While extracts from fungi might sound dangerous, AHCC supplements have become increasingly popular and well-studied. Derived from shiitake mushrooms, this nutritional supplement’s claim to fame is its anti-cancer and immune-boosting effects.
Manufactured in Japan, this extract has been shown to regulate the immune system by increasing natural killer and T cells. These cells play important roles in fighting infection and ridding the body of cancerous growths.
So, maybe you’re curious: Should you try AHCC? In this article, we outline everything you need to know before you make that next purchase. Let’s dive in.
Benefits of AHCC
Before exploring the researched benefits, it’s worth noting that no supplement should be used to treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always follow the advice and recommendations given to you by your doctor; they know you and your health situation the best.
AHCC is an over-the-counter supplement in the United States, meaning you don’t need a prescription to buy it. So, what are its supposed benefits? Here are the top four.
Anti-Cancer
The biggest news to hit the headlines regarding AHCC is its potential place in cancer treatments. One study indicates that AHCC could prolong the lives of individuals with an advanced cancer diagnosis.
Other research further demonstrated AHCC’s potential to help remedy the undesirable side effects that occur with chemotherapy, such as vomiting and nausea. Additionally, a smaller study consisting of 29 individuals showed that when AHCC was taken for two years, there was a lower risk of cancer recurrence.
Yet, again, AHCC should not be used in place of other cancer treatments. However, it may be worth a discussion with your doctor regarding its place in your current treatment regime.
Boosts Immunity
Each year, many of us experience the throes of cold and flu season. Thus, many of us load up on vitamin C and other supplements to help support immunity and ward off illness. But AHCC is showing some promise in this area, too.
While more research is needed, smaller studies consisting of 34 participants have suggested that AHCC may help compensate for seasonal changes that contribute to winter illness. Researchers demonstrated how these individuals had better immune function than the control group who took a placebo.
On top of this, some preclinical trials also show great promise. Animal and test tube studies have shown that it could be invaluable for combating symptoms of West Nile virus and the flu. But, yet again, more research would help solidify these reports.
Improves Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Markers
AHCC might also have a place in helping alleviate the symptoms and markers of alcohol-related liver disease. This type of condition arises due to excessive alcohol consumption and consists of several stages, rarely causing issues until the more advanced stages.
Yet, studies show that AHCC may improve liver enzyme levels and lower inflammation associated with this disease. While this research is fairly new, more would help determine whether this supplement should be recommended to those diagnosed with liver disease.
May Suppress HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection. Often, it causes no symptoms, but it can cause warts, and high-risk types of HPV are associated with cervical cancer.
AHCC is emerging as a potential treatment for HPV suppression. Studies on AHCC have shown that when taken daily, it has a success rate of 60% within six months at suppressing the virus in testing. However, use caution with this approach. With scarce research, it’s always a good idea to follow your doctor’s orders.
Dosage: How Much Should You Take?
If your healthcare provider is on board with you trying AHCC, it’s advised to follow the directions on the product’s label. Most products recommend between one and three grams daily, but dosage recommendations may vary depending on your use or needs.
For example, recommendations made in clinic trials include:
● One gram daily for immune function
● One to three grams daily for increased liver enzymes
● Three grams daily for liver cancer support and HPV
● Six grams daily for pancreatic cancer
Keep in mind that the above is merely a guideline based on scientific research. Discuss what’s best for you and your situation with your healthcare provider.
Is It Safe to Take AHCC?
AHCC is generally considered safe. However, if you’re allergic to mushrooms, it should be avoided. If you experience an allergic reaction, such as itching, hives, or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention.
AHCC Side Effects
Some side effects reported from taking AHCC include:
● Fatigue
● Nausea
● Heartburn
● Bloating
Side effects may vary depending on the individual. Most won’t experience any side effects.
Additionally, AHCC is not recommended for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on certain medications. This supplement may react with Femara (letrozole) or other cancer drugs. This is why discussions with your doctor are important to have before starting a new supplement regime. It’s further not recommended for children since there have been no scientific studies on this part of the population.
Lastly, supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that labels can be deceiving. As such, it’s important to choose a supplement based on thorough research and third-party testing.
An AHCC Supplement, or AHCC®, may help enhance your immunity and overall health when used as recommended and in conjunction with a balanced diet and active lifestyle.
