Sarah Brown
Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is a proprietary extract derived from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms. It is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides that are thought to enhance its biological effects. AHCC is believed to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects, and it has been studied for its role in regulating the immune system. The extract has been investigated for its potential health benefits, including its ability to boost the immune system, prevent and treat cancer, and suppress viral infections such as HPV. While AHCC has shown promising results in animal models and small human trials, further clinical research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety for human use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full form | Active Hexose Correlated Compound |
| Type | Extract from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms |
| Manufacturer | Amino Up Co., Ltd. |
| Manufacturer Location | Sapporo, Japan |
| Consistency | Standardized quality |
| Composition | Mixture of nutrients including oligosaccharides, amino acids, and minerals |
| Properties | Polysaccharides, large sugar polymers |
| Benefits | Anti-inflammatory, anticancer, boosts immune system, improves T-cell immune responses, increases resistance to microbial infections, may protect against oxidative stress-induced disorders |
| Side effects | May cause hypersensitivity reactions, not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding |
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What You'll Learn
- AHCC is a mixture of components derived from the mycelia of shiitake mushrooms
- It is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides
- AHCC is used to prevent and treat cancer and improve immune responses
- It is available as a supplement and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine
- AHCC may cause hypersensitivity reactions and is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
AHCC is a mixture of components derived from the mycelia of shiitake mushrooms
AHCC, or Active Hexose Correlated Compound, is a mixture of components derived from the mycelia of shiitake mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms, or Lentinula edodes, are a type of fungus characterised by root-like parts (mycelia) and umbrella-shaped caps. The mycelia of shiitake mushrooms are specifically used in the production of AHCC.
AHCC is a proprietary mushroom culture extract manufactured by Amino Up Co., Ltd., a Japanese biotech company. The manufacturing process involves culturing a specialty strain of mycelia with a unique mix of nutrients for nearly two months. This process favours the release of small bioactive molecules that act as nontoxic agonists for toll-like receptors (TLRs), specifically TLR-4, initiating a systemic anti-inflammatory response.
The resulting product, AHCC, is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides, which are thought to enhance its biological effects. These polysaccharides stimulate specific receptors located on human immune cells in the gut. AHCC is believed to bind to TLR-2 and TLR-4, acting as an immune modulator. It has been studied for its potential effects on the immune system, cancer, liver disease, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
AHCC has been proposed as a treatment for cancer, with some studies suggesting it may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. However, research into its effectiveness as a cancer treatment has produced uncertain and inconclusive results, and further detailed research is needed. AHCC is also used by some as a complementary treatment during conventional cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy, for its reported immunomodulatory functions.
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It is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides
Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is a proprietary extract derived from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms. It is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides, which are thought to enhance its biological effects.
AHCC is a mixture of components derived from cultured mushroom mycelia. Mycelia are the root-like parts of fungi that grow in the soil or wood, while the umbrella-shaped part we generally eat as a mushroom is the fruiting body of the fungi. For AHCC, the mycelia of Lentinula edodes, also known as shiitake, are used.
While general mushroom products mainly contain a polysaccharide called beta-glucans, AHCC is rich in partly acylated alpha-1,4 glucans, which are not normally found in mushrooms and can only be derived through a proprietary manufacturing process. This process enables the production of a consistent and standardized quality of AHCC by culturing a specialty strain of mycelia.
The alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides in AHCC are believed to play a role in enhancing its biological effects. Research has shown that AHCC can improve immune responses and increase resistance to infections and inflammatory disorders. For example, AHCC improved T-cell immune responses, increased dendritic cell number and function, and improved antibody response to the influenza vaccine in healthy adults.
In addition to its immunomodulatory properties, AHCC has been proposed as a potential treatment for cancer. However, research into its effectiveness has produced uncertain and inconclusive evidence, and further detailed research is needed before any recommendations can be made.
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AHCC is used to prevent and treat cancer and improve immune responses
Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is a proprietary extract derived from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms. It is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides that are thought to enhance its biological effects. The polysaccharides in AHCC stimulate specific receptors located on human immune cells in the gut.
Preliminary findings suggest that AHCC may improve prognosis and prevent recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma, improve nutritional status, and reduce chemotherapy-related adverse events in patients with unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, in an open-label multicenter study of patients with early-stage prostate cancer, AHCC was ineffective in reducing prostate-specific antigen levels by 50% or more.
AHCC is also being investigated for its potential to boost immune defence against infections such as HPV, which can lead to cervical cancer. Preclinical studies have shown that AHCC has synergistic effects with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells and increases the antitumor activity of cisplatin in a murine model, along with mitigating the side effects of chemotherapy.
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It is available as a supplement and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine
AHCC, or Active Hexose Correlated Compound, is a proprietary extract derived from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms. It is available as a supplement and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Mushrooms have been used for their health benefits in traditional medicines from different parts of the world. In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms have been used to modify immunity. The exact effects of mushroom extracts on the immune system are not fully understood, but they are thought to have immunomodulatory functions.
AHCC is a mixture of components derived from cultured mushroom mycelia. Mycelia are the root-like parts of fungi that grow in the soil or wood, while the umbrella-shaped part that we generally eat as a mushroom is the fruiting body of the fungi. The mycelia of Lentinula edodes, or shiitake mushrooms, are used to make AHCC.
AHCC is available as a supplement and has been used to boost the immune system, treat cancer, and fight infections. It has been studied for its role in regulating the immune system, cancer, liver disease, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is often used as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for immune support. Reports in animal and clinical settings have indicated that AHCC is associated with an enhanced response to infection and increased survival.
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AHCC may cause hypersensitivity reactions and is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is a proprietary extract derived from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms. It is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides, which are thought to enhance its biological effects. The mycelium is the root-like part of the fungus that grows in the soil or wood, while the umbrella-shaped part is the fruiting body of the fungus, which we typically eat as a mushroom.
AHCC has been used as a supplement to boost the immune system and has been studied in humans for cancer, HPV, and liver disease. However, it is important to note that AHCC may cause hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals. People with mushroom allergies, in particular, should exercise caution when taking AHCC. If you experience itching, hives, or shortness of breath after consuming AHCC, seek immediate medical attention.
Additionally, AHCC is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to a lack of sufficient data on its safety during these periods. While AHCC has been shown to have potential benefits, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and potential side effects. As with any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before use, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any underlying health concerns.
Furthermore, AHCC has not been studied in children, so it is not recommended for pediatric use. This is due to the limited safety data available for this age group. It is crucial to consult a pediatrician before giving any supplement to a child to ensure their safety and well-being.
In conclusion, while AHCC shows promise as an immune-boosting supplement, it is important to approach it with caution. Individuals with known hypersensitivities or allergies to mushrooms should be particularly vigilant. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in children due to insufficient safety data. Consulting a healthcare professional before taking AHCC or any other supplement is always the best course of action.
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Frequently asked questions
AHCC stands for Active Hexose Correlated Compound. It is a proprietary extract derived from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms. It is rich in alpha-1,4-glucan oligosaccharides that are thought to enhance its biological effects.
AHCC is used as a dietary supplement to boost the immune system and has been studied for its potential role in treating cancer, liver disease, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is also used by some as a complementary treatment during conventional cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy, for its reported immunomodulatory functions.
AHCC works as a 'modulator' of the human immune system by stimulating specific receptors located on human immune cells in the gut. It has been found to enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity and improve T-cell immune responses.
