Maitake Mushroom
January 6, 2000
Strong Apoptosis-Inducing Activity Found in Grifron Maitake D-fraction®
A research group of the Dept. of Urology, at the New York Medical College presented the results of their "apoptosis" study using a Maitake mushroom extract, "Grifron Pro D-fraction® (GD)", on human prostatic cancer cells (PC-3) at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) Conference held on December 11-13, 1999 in Las Vegas.
The study demonstrated a significant cytotoxic effect via oxidative membrance damage on prostatic cancer when treated with GD, resulting in apoptotic cell death. This cytotoxic activity was even more potentiated when combined with Vitamin C. Moreover, some strong synergistic effect was seen between GD and a chemotherapeutic agent such as carmustine (BCNU) which is used in the treatment of brain tumors. The research group had also tested several other natural extracts (other mushroom extracts and seaweed extracts that were already known to have some apoptosis-inducing activity) and has confirmed that the Maitake GD is much more potent than any other sample extracts they investigated. This result will be also presented at the World Congress on the Aging Male that will be held next month in Geneva, Switzerland.
The phenomenon of "Apoptosis", a form of programmed cell death (or, the cancer cells actually committing suicide), has suddenly and dramatically been thrust into scientific consciousness gaining keen attention from the frontline of cancer research. Dr. Barbara Osboarne, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts, found an erratic history of this "apoptosis" awareness, characterized by very little early study activity followed by booming interest. She searched databases for apoptosis references and found only 300 total papers by 1991 soaring to over 3,000 papers by early 1995.
Michael Shirota, President and CEO of Maitake Products, Inc., who has supported this study, states that this result is very exciting since Maitake D-fraction® is now proven not only as an immune-booster but also an apoptosis-inducer. According to Shirota, his company has received a large amount of feedback from health professionals and cancer patients, reporting that Maitake D-fraction® works very well, sometimes very drastic, against some prostate cancers and brain tumors. Shirota now believes that the result of this study could be the evidence to support the above positive testimonials.
Grifron Pro D-fraction® has been under the FDA approved clinical study (IND #54,589) on advanced cancer patients with prostates and breast cancer.
For more information, please contact Donna Noonan of Maitake Products, Inc. (201)229-0101
The Mushroom World's Gift for Today
by Mark Kaylor
Mushrooms have been working their herbal magic for us for thousands of years. Traditional healers in China, Japan and other parts of Asia have highly prized and recognized the healing potential of a number of mushrooms; often considering them to be foods of longevity and immortality. Reishi mushroom for instance, was called ling zhi by the Chinese, which means “spirit plant.” It became known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” and for a while was reserved for the exclusive use of the Imperial family.
Today we know that Reishi is an effective immuno-stimulant that has demonstrated an anti-tumor action. It has been shown to protect the liver, act as a tonic for the central nervous system and heart, lower cholesterol, and inhibit allergic response (histamine release). Shiitake mushroom is probably better known in this country for its culinary delights, but in Japan, specific extracts called lentinan and LEM are prescriptive anti cancer drugs. Like Reishi and other mushrooms, it has shown anti-tumor and immune energizing activity, along with an anti-viral action.
Another great tasting, gourmet mushroom from Japan is called Maitake, which means “dancing mushroom.” This relatively new kid on the block may not have thousands of medical folklore experience behind it, but does have a growing body of modern science and research supporting its effectiveness in stimulating the immune system. On top of this research there are well over 2;000 practitioners throughout the U.S. who are now using a specific active constituent from the Maitake named D-fraction.
What makes Maitake D-fraction so important, and how does it compare to other mushrooms? Studies done by Dr. Nanba, a foremost authority on medicinal mushrooms, have demonstrated its greater effectiveness compared to other mushrooms when taken orally, a very key point considering that oral use is the most commonly available form. D-fraction was shown to be over twice as effective in inhibiting tumors than Lentinan or LEM.
It has been studied and proven effective in stimulating the body's own defenses. Research has demonstrated that it stimulates a variety of different immune cells including macrophages, NK-cells, Th, Tc and Tdh.
Not only does it stimulate the production of these immune cells, but it increases their efficiency and effectiveness by increasing interleukin-1, interleukin-2 and lymphokines. These are chemicals that your body normally produces to stimulate the body's responses and help target foreign substances. D-fraction has been confirmed to have a multi-faceted benefit for cancer and tumors: (1) it protects healthy cells from becoming cancerous; (2) it helps prevent the spread of cancer (metastasis); (3) it slows or stops the growth of tumors; and (4) it works in conjunction with chemotherapies by lessening their negative side effects. One study reported 90% lessening of side effects from chemo including hair loss, pain and nausea.
Admittedly, it's nice to have herb with such strong science and documentation behind it. It's even nicer when you find that in practice the herb works as well or better. Recently a young woman came to see me, having just been diagnosed with a tumor between her lung and heart. We immediately started using therapeutic dosing of Maitake D-fraction (0.5 to 1 mg of pure D-fraction per kilo of body weight). A little over three weeks later I received a joyous call from her husband stating that upon return visit to their doctor to check for possible changes in the tumor, tests showed the growth to have disappeared.
Another case study involved an egg-sized brain tumor that did not respond to conventional treatments. After 6 months of high dosing of D-fraction the growth had completely disappeared. These are but two of a rapidly growing number of individuals who have seen significant results with the oral use of Maitake D-fraction.
LINKS
Alt Health
Nutrimart
SHOP AROUND FOR BEST PRICE