Although further research is required to determine the precise health advantages of AHCC®, a supplement like AHCC® from HPD Rx might be worthwhile to include in your daily regimen.
History of AHCC
Amino Up Co., Ltd. in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan, is the only company that manufactures AHCC® and has it licensed as a trademark. AHCC® is the brand name for an alpha-glucan-rich dietary supplement derived from the mycelia of the basidiomycete mushroom shiitake (Lentinula edodes).
This ingredient is being viewed as a possible anti-cancer agent. Research is ongoing and there have been some impressive studies published on the results of using AHCC® to address cancer and HPV. In Japan and throughout Asia, AHCC® is a widely used complementary therapy. It is starting to become popular in the West because of the positive health effects it is having on peoples’ lives.
What Should You Know Before Purchasing an AHCC Supplement?
Advantages
To create an ingestible supplement, basidiomycetes, a form of fungi, are used to extract the all-natural compound known as AHCC®. The shiitake mushroom is among the most well-liked kind of spores that AHCC® uses.
Several preclinical studies on the possible advantages of AHCC® have been conducted. There is some indication that the substance may help cure or perhaps prevent some types of cancer, albeit these investigations are still in their early stages.
It can also enhance the activity of T-cells, which are present in the body biologically and are used to fight tumor progression, cancer, infections, and other diseases, particularly in animals.
The immune system may be strengthened, and normal bodily processes may be modulated simultaneously by AHCC®. Additionally, the botanical supplement may help the liver function, minimizing the chances of diabetes and protecting against toxic substances.
Plus, it might eliminate some current infections, like HPV-related ones. More scientific proof is required to back up the validity of these advantages for humans, particularly when taken as supplements.
Side Effects
Consuming AHCC® supplements may have some adverse effects, like using almost all other supplements. The dose, regularity, and pre-existing medical issues all impact the adverse reactions and their type and intensity.
Fatigue, cramps in the foot, itching, and diarrhea are typical side effects. Additionally, some people mentioned a rise in body temperature, which in some situations could be harmful.
Also, AHCC® supplements may interfere with prescription drugs, including those that affect the liver and impair immune response activity. The two may interact if you’re taking drugs that cause the reverse effect to AHCC®, which typically speeds up the immune system and liver function.
Most people who take AHCC® don’t notice any significant adverse effects. Consult a general doctor to see what they advise if you’re unsure of how your body will respond to the medication.
Types
Several AHCC® supplements are available, including tablets, liquid solutions, and soft gels. One of these supplements should normally be consumed on an empty stomach so your body can digest it more effectively.
Some producers recommend taking it with food or drink instead. Before taking any new supplement or vitamin, check the label for directions for optimum results.
What You Should Seek in a Top-Notch AHCC Supplement
Dosage
Like prescription drugs, supplements often identify their dosage in grams or milligrams. Unfortunately, the FDA does not offer a suggested minimum or maximum dose for AHCC® supplements.
The daily recommended dose of AHCC® for an adult person is between three and six grams or around 3,000 and 6,000 mg.
Based on the prescription, it is appropriate for most individuals to consume three or more capsules daily, as most AHCC® capsules contain a dose between 500 and 1,000 mg.
Life Span
When kept in a cold, dry environment, most supplements last for around two years after their initial production date. The shelf life of a liquid supplement will likely be much shorter. Most liquids have a maximum shelf life of a few months before compromising their effectiveness or needing replenishment. Before taking any vitamin, pill, or drug, check the expiry date.
Count
The term “count” describes how many capsules or soft gels are contained in a container. There will typically be fewer pills in the container if a single tablet contains a larger dosage. The majority of AHCC® supplements have a count of 60 to 120.
How Much You Should Expect to Spend on an AHCC Supplement
The dose per tablet and the number of tablets in a jar determine how much these supplements cost. Normally, a one-month supply costs between $50 and $300. It might not be authentic AHCC® if it is priced less than that.
FAQs about AHCC Supplement
Where did the AHCC pills come from initially?
The mycelia of some fungi, like shiitake mushrooms, are where AHCC® is derived from. The dietary supplement was first created in Japan and is now popular in China and Japan.
What more steps can I take to strengthen my immune system?
To strengthen your immune system and aid in the battle against infection, in addition to AHCC®, you might also take additional vitamins, including vitamins C and E. Citrus fruits and strawberries are typical sources of vitamin C, whereas nuts and seeds are rich sources of vitamin E. As an alternative, you might take vitamins or a regular multivitamin to support the health of your immune system.
