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Derived from the cap and stem of the mushroom. The active constituent is thought to be a beta-glucan polysaccharide. The whole mushroom is used primarily as a dietary element, but extracts and supplements are sold as immune stimulants for patients with HIV or cancer. While no adverse effects have been reported, some studies reveal a hypoglycemic effect following administration of maitake extract (9) (12). Maitake was shown to enhance bone marrow colony formation, reduce doxorubicin toxicity in vitro (11), and to inhibit tumor metastasis

The effects of whole mushrooms during inflammation.\nYu S, Weaver V, Martin K, Cantorna MT.\nBMC Immunol. 2009 Feb 20;10:12.\nPMID: 19232107 \ndoi:10.1186/1471-2172-10-12\n

Mushrooms could give the immune system a hand in attacking foreign invaders, if the effects in mice translate to humans.\n\nWhat's more, the common white button mushroom had stronger immune-boosting effects than more exotic -- and more expensive -- fungi such as oyster and shiitake mushrooms, Dr. Keith Martin of Arizona State University in Mesa and his colleagues found