
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting over 80% of women at some point in their lives. HPV is responsible for more than 99.7% of cervical cancer cases and may also cause vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, rectal, and oropharyngeal cancers. While most people clear HPV infections naturally within two years, not everyone has a strong immune system. Fortunately, a supplement called AHCC, derived from the cell wall of the roots of Lentitula edodes mushrooms, has been shown to help clear HPV infections. In a study of 34 women with a history of persistent high-risk HPV, 63.6% of those who received AHCC supplementation for six months cleared the infection with no adverse side effects.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Mushroom Type | Coriolus versicolor, Shiitake |
Mushroom Extract | AHCC |
Effectiveness | 58% effective at clearing HPV infections |
Benefits | Enhanced antioxidant effects, anticancer activity, modulation of the immune system |
HPV Clearance | Improved HPV clearance in HPV cervical or oral-positive patients |
HPV Risk | High-risk HPV is the leading cause of six different types of cancer |
HPV Infections | HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and affects more than 80% of women at least once during their lifetime |
What You'll Learn
- AHCC mushroom extract is 58% effective at clearing HPV infections
- AHCC is a unique natural extract derived from the shiitake mushroom
- Medicinal mushrooms can be used as an adjunct to cancer treatment
- HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting 80% of women
- HPV infections usually clear within two years with a strong immune system
AHCC mushroom extract is 58% effective at clearing HPV infections
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to prevent and treat various diseases. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to several types of cancer. While most people clear HPV infections naturally within two years, not everyone has a strong immune system to do so.
AHCC (a registered trademark of the Amino Up Company) is a mushroom extract derived from the cell wall of the roots of lentinula edodes (or shiitake) mushrooms. It is available as a nutritional supplement and has been clinically demonstrated to help clear HPV infections. In a recent phase II trial, AHCC was found to be 58% effective at clearing persistent HPV infections. The study involved 50 women over 30 years of age with confirmed persistent high-risk HPV infections for more than two years. Half of the participants took a daily placebo for 12 months, while the other half took 3g of AHCC supplementation by mouth once daily on an empty stomach for 6 months, followed by 6 months of a placebo.
The results showed that 63.6% (14 out of 22) of those who received AHCC treatment cleared the infection with no adverse side effects, compared to only 2 out of 19 in the placebo group. This demonstrates a significant association of AHCC with HPV clearance. Furthermore, AHCC has been shown to have unique immune-modulatory benefits, enhancing antioxidant effects, anticancer activity, and modulation of the immune system to prevent infectious processes.
While this research provides hope for those with high-risk HPV, it is important to note that AHCC supplementation may need to be continued beyond the first negative HPV result to optimize success for durable outcomes. Additionally, AHCC should not be considered a substitute for conventional medical treatments, and patients should consult their doctors before taking any supplements.
Lead in Merry Mushroom Toys: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
AHCC is a unique natural extract derived from the shiitake mushroom
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to prevent and treat various diseases, including cancer. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a well-known infectious agent that leads to cancer. While most people clear HPV infections naturally in 2 years, not everyone has a strong immune system. This is where AHCC supplementation can help.
AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) is a unique natural extract derived from the shiitake mushroom. It is a cultured extract of hybridized medicinal mushroom mycelia (roots) and includes the fruiting body extract. The shiitake mushroom is well known for its immune-modulating activity. AHCC is rich in alpha glucans and other immune-modulating polysaccharides. It has been the subject of more than 20 human clinical studies and over 50 papers published in Medline-indexed journals.
AHCC is the only medicinal mushroom that has been clinically demonstrated to help eradicate HPV. It is made by cell culturing a specific subspecies of mushroom identified by Japanese scientists to have the greatest ability to increase natural killer cell activity. AHCC works by enhancing cytokine production, maintaining T-cell and natural killer cell activity and longevity, increasing the number of dendritic cells, and promoting optimal T cells and macrophage activity.
AHCC supplementation has been shown to help the immune system clear persistent HPV infections. In one study, 63.6% of patients who received six months of daily AHCC treatment cleared the infection with no adverse side effects. The researchers concluded that AHCC supplementation helped most patients in the trial become HPV-negative, thereby decreasing the long-term risk of HPV-related cancers.
Mushrooms: Friend or Foe?
You may want to see also
Medicinal mushrooms can be used as an adjunct to cancer treatment
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to prevent and treat various diseases, and they are now also being used as an adjunct to cancer treatment. Certain mushrooms have been shown to stimulate compounds that suppress tumours and decrease inflammatory compounds, which is helpful for cancer patients.