What AHCC supplement should I buy?
The Best AHCC Supplements:
Price: $58.99
What You Need to Know:
This supplement was created with high-quality components that support liver and immunological function while battling cancer and infections.
What you’ll Love:
Taken on an empty stomach, the bottle contains 90 soft vegetable capsules. Each dosage of 3 capsules gluten-free capsule contains 1100 milligrams of AHCC® and Shiitake mushroom extract.
Things to Consider:
You should keep in mind that actual physicians formulated this. Many customers report that this is the ideal formula to keep their immune system strong and their HPV under control.
Places to Buy:
Purchase options include Amazon and the company’s own website HPD Rx.
Premium Kinoko AHCC Supplement
Price: $74.96
What You Need to Know:
This high-potency supplement is an excellent option for individuals who want to strengthen their immune systems and fight off infections.
What you’ll Love:
This product complies with FDA-mandated Current Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines and comes in 60 vegan, gluten-free tablets. Each capsule contains 1,000 milligrams, and two capsules constitute one serving.
What to Consider:
The risk of adverse effects could be increased if you take too many pills at once because they have a greater dosage.
The place to Buy:
Amazon or the company’s website
Price: $300
What You Need to Know:
This bottle contains 160 capsules and provides innate immune support to last a lot longer.
What You Will Love:
Each pill contains 310 mg of AHCC and is intended to be consumed on an empty stomach. It is completely natural and designed for optimal efficacy with a special ratio of several fungi.
What to Consider:
Consuming too much could result in a migraine.
Places to Buy:
Purchase options include Amazon and the company’s own website.
References:
1. Shin, M. S., Park, H. J., Maeda, T., Nishioka, H., Fujii, H., & Kang, I. (2019). The Effects of AHCC®, a Standardized Extract of Cultured Lentinura edodes Mycelia, on Natural Killer and T Cells in Health and Disease: Reviews on Human and Animal Studies. Journal of immunology research, 2019, 3758576. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3758576
2. Cowawintaweewat, S., Manoromana, S., Sriplung, H., Khuhaprema, T., Tongtawe, P., Tapchaisri, P., & Chaicumpa, W. (2006). Prognostic improvement of patients with advanced liver cancer after active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) treatment. Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology, 24(1), 33–45.
3. Suknikhom, W., Lertkhachonsuk, R., & Manchana, T. (2017). The Effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) on Levels of CD4+ and CD8+ in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer or Peritoneal Cancer Receiving Platinum Based Chemotherapy. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 18(3), 633–638. https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.3.633
4. Kamiyama, T., Orimo, T., Wakayama, K., Kakisaka, T., Shimada, S., Nagatsu, A., Asahi, Y., Aiyama, T., Kamachi, H., & Taketomi, A. (2022). Preventing Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Hepatectomy With Active Hexose-correlated Compound Derived From Lentinula edodes Mycelia. Integrative cancer therapies, 21, 15347354211073066. https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354211073066
5. Takanari J, Hirayama Y, Homma K, Miura T, Nishioka H, Maeda T. Effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound on the Seasonal Variations of Immune Competence in Healthy Subjects. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2015;20(1):28-34. doi:10.1177/2156587214555573
6. Wang, S., Welte, T., Fang, H., Chang, G. J., Born, W. K., O’Brien, R. L., Sun, B., Fujii, H., Kosuna, K., & Wang, T. (2009). Oral administration of active hexose correlated compound enhances host resistance to West Nile encephalitis in mice. The Journal of nutrition, 139(3), 598–602. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.108.100297
7. Roman, B. E., Beli, E., Duriancik, D. M., & Gardner, E. M. (2013). Short-term supplementation with active hexose correlated compound improves the antibody response to influenza B vaccine. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.), 33(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2012.11.001
8. Kim, H., Kim, J. H., & Im, J. A. (2014). Effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) in alcohol-induced liver enzyme elevation. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology, 60(5), 348–356. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.60.348
9. Smith, J. A., Gaikwad, A. A., Mathew, L., Rech, B., Faro, J. P., Lucci, J. A., 3rd, Bai, Y., Olsen, R. J., & Byrd, T. T. (2022). AHCC® Supplementation to Support Immune Function to Clear Persistent Human Papillomavirus Infections. Frontiers in oncology, 12, 881902. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.881902
