Maitake is a polypore mushroom that grows in clusters at the base of trees, particularly oaks. It has gained popularity due its various health properties such as boosting the immune system, managing cholesterol levels and increasing the benefits of chemotherapy. 

Package Quantity

Each pouch contains 90 Vegan Capsules containing 500mg.

Quality Components 

-Polysaccharides: 50%

-Beta D Glucan: 30%

-Fruiting Body Extract 

-Organic Certified

Maitake Main Uses

1. Cancer | Chemotherapy Support

2. Boost Immune Health

3. Diabetes 

4. Cholesterol

1. Cancer | Chemotherapy Support

Like other medicinal mushrooms such as Turkey Tail & Lion's Mane, Maitake contains a complex sugar called beta-glucan. In studies, maitake extract was able to stimulate various cells and factors in the immune system. Studies in animals have shown that maitake can slow the growth of certain tumors.

Interesting studies:

A 1997 paper by Nanba reported a 12-28% increase in the benefits of chemotherapy in patients using maitake. 

Further studies confirmed alleviation of side effects from chemotherapy, including loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea and hair loss.

2. Boost Immune Health

Studies have shown that Maitake can stimulate cytokine production. 

Cytokines are small proteins that crucial in controlling the growth and activity of other immune system cells and blood cells. When Cytokines are released, they signal the immune system to do its job. 

Furthermore, Cytokines affect the growth of all blood cells and other cells that help the body's immune and inflammation responses. 

A 3-week study of a group of healthy young women taking Maitake mushrooms recorded improvements in their immune systems. This study revealed, that maitake was not only able to stimulate cytokine production but also triggered both stimulatory (IL-2) and suppressive (IL-10) cytokines. That means they were able to increase the cytokines, but not past a certain level so they got out of control. 

3. Diabetes 

Maitake has demonstrated positive results in being able to positively impact glucose levels. When living with diabetes, the body is unable to get the sugar from blood into cells. This causes high levels of blood sugar, or high glucose levels.

4. Cholesterol

Clinical studies have shown, that Maitake can assist in lowering Cholesterol levels by lowering blood glucose levels. 

A study, performed on rats, found that maitake powder extract lowered cholesterol. The results of this study demonstrate that Maitake lowered the serum total cholesterol level by enhancement of fecal cholesterol excretion, and in particular, by enhancement of hepatic LDL receptor mRNA. 

🥄 Preventative Dosage (you are being proactive): Take 4 capsules per day (½ month supply) 

🥄 Reactive Dosage (you are using Maitake for treatment): 6 capsules per day (2 week supply)

What is the % of Polysaccharides?

Our Maitake contains 50% polysaccharides. 

What does the Fruiting body or Mycelium mean in the context of Maitake? 

A fruiting body is generally what you would visually recognize as a mushroom. It is fleshy, contains spores, and grows above ground or directly on the surface of its host, like a tree or old log. The mushroom's fruiting body comprises of a stem, cap, and gills, which are what the general populace would eat in a culinary dish, but in nature, it acts primarily as the reproductive component of a fungal system, dispersing spores and inoculating hosts. 

Mycelium is the main body and feeding membrane of a mushroom. It grows underground or within the host plant. While it might not look like much, the mycelium acts much like a complex network that can communicate with and adapt to its surrounding environment. Think of it like the roots of the mushrooms. 

Which one is better Mycelium or the Fruiting body? 

Fruiting bodies are considered “full spectrum” as they provide a wider array of the mushroom’s nutritional components. Fruiting bodies offer more minerals, including phosphorous, copper, zinc, and potassium. Fruiting body extracts also contain higher concentrations of vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin D, beta-carotene, and various B vitamins. 

Mycelium, on the other hand, was primarily created as a “cheaper” alternative that was quicker to produce. Mycelium unfortunately contains very little of the important compounds, vitamins, and nutrients of the actual mushroom. 

Furthermore, mycelium is not allowed to be considered a mushroom by the FDA, but many companies in the mushroom extract industry will hide this with clever labels.

Which one is Antioxi's made up of? 

The product is a 100% fruiting body extract. The extract provides a concentrated form of the glyconutrients and healthy components present in maitake. The fruiting body is where the magic is. 

What is difference between Maitake Powder and Maitake Extract? 

An extract is a preparation that results from taking raw plant material and applying a solvent to it, such as water or alcohol. The solvent causes the dissolvable compounds to be separated from the structural part of the plant or mushroom. Extracts contain high levels of the active ingredient a particular herb or mushroom is known for. 

Another advantage of extracts over raw herbs is higher bioavailability – a fancy term that means they are easier for the body to absorb and use. 

What are the different extraction methods? 

Currently there are 3 methods of extracting said nutrients: Water, Alcohol and Dual (both). 

A hot water extract is exactly what it sounds like – using hot water to dissolve water-soluble ingredients from raw herbs or mushrooms. The same process is undergone for Alcohol extraction where the water is substituted for alcohol. In some cases, it may be beneficial to use both water and alcohol extraction – a method referred to as a dual or double extraction. 

Which extraction method is better? 

When shopping around for mushroom supplements, it is beneficial to know what kind of extraction method is used for your specific product. This will ensure that you are getting a high-quality supplement that actually works. 

If you are looking for a Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, or Maitake mushroom product, you should look for a hot water extract product. This is because their most important active ingredients – beta-glucans – are water-soluble. Using alcohol or dual extraction for these mushrooms is not desirable, because alcohol would cause some of the beta-glucans to solidify and be filtered out of the liquid. 

On the other hand, the Reishi and Chaga mushrooms benefit from dual extraction because they contain both water-soluble beta-glucans and alcohol-soluble terpenoids. 

Is it safe to consume during pregnancy? 

Generally speaking, if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, we recommend seeking medical advice before taking maitake or any of our other products. 

Furthermore, to date, there has been no concerted investigation into the use of maitake mushroom in pregnancy and lactation.