AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compounds) has endless uses and research continues to explore the benefits of this compound derived from the mycelium of the medicinal mushroom SHITAKE. There are groundbreaking studies on AHCC and how it alleviates symptoms in patients with diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver damage, infections, diabetes, and inflammation. AHCC is not just a cure. As a SUPERFOOD, it supports the body at a fundamental level – the body’s immunity.
It is a mushroom-based nutraceutical with properties that are distinctly different from other mushroom-based foods available on the market. AHCCs are sweet-tasting monosaccharides produced from the mycelia (mycelium – the hair-like root structure) of the medicinal shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) growing in rice bran extract. Rice bran itself is known for its antiviral and immunostimulant effects. The quality control of the AHCC complex is on par with that of pharmaceuticals. A unique method is used in the production of the AHCC extract, allowing to obtain, in addition to β-glucans, a partially acetylated α-1,4 glucan. Why is α-glucan so rare? It is a substance with a relatively low molecular weight, which makes it easily absorbed, unlike the easily obtainable β-glucan with a much higher molecular weight found in most mushroom extracts on our market.
Contains small amounts of various vitamins and minerals, with polysaccharides accounting for 44 percent!
100 grams of AHCC contains:
It is used in more than 700 clinics and hospitals in Japan, mainly as an adjuvant to enhance the effect of cancer treatment. Doctors do not hesitate to use AHCC in this medical context, as it is researched just like other traditional prescription drugs. The quality control of AHCC is so stringent that it should be classified as a licensed drug. However, the manufacturer is concerned that this classification would limit its availability to many people in Japan. AHCC is one of the natural substances that has universal applicability. It is also regularly sought after by healthy people who take it not only for the treatment of various chronic diseases of civilization, but also for prevention and longevity.
In fact, AHCC is considered to be a SUPERFOOD. Although it is found in capsules, it is completely safe for anyone to take, including children, debilitated seniors, and patients undergoing surgery, as well as in veterinary practice for animals. The shiitake mushroom is a medicinal mushroom. Preserving this mushroom to maintain health and longevity is part of Japanese traditional healing. More than three decades have passed since the development of AHCC and its appearance on the market. It supports the body at a fundamental level – the body’s immune system, which is a good indicator of the health of the whole body. Its activity encircles all other systems of the body and intimately affects every organ and every body system. AHCC has an extremely high immunostimulatory effect: it increases the number of cells by up to 200 percent, activates immune cells involved in “surveillance” – NK cells and macrophages, increases the production of cytokines: TNF-α, gamma-interferon, IL-2 and IL-12, suppresses immunosuppressive cytokines TGF-β, increases Th1/Th2 balance (cellular versus humoral activity).
AHCC was originally developed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Dr. Fred Pescatore of the Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine in New York City reported that AHCC may protect against stress causing high blood pressure and against heart damage. Patients taking AHCC regularly often saw normalization and stabilization of their blood pressure.
AHCC has been successfully used in the treatment of cancer (liver, breast, uterus, prostate, gastrointestinal tract, multiple myeloma) as an adjuvant to support the effect of chemotherapy drugs, and as a preventive agent, protecting against the side effects of cytostatics (protecting the body from the decline of blood formation, preventing hair loss, reducing the side effects of anticancer drugs, restoring appetite, and preventing loss of appetite). Furthermore, it has been applied in the treatment of HIV, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic infections, diabetes (reduces blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin), glaucoma. AHCC reduces inflammation and high CRP levels. These properties are used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Several studies have revealed that AHCC increases the production of nitric oxide (an essential chemical messenger produced by our body in the lining cells of blood vessels – dilates blood vessels, protecting the smooth muscle of blood vessels from harmful constriction). Allows elasticity for blood to circulate at lower pressures. Regulates platelet function and protects against blood clots. Nitric oxide further reduces the formation of arterial thrombi. Through its antioxidant activity, nitric oxide also reduces cholesterol levels. Thus, this is a different mechanism by which AHCC may protect the body against cardiovascular disease.
People with life-threatening illnesses, chronic infections, chronic or degenerative diseases (cancer, hepatitis, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases), people with chronic pain, during flu season, exposed to a risky lifestyle, infected with candida, staphylococcus, parasitic infections, herpes, or other viral infections).
AHCC is a pure natural food product. It is safe even at high dosages. No side effects or drug interactions have been reported throughout the history of AHCC use. On the contrary, AHCC has been helpful in providing relief from unpleasant side effects of medications.
The above dosage is recommended by the AHCC Research Association based on the experience of prescribing physicians:
In all cases, it is recommended that the total daily amount of AHCC be divided and taken three times a day after meals. In the case of children, the dosage is reduced to half the amount due to their lower weight.
Note: people who have prescribed medications should inform their doctor about taking AHCC in case of possible synergistic effects.
Only one single company produces AHCC, therefore there is no variation in qualityin the final product . There is a large amount of clinical research on AHCC and data on its efficacy that can be vouched for through research.
Author of the expert article: Prof. Katarina Horakova, DrSC.,
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