Maitake and its Activity Against Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.

The body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn't keep up with old bone removal. Many people have no symptoms until they have a bone fracture. Treatment includes medications, weight-bearing exercise, and a healthy diet. This is where Maitake can play its part:

Maitake improves bone remodeling (bone resorption and formation) balance. Due to its ergosterol (a vitamin D precursor), Maitake promotes the absorption of calcium, thus helping to protect the bones and prevent osteoporosis. It boosts bone tissue production thanks to the stimulation of osteoblasts. It also increases alkaline phosphatase and supports bone mineralization. It is thus an excellent mushroom for healthy bones. Together with vitamin D3, they improve bone strength and sturdiness. Stronger bones reduce the risk of bone fractures, the most common first symptom of osteoporosis.

in-Vitro Study: The effect of Maitake total water extract on two osteoblastic cell cultures (HOS58 and SaOS-2) was investigated to determine if this edible medicinal mushroom has osteoinductive properties. The obtained results clearly indicate the activity of Grifola frondosa extract as a bone-inducing agent, concluding that Maitake mushrooms could be applied supportively in case of diseases accompanied with bone disorder, like osteoporosis, osteopenia and late complication of diabetes. (1)