Without the FDA approval, maitake d-fraction cannot
be marketed as a cancer treatment, tumor reductor or
inhibitor.
“The
FDA study is a necessary first step to convince a skeptical
public and medical profession that nature provides the key to
good health and without the potential toxic side effects often
associated with chemically-produced medicines,” says Mike
Shirota, CEO and founder of Maitake Products, Inc.
“Maitake
D-fraction ultimately will be found to be beneficial in other
cancers and diseases such as AIDS and chronic fatigue.
Nutraceuticals, as opposed to pharmaceuticals, will
lead the way to an enlightened new century.”
LEADING
PRACTITIONERS COMMENT ON MAITAKE
IN
1994 Robert
Atkins, MD wrote in his newsletter, Health Revelations,
“Ralph Moss, author of several excellent books on cancer and
alternative therapies, has researched more than 100 natural,
effective cancer therapies.
When asked to identify the most promising one, …he
replied with just two words: medicinal mushrooms.”
In
the July 1996 issue, Dr. Atkins noted: “Some two years have
passed since I last wrote about what may be the best of cancer
antagonists, maitake mushrooms.
Since then, some significant scientific advances have
elevated the fungus even higher on my list of safe anti-cancer
agents.”
Andrew
Weil, M.D., a prominent figure in the field of
alternative/complimentary medicine, praised the “king of
mushrooms” in an article in Natural Health (May/June 1993):
“Research on the therapeutic properties of maitake is better
and more extensive than that on other species…this mushroom
is delicious.”
In
his book 8Weeks to Optimum Health, he states, “My tonic of choice at the
moment is an extract call maitake D-fraction, which
concentrates the immune-boosting constituents…and since
I’ve been using it I almost never get colds.”
HIV
and AIDS
Maitake’s
anti-HIV properties have been recognized in both Japan and the
U.S. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) confirmed the
efficacy of D-fraction against HIV early in 1992, one year
after the National Institute of Health (Japan) announced the
same conclusion.”
This
result indicated that D-fraction can PREVENT
HIV-infected helper T-cells
from being destroyed by as much as 97 percent in vitro. This is very important because measuring a patient’s helper
T-cells count is considered as a benchmark in monitoring the
progression of HIV to full-blown AIDS.
Moreover,
the researchers at NCI admitted that the maitake extract is as
powerful as AZT (a commonly prescribed drug for AIDS, and the
only FDA approved drug at the time) but without the toxic side
effects associated with AZT.
DIABETES
Diabetes
affects 16 million Americans, of whom approximately 95% are
non-insulin dependent (Type ll).
Diabetes can cause death and is a risk factor for other
diseases, including atherosclerosis, kidney disease and loss
of nerve function.
Maitake
has been confirmed to contain substances with anti-diabetic
activity. Recent studies indicate that maitake can control blood
glucose levels by reducing insulin resistance and enhancing
insulin sensitivity.
Maitake’s
immuno-potentiating qualities may be part of the mechanism
that helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
A weakened immune system contributes to an elevated
blood glucose level and further weakens the immune system.
As
mentioned previously, maitake is free from the side effects
often associated with conventional drug treatment.
Maitake will not affect blood sugar levels in-patients
without diabetes.
THE
WAY OF THE FUTURE…
“Nutraceuticals,
as opposed to pharmaceuticals, will lead the way to an
enlightened new century.” Mike Shirota, CEO Maitake
Products, Inc.
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