MAITAKE MAGIC

by Harry G. Preuss

In some parts of the world, the healing powers of mushrooms have been known for more than 5,000 years. The western world has taken somewhat longer to discover their benefits. Now, however, they are being taken very seriously, so much so in fact, that the government has sanctioned preliminary studies with Maitake D-fraction, the supplement containing Maitake mushrooms. This book details those studies along with other information about this valuable natural supplement, including its uses in cancer treatment and diabetes. Charts and graphs throughout clearly document the study results.

100 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Cameron · Rating 1 out of 5]

IT WAS GOOD

[P.J. Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book claims that maitake mushrooms can heal all sorts of diseases by boosting the immune system. But how do they do that? On page 35 it says, "Just how mushrooms help stimulate the immune system is a matter of controversy." One theory says that the beta-glutens in them dock on macrophages, thus activating them. Another theory says that they confer their own immune properties. But no one knows for sure how they work, or if they work at all. In the absence of a plausible explanation, this book becomes mostly testimonial.

I wonder if there is something very toxic in these mushrooms that provokes an immune response against them. That possibility cannot be ruled out. If you ingest poison, you will get an immune response. This book says repeatedly that maitake mushrooms are non-toxic; it also says that they are cytotoxic to cancer cells. If these mushrooms are toxic to our own mutated cells, are they toxic to us? I don't know. I suppose selective toxicity is possible, but I would need an explanation. Of course, one could argue that all medicines are toxic. Mushroom extracts are made by boiling mushrooms. How much bio-active healing power can survive being boiled? Boiled substances are more likely to be inert than bio-active in a healing way.

I read this book with an open mind, but am not convinced that these mushrooms don't do more harm than good. Testimonials and anecdotes prove nothing. The research of the authors was funded by a company that sells mushroom extracts. Was that a conflict of interest? You decide.