Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC powder) is an alpha-glucan rich nutritional supplement produced from the mycelia of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) of the basidiomycete family of mushrooms. The compound is a subject of research as a potential anti-cancer agent but has not been conclusively found to treat cancer or any other disease, and there are conflict of interest concerns about the published research.AHCC is a popular alternative medicine in Japan.

Polysaccharides comprise 40% of the composition of AHCC. These include beta-glucan (β-glucan) and acetylated α-glucan. Acetylated α-glucan, produced by culturing the mushroom mycelia, is unique to AHCC. Glucans are polysaccharides and these polysaccharides are known to have immune stimulating effects.

AHCC powder is widely used in Japan and China. It is available to the general public in Japan and China without a prescription and many people use it for general health maintenance and treatment of acute infections. Its legal status is that of a "functional food".

In Japan, AHCC is the 2nd most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients. Agaricus blazei supplements are the most popular, outpacing AHCC.

Functions

1. Immune System

AHCC powder 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 it 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 it may also help alleviate chemotherapy side effects in humans.

3. Cancer

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

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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

5. Flu

In tests on mice, scientists have demonstrated that it may help rev up immune response to flu infection. For example, in a 2006 study from the Journal of Nutrition, it 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.

Applications

In alternative medicine, it 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 it can help protect against cancer and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. In addition, Pure AHCC Powder is said to help prevent heart disease and treat hepatitis.