“Maitake” means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese, and it has been said that the mushroom got its name after people danced around with happiness after they found Maitake mushrooms in the wild hundreds of years ago. This glee they experienced stems from the possible healing and regenerative properties the mushroom has been purported to have to the human body.
Not only are these mushrooms found in Japan though as it's found to be in full bloom in other parts of the world as well. News regarding its capabilities have spread over the years to other countries where countless of people have begun enjoying its purported health benefits.
What are Maitake Mushrooms?
Maitake mushrooms grow in the wild regions of Japan and China, as well as in certain parts of North America. Often, it could be found growing at the bottom of Oak, Elm, and Maple trees.
Besides finding these in the wild though, it can also be cultivated and grown at home in your own private garden or backyard. The autumn months are the best time to go Maitake mushroom hunting as these are when they grow the best.
Even though this mushroom has been used all over China and Japan for thousands of years, its popularity only started to spread in the United States over the last two decades. Fitness experts, health buffs, and people from all ages and walks of life have been praising this mushroom for its ability to possibly help increase the health, vitality, and longevity of those who take it.
Health Benefits of Maitake Mushrooms
If you compare the Maitake mushroom to other types of mushrooms, several health benefits become apparent and stand out amongst the rest. The main reason the Maitake mushroom is seen as a health food is that it could possibly prevent and treat certain health conditions.
It could also affect the possible overall immunity of a person against sickness
and disease. Maitake mushrooms could be able to do all these things due to the many vitamins and minerals present in them. In fact, these mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, beta-glucans, vitamins B and C, copper, potassium, fiber, and amino acids. These are some of the minerals your body would need in order to maintain itself in tip-top condition, as well as be able to fight off infection and the development of any disease.
Weight Loss
The Maitake mushroom is full of fiber and will help you feel full longer. It is also a low caloric food so munching on it won’t cause you to gain unnecessary weight.
There also seems to be evidence that it will help support weight loss. A study conducted by Yokata gave 30 overweight adults Maitake mushrooms daily. They also didn’t do anything to their existing diets. After a couple of months, participants have reported having lost weight -- an average of 7 to 13 lbs per person.
Gut Health
It seems as though the Maitake mushroom isn’t just for weight loss, but it also appears to affect our digestive system too. Researchers from the College of Pharmacy at Yeungnam University in Korea observed that the mushroom demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract, which seems to point that Maitake mushrooms can also help symptoms of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
Lowering Cholesterol
Meanwhile, it was documented in a 2013 study, it was found that Maitake powdered extract lowered cholesterol when tested on laboratory mice. There was also an increase in the production of fatty acids seen which could provide additional energy. The researchers then theorised that eating Maitake mushrooms could help a person’s arteries become healthier and have fewer blockages present in them.
Are You Ready To Be Healthy?
Superfoods Australia is proud to offer you its Maitake Mushroom 10:1 Extract Powder.
This is a high potency dose of Maitake Extract, with 10kg of the mushrooms used to make 1kg of extract. You can take this extract with your favorite team tonics, elixirs, smoothies, or even on homemade food concoctions such as chocolate or ice cream. Just start off with ¼ to ½ a teaspoon of extract for every food or drink serving.
Maitake mushroom extract can even fit in the strictest of diets, which is perfect for those who watch what they eat very closely. This is because these mushrooms are fat-free, low in sodium, low in calories, and cholesterol-free. You wouldn’t need to worry about Maitake extract affecting your diet at all, while still receiving the potential benefits this superfood offers.
A Final Word
Maitake mushroom extract would seem to be a very good supplement for those who would want to keep a fit and healthy body, away from any potential disease or sickness. Not only does Maitake extract bring a multitude of positive and healthy effects, but it could also help in the prevention of certain ailments one could suffer from in their lives.
Please be reminded to only buy Maitake mushroom extract from reputable health stores like Superfoods Australia, where all our products are responsibly sourced and tested. Only the best and highest quality Maitake mushrooms are used in the production of our extract products.
