Maitake
Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa)
A medicinal mushroom that supports immune function, blood sugar balance, and healthy weight management.
Maitake, meaning 'dancing mushroom' in Japanese, has been used in Asian medicine for centuries. It's particularly rich in beta-glucans, especially the unique D-fraction and MD-fraction. Research shows benefits for immune function, blood sugar regulation, and metabolic health. It's one of the most studied mushrooms for supporting healthy blood glucose levels.
Mechanisms of Action
Immune Activation
Activates natural killer cells and macrophages
Blood Sugar Support
Helps maintain healthy blood sugar
Metabolic Support
Supports healthy metabolism
Recommended Dose
1-3g dried mushroom or 500-1500mg extract daily
Loading: Not required
Optimal Timing
- With meals (especially for blood sugar benefits)
- Divided doses
Take with food
Best Form
Maitake D-fraction or MD-fraction extract
Alternatives: Whole mushroom powder, Dried mushroom, Capsules
D-fraction and MD-fraction are concentrated, standardized extracts. Whole mushroom provides all compounds.
Duration
Minimum: 4 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Taking with meals may optimize blood sugar-regulating effects.
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Enhanced Immune Function
Stronger immune response
Blood Sugar Balance
More stable blood sugar levels
Weight Management
May support healthy weight
Monitor blood sugar closely; may need medication adjustment
Who Should NOT Take This
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Maitake or related compounds
Drug Interactions
May enhance blood sugar lowering; monitor levels
May have mild antiplatelet effects — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Monitor blood sugar if diabetic
Warnings
- Monitor blood sugar if taking diabetes medications
- Stop before surgery due to potential blood sugar effects
Top studies from 38+ peer-reviewed papers
Górska-Jakubowska S et al. • Nutrients (2025)
“In this review, we aim to analyze the anti-cancer effects of edible/medicinal mushrooms, including Schizophyllum commune, Trametes versicolor, Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes, Laetiporus sulphureus, Boletus edulis, and Phellinus igniarius, as well as their potential anti-cancer mechanisms, providing strong theoretical support for the further development of edible/medicinal mushroom anti-cancer products.”
Key Findings:
- In recent years, the incidence rate of cancer has been on the rise all over the world, and the age of cancer patients has shown a younger trend, which seriously endangers patients' health.
- Although the anti-cancer potential of edible and medicinal mushrooms has been widely studied in the past, this review focuses on the most recent literature from the last five years, providing an up-to-date and comprehensive summary of the current findings.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Gariboldi MB et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
“We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.”
Key Findings:
- In this article, we reviewed mushrooms showing antineoplastic activity again breast cancer cells, especially focusing on the possible bioactive compounds involved and their mechanisms of action.
- In particular, the following mushrooms have been considered: Agaricus bisporus, Antrodia cinnamomea, Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes, and Pleurotus ostreatus.
- We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.
Xu J et al. • Nutrients (2022)
“In summary, there is a need to continue to explore the use of those extracts and to further validate their safety and efficacy.”
Key Findings:
- Our review summarizes the research progress on the anticancer properties of edible and medicinal fungi and the underlying molecular mechanism, which may offer a better understanding of this field.
- Additionally, few studies have reported the safety and efficacy of extracts from edible and medicinal fungi, which may limit their clinical application.
- In summary, there is a need to continue to explore the use of those extracts and to further validate their safety and efficacy.
Roghani-Shahraki H et al. • Journal of cellular physiology (2021)
“Using herbal products, such as teas and mushrooms, or their derivatives, Rosmarinus officinalis Linn, Curcuma longa, Green tea, Lippia triphylla, Lippia citriodora, Plantago asiatica L, Vine tea, and Grifola frondosa have been proved to exert several therapeutic impacts on lipid profile and its related disorders, and we would provide a brief review on them in this literature.© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.”
Key Findings:
- Therefore, finding a suitable approach for the prevention and treatment of lipid profile-related disorders is in the spotlight.
- Recently, herbal therapy has been considered a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of hyperlipidemia or its related disorders due to its safety and efficacy.
- Hereby, we address the potential benefits of some of these herbal compounds on different aspects of lipid profile and its abnormalities with a special focus on their underlying mechanisms.
Hetland G et al. • Nutrients (2020)
“This article reviews preclinical and clinical findings with these mushrooms and the mechanisms behind them.”
Key Findings:
- Since a predominant Th2 milieu is also found in cancer, which quite often is caused by a local chronic inflammation, the three conditions-tumor, inflammation and allergy-seem to be linked.
- Further mechanisms for HE were increased nerve and beneficial gut microbiota growth, and oxidative stress regulation.
- The medicinal mushrooms AbM, HE and GF appear to be safe, and can, in fact, increase longevity in animal models, possibly due to reduced tumorigenesis and oxidation.
- This article reviews preclinical and clinical findings with these mushrooms and the mechanisms behind them.
Study Type Distribution
Goals This Supplement Supports
Related Goals
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.