Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of AHCCDosageSafetyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of AHCC
Dosage
Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
AHCC is an extract manufactured in Japan fromshiitakemushrooms.It’s been studied for its role in the immune system,cancer,liver disease, andHuman papillomavirus (HPV).
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Preclinical trials (using cells in test tubes or animal models) have studied AHCC’s effects on viruses like thefluand theWest Nile virusand cancers likemelanoma.
Though AHCC was beneficial in animal models for these conditions, there’s no guarantee that it would help humans.
Clinical trials are certainly necessary before AHCC can be suggested for these conditions.
Though more data is still necessary, AHCC has been studied in clinical trials for things like cancer, liver disease, and HPV.
AHCC Supplement Facts
Cancer
AHCC can help reduce theside effects of chemotherapy medicationsand improve the quality of life for people with advanced cancer.
For instance, supplementing with AHCC lowered the side effects of the medicinegemcitabinein people withpancreatic cancer.
It’s also been studied as an add-on treatment for people withliver cancerwho have had part of their liver removed (also calledhepatectomyorliver resection).
In a very small study of 29 people, taking AHCC for up to two years was associated with a decreased risk ofcancer recurrence.
Immunity
AHCC may boost the immune system—but more research is necessary.
A small study of 34 healthy adults showed that supplementing with AHCC can offset the seasonal dip in immunity that typically occurs during winter.
People who used AHCC had better immune system function during the early winter than those who took a placebo (sugar pill).
Those who supplemented with AHCC did not have a decline in natural killer cells. However, those who took a placebo (sugar pill) had lower numbers of natural killer cells and lower immune system function.
Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
AHCC was studied in a clinical trial of 69 adults with alcohol-related liver disease at two different dosages.
Both dosages improvedliver enzyme levelsand decreasedmarkers of inflammation.
That the people in the trial had only mildly increased liver enzymes was notable. More data is necessary to determine if people with more significant diseases would benefit from AHCC as well.
Human Papillomavirus
A small study was conducted in 41 females with persistent high-risk HPV infections. These high-risk HPV strains are often associated with cancer.
The study showed that taking AHCC daily for at least six months effectively treated nearly 60% of those who used it.In contrast, HPV infections were eliminated in only 10% of those who took a placebo.
It’s not recommended to take AHCC in place of standard HPV treatment.
A healthcare professional, such as aregistered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), pharmacist, or healthcare provider, should individualize and vet all supplement use. No supplement’s intended purpose is to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
The recommended dosage of AHCC may vary depending on the purpose of its use. Daily doses are typically between 1 and 3 grams.
Some doses used in clinical trials include the following:
Safety of AHCC
Avoid AHCC if you’re allergic to it or its components. Individuals with mushroom allergies should proceed with caution when taking AHCC.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have asevere allergic reaction(itching, hives, shortness of breath).
Side Effects
Consuming a supplement like AHCC may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common and mild or less common and severe.
There is very little safety data on AHCC, but so far, there haven’t been many side effects reported.
One clinical trial reported similar side effect rates for AHCC and placebo. These adverse effects included:
Interactions
AHCC may interact with the following medications:
Carefully reading a supplement’s ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included is essential. Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
Precautions
Keep the following precautions in mind when using AHCC:
Summary
AHCC is an extract made from mushrooms that may boost immunity. It’s been studied in humans for cancer, HPV, and liver disease. Small studies show benefits, but more extensive clinical trials are needed before AHCC can be routinely recommended.
AHCC has few reported side effects, but it can interact with cancer medications and other drugs that the liver breaks down.
Because there haven’t been many clinical trials, whether AHCC is safe for children or during pregnancy or breastfeeding remains unclear.
Frequently Asked QuestionsActive hexose correlated compound, or AHCC, is an extract made from shiitake mushrooms. It has been studied for its role in regulating the immune system.AHCC effectively boosted the immune system after four weeks, according to a small trial of 36 adults.And it suppressed HPV infections after three to six months, according to a small study of 41 females.In a small study, AHCC cleared persistent HPV in almost 60% of the females who took it.More robust clinical trials are necessary to verify this effect.
Active hexose correlated compound, or AHCC, is an extract made from shiitake mushrooms. It has been studied for its role in regulating the immune system.
AHCC effectively boosted the immune system after four weeks, according to a small trial of 36 adults.And it suppressed HPV infections after three to six months, according to a small study of 41 females.
AHCC effectively boosted the immune system after four weeks, according to a small trial of 36 adults.
And it suppressed HPV infections after three to six months, according to a small study of 41 females.
In a small study, AHCC cleared persistent HPV in almost 60% of the females who took it.More robust clinical trials are necessary to verify this effect.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Shin MS, Park HJ, Maeda T, et al.The effects of AHCC®, a standardized extract of culturedLentinura edodesmycelia, on natural killer and T cells in health and disease: reviews on human and animal studies.J Immunol Res. 2019;2019:3758576. doi:10.1155/2019/3758576
Kamiyama T, Orimo T, Wakayama K, et al.Preventing recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative hepatectomy with active hexose correlated compound derived fromLentinula edodesmycelia.Integr Cancer Ther. 2022;21:15347354211073066. doi:10.1177/15347354211073066
Takanari J, Hirayama Y, Homma K, et al.Effects of active hexose correlated compound on the seasonal variations of immune competence in healthy subjects.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015;20(1):28-34. doi:10.1177/2156587214555573
Yanagimoto H, Satoi S, Yamamoto T, et al.Alleviating effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) on chemotherapy-related adverse events in patients with unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.Nutr Cancer. 2016;68(2):234-240. doi:10.1080/01635581.2016.1134597
Kim H, Kim JH, Im JA.Effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) in alcohol-induced liver enzyme elevation.J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2014;60(5):348-356. doi:10.3177/jnsv.60.348
Smith JA, Gaikwad AA, Mathew L, et al.AHCC® supplementation to support immune function to clear persistent human papillomavirus infections.Front Oncol. 2022;12:881902. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.881902
Mathew L, Gaikwad A, Gonzalez A, et al.Evaluation of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) in combination with anticancer hormones in orthotopic breast cancer models.Integr Cancer Ther. 2017;16(3):300-307. doi:10.1177/1534735417704948
Wolf CPJG, Rachow T, Ernst T, et al.Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) supplements in cancer outpatients: analyses of usage and of interaction risks with cancer treatment.J Cancer Res Clin Oncol148, 1123–1135 (2022). doi:10.1007/s00432-021-03675-7
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