Mushrooms contain biologically active polysaccharides in their fruit bodies or mycelia. The -glucans of mushrooms resemble bacterial cell walls and complex with complement on macrophages to activate an immune response, triggering the release of various cytokines that are active in tumour inhibition. Mushroom polysaccharides stimulate natural killer cells, T cells, B cells, and macrophages, leading to an increased immune response.
Medicinal mushrooms have been found to modify tumour response and improve immune function, primarily in patients with solid tumours. They can also help overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) and target signalling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, Wnt-CTNNB1, and MAPK during cancer treatment. In addition, medicinal mushrooms can reduce undesirable side effects such as nausea, bone marrow suppression, anaemia, and insomnia, and lower drug resistance after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Mushrooms may also extend survival after a cancer diagnosis. Some studies have shown that cancer patients who take mushrooms may live longer, possibly due to a positive immune response or other factors. Mushrooms have been linked to improvements in several common quality of life indicators for cancer patients, including improved appetite, improved physical and mental competency, and reduced fatigue.
Hair Testing for Mushrooms: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting 80% of women
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be treated. It is the most common STI, affecting roughly 14 million people each year in the United States alone. HPV is so common that most sexually active people who aren't vaccinated will become infected at some point in their lives. The virus is spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can even be transmitted when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. It is also spread through close skin-to-skin contact during sex.
HPV usually affects the genitals, including the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, and scrotum, as well as the rectum and anus. Certain strains of HPV cause warts on the hands, feet, and face, as well as genital warts. While most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems, some types can cause genital warts and cancers. High-risk HPV strains can lead to precancerous cell changes, which, if left untreated, may eventually develop into cancer. Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer associated with HPV, but other less common cancers include anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers.
The good news is that vaccines can prevent these health problems from occurring. Routine cervical cancer screening for women aged 21 to 65 can also help detect abnormal cell changes before they turn into cancer. Additionally, using condoms during sex and voluntary male circumcision can reduce the risk of HPV infection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating well, sleeping well, and reducing stress can also support the immune system in fighting HPV infections.
While there is currently no cure for HPV, certain treatments can help manage the health problems it causes. Genital warts, for example, can be treated by a healthcare provider or with prescription medication. Furthermore, research has shown that a specific mushroom extract called AHCC, derived from the shiitake mushroom, can effectively clear HPV infections. AHCC has been clinically proven to enhance the immune system's ability to clear persistent HPV infections, providing hope for those at high risk of developing HPV-related cancers.
Mellow Mushroom Gatlinburg: Do They Deliver?
You may want to see also
HPV infections usually clear within two years with a strong immune system
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. It is a group of over 100 related viruses, and certain strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer. The virus is responsible for more than 99.7% of cervical cancer cases and may also play a role in vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, rectal, and oropharyngeal cancers.
While there is currently no cure for an existing HPV infection, the body's immune system typically clears the virus naturally within two years. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, for 90% of women with HPV, the condition will clear up on its own within this timeframe, and most infections will clear up within the first six months. However, it's important to note that the stronger the immune system, the quicker it may clear HPV.
To boost the immune system, lifestyle changes such as dietary improvements, exercise, and quitting smoking can be beneficial. Additionally, vaccines can help protect against HPV strains that cause genital warts and cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is recommended for children aged 11 and 12, with two doses given at least five months apart. For teens and young adults aged 15 to 26, three doses of the vaccine are advised.
While there is no cure for HPV, certain treatments can help manage the symptoms it causes. Therapeutic vaccines, for example, have been shown to successfully treat half of patients with high-grade lesions. Furthermore, medicinal mushrooms, specifically AHCC (a unique extract derived from shiitake mushrooms), have been found in studies to improve immune function and aid in clearing HPV infections.
Mellow Mushroom Durham: Delivery Options and Details
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects more than 80% of women in their lifetime. It is the leading cause of six different types of cancer, the most common being cervical cancer.
There is currently no cure for HPV, but several studies have shown that a supplement called AHCC, derived from the cell wall of the roots of Lentitula Edodes mushrooms, can help clear HPV infections.
AHCC, or Active Hexose Correlated Compound, is a proprietary, standardised extract of cultured Lentitula Edodes mycelia. It is primarily composed of α-glucan components, which give it unique immune-modulatory benefits.
AHCC works by suppressing IFN-beta to less than 20pg/mL, which correlates with an increase in T-lymphocytes and IFN-y, leading to durable clearance of HPV infections.
Yes, there are other treatments for HPV, including cryotherapy, surgical excision, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), and cold knife conization. However, these treatments do not necessarily prevent the HPV virus from returning or spreading to other areas of the body.