What is maitake good for?

If you are looking for a natural aid to help improve your cardiovascular health and boost your immune system, then you have come across the right blog post! For today's post, we will be going through what maitake mushrooms' (as they are) and powdered supplements are actually good for as well as highlighting their main health benefits. You may have come across Maitake Mushrooms before, but just in case you haven't we shall begin today's post by looking at what maitake mushrooms are and how they become a popular remedy in natural medicine; just in case you are unfamiliar or never heard of the mushroom before! 

Maitake Mushrooms (also known as “hen-of-the-wood, sheep head & king of the mushrooms)

Maitake is a type of mushroom that forms in large clumps on tree stumps and roots. It was originally first used in Asian traditional medicine as they are believed to contain chemicals that can fight tumours, stimulate the immune system and even lower blood sugar levels. Maitake mushrooms have more recently been made into convenient supplements that are very popular amongst many people looking for a more natural approach to health care and well-being. Whilst the scientific study is still limited, many diabetic individuals and women with ovarian cysts regularly consume maitake as they believe it can help boost their immune system as well as regulate blood sugar levels! The Beta-glucan found in maitake is what's believed to help improve one's cardiovascular health (amongst other benefits). Beta-glucan is a type of polysaccharide that may help stimulate the immune system. It can be found in bacteria, plants and certain foods like baker's yeast and of course mushrooms! 

So, let's now look at what, else, maitake mushrooms are believed to be good for...

What is maitake good for?

Due to the belief that maitake contains Beta-glucan, maitake mushroom supplements are believed to be able to help improve our health in several ways. The Beta-glucan in maitake is believed to:

• Reduce bad cholesterol
• Improve artery functionality
• Lower your risk of heart disease
• Improve your overall cardiovascular health
• Balance blood glucose
• Boost immune function
• Reduce blood pressure 
• Promote fertility
• Protects the body from cellular damage

Due to maitake mushrooms being able to affect blood sugar levels and cholesterol, it’s advised to consult with your GP before trying them (in most cases) to ensure they are right for your needs as well as safe to take. You should most definitely seek medical advice before taking maitake if you have diabetes, heart problems or low blood pressure!  To go back to the topic of what Maitake mushrooms are good for; there is even a lot of discussion around maitakes' abilities to help fight against cancerous and tumour cells inside the body! Although, due to limited scientific studies these ‘benefits’ are in the grey area. The main reasons for taking maitake mushrooms (either as they are or in a supplement powder form) are their ability to lower blood sugar, boost the immune system, and reduce blood pressure. Now, you know what they can help, it's time for us to take a deeper dive into HOW maitake mushrooms work as well as how to include them into your daily diet in the most convenience! 

How does maitake mushroom work to lower blood sugar?

We have mentioned previously that maitake mushrooms supplement powder (and normal for) are believed to be able to help in many ways but is taken primarily for immunity purposes as well as lowering blood sugar. But how do they work to help lower blood sugar? 

Well, mushrooms (as you may know) are a form of adaptogen which refers to a group of herbs known to help the body cope with stress; maitakes are no exception. They are a good source of several vital nutrients including beta-glucan (as previously mentioned), potassium, and vitamin D. Plus many more! In addition, they are loaded with several antioxidants. Therefore their combined nutritional complex is known to be capable of improving our blood sugar levels in addition to all the health benefits we’ve listed above!

Even though you can buy maitake supplements directly online, without needing to consult your GP, we do suggest you seek medical advice before you consider taking maitake mushrooms; just to ensure they are going to be right for you and your needs. If you have spoken to your GP and they agree that you could benefit (see no harm) in taking maitake then you have a few options on how to include them into your diet…

How to include maitake mushrooms in your diet?

You can buy maitake mushrooms whole (as they are) or in a more convenient powder form that allows you to add the supplement powder into meals as well as hot or cold beverages. There are many recipes online on clever and convenient ways that individuals have combined their maitake supplement powder into their diet. For instance, you could:

• Mix a spoonful of the powder into a breakfast smoothie 
• Use a little as a seasoning for a flavour kick in meals 
• Combine some with a little honey in your morning tea or coffee
• Even mushroom stock is a popular option 

You can include maitake mushroom powder any way you like, so long as you are mindful of your serving size and not over or under-consume per serving suggestions.