Downloadable Files in PDF format on AHCC
Common Questions about AHCC ImmunoKinoko
What is AHCC? AHCC stands for Active Hexose Correlated Compound. It is a patented natural product made from several species of medicinal mushrooms including Shiitake, all cultivated in Japan. AHCC has been used since 1988 primarily to help compromised immune systems, and to improve quality of life in patients with chronic illness.
What are the most common uses for AHCC ImmunoKinoko? Cancer and liver disorders such as hepatitis C are the most common conditions which can be supported using AHCC. Doctors and clinics worldwide have been using AHCC on immune compromised patients (i.e. HIV, chemotherapy) as well as in liver disorder patients to improve their quality of life and extend life expectancy.
What other conditions can AHCC ImmunoKinoko be useful for? Research has found that AHCC can be a valuable supplement to support any condition which would benefit from a stronger immune system. Such conditions include, Hepatitis C, HIV, the common cold, flues, chronic fatigue, and seasonal allergies or hay fever. The research shows that other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and Candida Albicans proliferation seem to benefit from AHCC supplementation.
Dosage: How much AHCC should I take and when? Dosage range is between 1-6 grams per day. This equates to 1-6 bottles per month (60 capsules of 500mg). AHCC should be taken in divided doses on an empty stomach (30 minutes before meals or 2 hours after meals) for optimal absorption. For example, when taking 3 grams per day, take 3 capsules 30 minutes before breakfast and 3 before dinner. While the advanced dose is between 3-6 grams per day, the maintenance dose is only 1 gram per day. During times of severe illness, the advanced dosage range should be used, and as the condition improves, the patient can lower to maintenance dose.
The recommended dose for someone in late stage cancer is 6 grams per day. This means 12 capsules per day (4 capsules 3 times daily on an empty stomach).
About 30-40% of patients notice the energy enhancing effects of AHCC. If you find AHCC to have an energizing effect, do not take it before bed.
Can AHCC help reduce the damaging effects of stress? AHCC helps anyone who is under physical and psychological stress. Stress can significantly suppress the immune system which results in increased susceptibility to infections. More specifically, NK cell activity causes upregulation of inflammatory cytokines such as Th2, and upregulation of IL-12, preventing apoptosis in T-cells. These events cause a weakening of the immune system. AHCC acts directly against stress by restraining corticosteroid and epinephrine production.
Is it safe to use AHCC during Chemotherapy or Radiation? Yes! AHCC is extremely beneficial DURING chemotherapy or radiation during which the body is weakened tremendously and can benefit from AHCC's immune boosting effects. AHCC protects the liver and other organs from damage, while it also enhances the positive effects of the chemotherapy. As documented in the AHCC research summaries, AHCC is known to reduce the side negative effects of chemotherapy. Most notably, AHCC helps increase the white blood cells which get suppressed during chemo (myelosuppression). It is critical to get white blood cells to stay high during treatment, or treatment cannot continue and the patient is prone to viruses and other illnesses that he/she cannot fight off.
What kind of quality of life improvements have been documented during use of AHCC?
- less fatigue
- better sleep
- better spirits and mood
- overall feelings of well-being and positive energy
- less hair loss
- better appetite, less nausea
- white blood cell count optimized
- immune system significantly stronger (NK cells, macrophage activity, cytokines, Interleukins)
- increased ability of the body to fight the cancer cells
- increased life span (as seen in 2 studies of human liver cancer patients -see research studies).
Does AHCC offer hope for advanced stages of cancer?
Unfortunately, once the disease has spread as far as it has, there is not much one can do except improve their quality of
life as best possible. Prayer, meditation, time with family and close friends, etc. Yet, AHCC can in fact increase quality of
life. It is dramatic in its effects to slow progression of disease, but it is not a cure, nor will it on its own stop the cancer
from spreading.
Why is it better to take AHCC on an empty stomach? If AHCC is taken with meals, it will be
diluted by the food and may be excreted along with food fibers without absorption. Thus, the best time to take AHCC is 30
minutes before meals or 1 to 2 hours after a meal.
Does AHCC lose its effectiveness over time?
No. An AHCC placebo controlled scientific trial published in a peer reviewed journal showed that patients who used
AHCC regularly over a ten year period had consistent and significant improvement as compared to the placebo group.
