Maitake
Grifola frondosa
A dense, ground-hugging mushroom, dried and milled into the blend.
Where Maitake Grows
Maitake (Grifola frondosa) grows in overlapping, fan-shaped clusters at the base of hardwoods, especially oak, where it forms a layered rosette that can reach considerable size. Native to temperate forests of Japan, China, and northeastern North America, it has long been gathered in the wild and is now widely cultivated on supplemented hardwood substrate under controlled conditions. For THREEE, we use organic Maitake, sourced for the blend, then dried and milled to a fine powder.
Layered at the root, folded into the cup.
What the research explores
Phase I/II trial of a Maitake polysaccharide extract in breast cancer patients
In 34 postmenopausal, disease-free breast cancer patients, oral Maitake polysaccharide extract taken twice daily for three weeks was associated with measurable changes in immune markers in peripheral blood, with both stimulatory and inhibitory effects observed and no dose-limiting toxicity. The dose-response was nonlinear, with intermediate doses producing the strongest effects.
Deng G, Lin H, Seidman A, et al. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 2009. PMID 19253021.
Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake and Shiitake extracts
In a controlled study in mice, oral administration of Maitake extract for 14 days was observed to increase phagocytosis, natural killer cell activity, and production of cytokines such as IL-6 and IFN-gamma compared with controls. This was an animal study, with the Maitake-Shiitake combination noted as most active.
Vetvicka V, Vetvickova J. Ann Transl Med, 2014. PMID 25332990.
Systematic review of Maitake mushroom by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration
This systematic review surveyed the available literature on Maitake and concluded that there was a lack of systematic study on its safety and effectiveness in humans, identifying cancer, diabetes, and immune support as areas for further investigation. The authors stated that future randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Ulbricht C, Weissner W, Basch E, et al. J Soc Integr Oncol, 2009. PMID 19476741.
These studies describe the mushroom in research settings, not THREEE or its outcomes. They are provided for transparency and education. They have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary.
What Maitake Brings to the Cup
Organic Maitake contributes beta-glucans and other polysaccharides characteristic of the species, the components most often studied in the research literature. In THREEE, it is one part of a fully disclosed ten-mushroom blend, milled fine and folded evenly into every serving so its contribution is consistent from cup to cup.
The THREEE truth
Organic Maitake is one of ten mushrooms in the disclosed 520mg organic mushroom blend present in every cup of THREEE.
A short history
A closer look at one landmark study.
In a phase I/II dose-escalation trial, 34 postmenopausal women who were disease-free after breast cancer treatment took an oral Maitake polysaccharide extract twice daily for three weeks across five dose levels. Researchers measured immune function in peripheral blood and reported a statistically significant association between Maitake and immunologic changes, with both stimulatory and inhibitory effects observed depending on dose. The dose-response was nonlinear, with intermediate doses producing stronger effects than higher or lower ones, and no dose-limiting toxicity was encountered. The authors concluded that such botanical agents can produce more complex immune effects than commonly assumed.
One of ten. All in one cup.
Maitake keeps its place in the blend whether or not anyone is watching. It is listed plainly on the label, measured into every cup, and waiting when you are ready for it.
Shop THREEEThese statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.