The adaptogen known as Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is made from mushroom extracts. Active Hexose Correlated Compound was first developed in Japan in 1988 and most research studies on AHCC have been conducted in Japan. Researchers at Yale University have also conducted a number of studies in conjunction with Japanese researchers.
Several AHCC supplements are available as proprietary compounds produced by cultivation and enzymatic modification of several species of mushrooms, including shiitake. These mushroom cultures are propogated and grown in a rice bran extract.
Biochemically, AHCC is a mixture of polysaccharides, amino acids, lipids and minerals derived from the mycelial cultures of several species of Basidiomycete mushrooms. AHCC is used in more than 700 medical institutions and it has been studied in more than 80 clinical trials.
Benefits
AHCC is widely used in Japan, Europe, and the United States for the treatment of many different cancers, including thyroid and liver cancer, and autoimmune diseases, including diabetes and autoimmune hepatitis, and for the prevention and treatment of viral illnesses, including influenza and pneumonia. In patients receiving chemotherapy, AHCC is known to reduce side effects including nausea, hair loss, bone marrow suppression and liver toxicity. In addition, AHCC improves ventricular arrhythmias and offers benefits in cardiovascular disease.
Immune System Effects
Specific effects of AHCC on the immune system, which have been demonstrated in vivo and in human clinical trials, show that AHCC modifies both the innate and adaptive immune system responses by:
- Increasing cytokine (interferon and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) production
- Increasing the activity of NK cells by as much as 300-800%
- Increasing to two-fold the number of macrophage white blood cells
- Increasing the number of dendritic white blood cells
- Increasing the number of T cells by as much as 200%
- Reducing inflammation
- Antioxidant properties—Reduces oxidative stress
Dosage
For specific conditions, such as diabetes, the usual therapeutic dose is 500 mg taken twice daily; for general prevention and immune modulation the recommended dose is 500 mg taken two to three times weekly.
Available Products
AHCC is a proprietary formula found in a number of commercial products including:
- Kinoko by Quality of Life
- AHCC by Source Naturals
- AHCC by Now Foods
- ImmPower AHCC by American Biosciences
- AHCC by Olympian Labs
Precautions
There have been no adverse effects associated with recommended doses of AHCC; however, individuals with allergies to mushrooms or yeast should use this product cautiously; it’s important to check with one’s doctor before adding new herbal medicines and to check with one’s pharmacist to see if there are any drug interactions.
Resources:
AHCC Research, accessed October 10, 2009
AHCC Published Research, accessed October 10, 2009
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