How does AHCC compare to MGN-3? Although AHCC and MGN-3 are similar in their mode of action, AHCC is far
superior as it has been researched and used extensively in Cancer clinics since 1988 worldwide, and is the #1 selling immune
product in Japan. MGN-3 has only been around since 1995 and primarily one scientist has done research on its efficacy (and he
seems financially linked to the company who manufactures the product). Other points include that AHCC is more effective, less
expensive, more published research, higher quality research, more widely used, and is superior in NK cell activity enhancement
(21% more than MGN-3 shown by independent study). Furthermore, AHCC can be taken at the same time as antioxidants, unlike MGN-3
(which warns against it). Lastly, AHCC is supported by its own research association “The International AHCC Researchers
Association”, an independent group which meets annually allowing over 300 scientists and doctors to discuss the latest data
on AHCC. (see Adobe file name "AHCC Compared to MGN3" for more details)
What is the purpose of AHCC's coating?
The coating on each individual granule of AHCC is mainly to preserve the quality of AHCC since it can be damaged by
moisture over time as it is stored in a bottle, and also to protect AHCC from the stomach so that there is less damage to
AHCC itself as it is being digested. The coating cannot be destroyed by acid in stomach but well soluble in intestines for
absorption. AHCC liquid does not have any protective material around it, thus a 30% higher concentration of AHCC is needed
as consideration is taken for AHCC’s destruction in stomach in acid.
Scientific Research and Widespread Use of
AHCC In 2001, over 700 hospitals and medical clinics worldwide were recommending AHCC to their patients. More than
15 books and hundreds of periodical articles have been written about AHCC. Also, over 17 published research studies exist
on AHCC (some in peer reviewed journals), 16 Abstracts, 11 presentations, and 23 basic and clinical research summaries.
In sum, AHCC has an impressive number of quality research trials showing its safety and efficacy over the last 14 years.
These records are unsurpassed by RM-10 and any other medicinal mushroom product on the market.
NutrAward: National Recognition for Best Product The NUTRACON corporation awarded AHCC the prestigious
"NutrAward" -BEST NEW PRODUCT IN 2002! This award is given to the best new natural product on the market with solid scientific research and proven efficacy. http://www.nutraconference.com
Top Quality Manufacturing Process and Quality Control: Amino Up Chemical Corporation in Sapporo, Japan are the exclusive manufacturers of AHCC worldwide. In Japan, rigorous quality control standards exist for supplement companies and they must follow the same guidelines as for production of pharmaceutical compounds. After cultivation of the mushrooms which are all organically grown in rice bran, it takes over 45 days for fermentation and production of one batch of AHCC.
Since January 2002, AHCC has further improved their Quality Control to include coverage under HACCP-9000 QC. This superior QC standard combines the NSF-ISR standards (ISO9002- NSF International Strategic Registration, LTD), and the HACCP standards. Furthermore, in Japan all the foods are under the control of “Food Hygiene Laws”.
Unique Patented Active Ingredients: AHCC is a patented substance obtained from the hybridization of several species of medicinal mushrooms including Shiitake. AHCC’s active ingredients include acetylated ?- and ?-glucans which are oligosaccharide obtained during the Basidiomycetes’ cultivation process. Most importantly, AHCC contains the patented GI-saccharide which does not exist in any other mushroom or immune enhancing product (including MGN-3). More specifically, GI-saccharide has been found to be the most potent activator of the immune system through its ability to enhance cytokine production. Cytokines are the most critical cells in the immune system and include TNF-?, IFN-gamma, IL-1, IL-2, and IL-12. AHCC has also shown to activate macrophages, NK cells and LAK cells, which are also key immune system cells. (see AHCC Research Summaries booklet page 7 for complete details).
Bioavailability Unsurpassed by Other Mushroom Products: A products bioavailability is its ability to be digested and absorbed efficiently by the stomach. All mushrooms supplements are made of polysaccharides which are very hard to digest. Specifically, the molecular weight of most polysaccharides is usually over 200,000 Daltons, yet AHCC’s is under 5,000 Daltons with a high concentration of the specialized 10% oligosaccharides (alpha-1,4 glucan). Thus, AHCC’s very low molecular weight is a critical feature allowing for optimal bioavailability, and maximum immune enhancing activity including increased cytokine and macrophage production.
Safety: AHCC is extremely safe for human consumption. The medicinal mushrooms from which it is made have been consumed for centuries, and the supplement has been used since 1986 with no overdose toxicity. Acute toxicological studies in animals show the LD50 of AHCC to be over 12g per kg body weight, and by intraperitoneal administration over 8.5 g per kg.
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