The Benefits of AHCC

AHCC (active hexose correlated compound) is a natural substance extracted from certain species of basidiomycetes (a class of mushrooms that includes shiitake). Available in supplement form, AHCC is known to act as an antioxidant. While research on AHCC's health effects is fairly limited, proponents claim that taking AHCC can produce a variety of health benefits.

In alternative medicine, AHCC is said to stimulate the immune system and increase your defense against viral infections, including the flu and the common cold. Many proponents also suggest that AHCC can help protect against cancer and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. In addition, AHCC is said to help prevent heart disease and treat hepatitis.

So far, few clinical trials have tested the health effects of AHCC. Still, some preliminary research shows that AHCC may offer certain health benefits. Here's a look at several key findings from the available research.

1) Immune System

AHCC may help boost immunity, according to a small 2008 clinical trial in Nutrition and Cancer. For the study, 21 healthy volunteers took either an AHCC supplement or a placebo every day for four weeks. At the study's end, members of the AHCC group showed a significantly greater increase in the number of dendritic cells (a type of cell involved in the immune response).

2) Chemotherapy Side Effects

Animal-based research shows that AHCC may help reduce certain side effects of chemotherapy. For instance, in a 2009 report from the Journal of Experimental Therapeutics and Oncology, scientists discovered that treating mice with AHCC helped shield them from chemotherapy-induced liver damage and bone marrow suppression. However, it's too soon to tell whether AHCC may also help alleviate chemotherapy side effects in humans.

3) Cancer

AHCC may help inhibit cancer development, according to a 2006 animal-based study in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. In an experiment involving mice inoculated with cancer cells, AHCC treatment significantly enhanced immune response and delayed tumor development.

4) Inflammatory Bowel Disease

AHCC shows promise in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In a 2007 study on rats (Journal of Nutrition), researchers found that AHCC helped reduce inflammation and enhanced several markers of colon health in rats with colitis.

5) Flu

In tests on mice, scientists have demonstrated that AHCC may help rev up the immune response to flu infection. For example, in a 2006 study from the Journal of Nutrition, AHCC appeared to reduce the severity of flu infection and boost activity in natural killer cells (a major player in immune response) in influenza-infected mice.

Little is known about the safety of long-term use of AHCC. However, there's some concern that AHCC may trigger mild side effects, including diarrhea and itching.

Widely available for purchase online, AHCC supplements are sold in many natural-food stores and in stores specializing in dietary supplements.

Due to a lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend AHCC for any health condition. What's more, there's insufficient evidence to support the claim that AHCC can prevent cancer. To lower your overall cancer risk, the National Cancer Institute recommends you avoid cigarette-smoking and tobacco use; limit your exposure to radiation, and get screened for pre-cancerous conditions. Following a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a normal weight may also help prevent cancer.

If you're considering the use of AHCC for a chronic condition, make sure to consult your physician. Self-treating a chronic condition with AHCC and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.