The Maitake mushroom has a long history of use in traditional Eastern medicine. Some believe it can help with weight loss by reducing the number of calories you eat daily and eliminating insulin resistance.
But does science support these claims? Research suggests the bioactive ingredients in maitake may support weight loss. This article examines this evidence profoundly and helps you conclude whether taking maitake mushrooms can help you lose weight.
Read on to learn more!
Maitake Mushroom: What Is It And What Are Its General Benefits?
What Is Maitake Mushroom?
In the scientific community, maitake is known as Grifola frondose. Moreover, the mushroom carries nicknames the "dancing mushroom" and the "Hen-of-the-wood."
The word maitake in Japanese meant dancing. According to Japanese folklore, when Japanese people found maitake in the wild, they would dance happily.
The maitake mushroom usually grows at the root of large trees such as Oak, Elm, and Maple trees. The fungus is indigenous to Japan and has been used for thousands of years. Recently, it has been popular in the United States and other parts of the world for its usefulness in various health conditions.
General Benefits Of Maitake Mushroom Extract
The bioactive compounds and phytonutrients in maitake mushrooms have been shown to offer numerous benefits. Research has shown that the Maitake mushroom contains various nutrients such as antioxidants, beta-glucans, vitamins B and C, copper, potassium, fibers, minerals, and amino acids.
The bioactive ingredients in maitake carry numerous benefits, including:
- Fighting hypertension
- Fighting diabetes
- Treating cancer
- Boosting immunity
- Improving brain health
Read More: See the best mushrooms for brain health.
In this article, however, we will focus on the following:
- Maitake's effect on weight loss
- How maitake facilitates weight loss?
- How to take maitake mushroom for weight loss
- The side effects of taking the maitake mushroom and how to avoid them when using the mushroom for weight loss
- When to avoid taking the maitake mushroom
Stay with us, and we will answer all your questions on how maitake mushrooms help people achieve a healthy weight range.
3 Benefits Of Using Maitake Mushroom For Weight Loss
During the standardization of maitake mushroom, various extracts of proteins and glycoproteins were obtained. SX-fraction was found to have a beneficial effect on weight loss and diabetes control. SX-fraction was named so because it's a glycoprotein in maitake mushrooms that has a remarkable property of improving and preventing the features of syndrome X(1).
Syndrome X is a group of conditions associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. It can cause obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus
In 2007, SX-fraction got a U.S. patent for anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects.
One study found that people with type 2 diabetes taking SX-Fraction for two months could significantly reduce their fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, insulin, and body weight(2).
Although the health benefits of maitake mushrooms are promising, there are few side effects associated with the condition, and there are conditions in which you need to be cautious before consumption of the mushroom. Therefore, you should use caution and consult your physician before taking maitake supplements, especially for therapeutic purposes.
So, let's discuss how maitake mushrooms lead to weight loss.
Read More: See how Lion's mane supports weight loss.
1. SX-Fraction Activity For The Treatment Of Syndrome X
Specific parameters of the insulin induction pathway include insulin receptor, receptor substrate 1, and protein kinase B. When these parameters are involved with Syndrome X, insulin resistance results, leading to obesity and other related disorders.
S.X. fraction in maitake mushroom regulates and reactivates this insulin induction signaling pathway, thus fighting insulin resistance and increasing glucose uptake into the cells. This suggests that consuming Maitake mushrooms can help regulate blood glucose levels in the human body.
Read More: See how Lion's mane treats diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels.
S.X. fraction is responsible for improving obesity and cholesterol levels(3). In addition, the extracts of maitake mushrooms also inhibit the conversion of cells into adipocytes.
These health-promoting properties of bioactive compounds in the cooked or supplement form of the mushroom are responsible for reducing weight and controlling obesity.
2. Raw Maitake Mushrooms And Supplements Have High Fiber Content
The maitake mushroom has got a good amount of fiber. The raw form of maitake mushroom contains 2.7 grams of fiber per 100 grams.
Read More: Learn about Maitake's nutritional values.
A good amount of fiber in a diet helps you lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Fiber provides nutrition to good gut microbes, making our gut microbiome environment healthy, which helps avoid weight gain.
In addition, fibers also make us feel less hungry and consume less food, which also helps reduce weight.
3. Low In Carbohydrate And Calories
Maitake mushrooms are low in calories and carbs. The low-carb and calories, along with the high content of fibers, make you feel fuller. You can avoid a high-calorie diet if you are not feeling hungry and thus lose weight.
If you are looking for a functional food that is not just low in calories but also helps you avoid overeating, maitake mushrooms might be a good option.
How To Consume Maitake Mushrooms?
You can buy maitake mushrooms as a whole and cook them in various forms like fries, soups, salads, or smoothies. However, you must use healthy cooking oil to lose weight. Eating a boiled maitake mushroom is the best way to lose weight.
You can find the extracts as supplements, but they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So, it would help if you found a good brand to buy the maitake supplements.
The Maitake supplements and extracts are available as pills, capsules, and powders. Whichever form you choose, you need to take 100 percent pure extracts without any fillers.
Moreover, you should not take supplements that do not disclose the information of ingredients. The supplement dose depends on your weight, age, and overall health condition.
It would be best to be careful about any unusual symptoms or discomfort. If you develop any symptoms, you should stop taking them and see your healthcare provider.
What Are The Side Effects Of Maitake Mushroom Consumption?
Maitake mushroom is generally well tolerated and has minimum risks, but there are some side effects you might experience while consuming it or its extracts. You might need to consult your doctor if these side effects become troublesome.
Some side effects of maitake mushrooms are:
- Stomach upset
- Allergic reactions: rashes, itching, hives, stomach cramps, difficulty in breathing, facial swelling
- Lowering blood sugar
- Lowering blood pressure
Read More: Do cordyceps mushrooms have any dangers?
When Should You Avoid Maitake Mushrooms?
It is better to consult your doctor if you are incorporating maitake mushrooms in your diet in large amounts or if you are taking supplements.
Below, we have mentioned a few conditions that present a risk of side effects when consuming Maitake mushrooms. If you have any of the conditions discussed below, consult your doctor before taking any amount of maitake mushroom:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You have a history of low blood sugar
- You are taking blood sugar-lowering medicines
- You have an account of low blood pressure
- You are taking blood pressure-lowering medicine.
Read More: See how Lion's mane fights high blood pressure.
- You have any autoimmune disease
- You have a bleeding disorder
- You have surgery coming up in the next 2 weeks
- It has been less than 2 weeks after your surgery
Key Takeaways
The maitake mushroom supports weight loss and prevents weight gain. The fungus produces its weight loss effects by acting on signaling pathways and reducing high-calorie diet intake while maintaining the body's nutritional requirement. You can include the mushroom in your regular diet or take it as a supplement.
However, it would be best to talk to your healthcare provider before taking supplements for weight loss. Also, you need to speak to your doctor if you develop any side effects while taking maitake mushrooms for weight loss.
Have you tried Maitake mushrooms for weight loss? We would love to hear about your experience with the mushroom. Let us know in the comments section.
References
- Mushrooms for Health and Longivity, (1) https://books.google.mk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Ww_rBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT6&dq=Combination+for+Improved+Weight+Control+with+Medicinal+Mushrooms+and+Other+Compounds+++Ken+Babal
- A possible hypoglycaemic effect of maitake mushroom on Type 2 diabetic patients, (2)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1464-5491.2001.00532-5.x
- SX-fraction: Promise for novel treatment of type 2 diabetes, (3)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7754165/
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