What to Look for in an AHCC® Supplement

If you’re trying to choose an AHCC® supplement, you’ve no doubt been drawn to the compound’s reported immune system boosting properties.* 

While AHCC® has been shown in multiple clinical studies to help support a healthy immune system and improve the body’s immune response,* not all AHCC® supplements are equally as effective. Here’s what to look for in an AHCC® supplement.

What is AHCC®?

AHCC® is a proprietary blend of medicinal mushrooms that is used to help support a healthy immune system and provide other health benefits.* 

Discovered in 1989 in Japan, AHCC® has been proven to boost the activity and strength of the immune system and may be helpful in promoting multiple other health benefits.*

What To Look for in an AHCC® Supplement

If you are considering taking an AHCC® supplement or dietary supplement, it’s important to do plenty of research to ensure that you are choosing a quality product. 

As AHCC® supplements become more popular, more and more supplement companies have begun incorporating the compound into their formulas, but not all of these supplements are created equally. 

In order to receive the maximum benefit from your AHCC® supplement, you need to look for the following:*

• Immunomodulating
• High-quality ingredients
• The adequate concentration of AHCC®
• Safe and soothing
• Food allergen-friendly

Immunomodulating

AHCC® is best known for its immunomodulating properties, meaning that the compound has the ability to help support immune system response.* 

The AHCC® supplement that you choose should be able to report benefits that include overall supported immune system performance, higher levels of white blood cell activity, improved white blood cell energy, and a faster activation of the innate immune response.* 

If the AHCC® supplement that you choose does not help to support your immune system, it’s probably because it uses low-quality ingredients, does not contain enough AHCC®, or both. 

High Quality Ingredients 

With so much competition on the market, many AHCC® supplement manufacturers look to cut corners any way they can in order to gain a competitive edge. 

All AHCC® must be sourced from the proprietary manufacturer in Japan, so the easiest way to cut costs is to include low quality filler ingredients in the rest of the supplement. 

Look for a supplement that contains only ingredients that are supported by human studies and contain dosages that are consistent with the dosages studied in clinical research.* Also, your AHCC® supplement must be easily absorbed and utilized by the body in order to be effective.

In order to be easily absorbed and used by the body, your AHCC® supplement of choice should contain a high level of alpha glucans and a low molecular weight of around 5000 daltons. AHCC® supplements with these qualities are more readily absorbed and utilized by the body, which means that you won’t be spending your money on something that your body can’t use.* 

Mushrooms naturally contain alpha glucans, which support the structure of the cell wall in the mushroom and encourage healthy function. Alpha and beta-glucans are the primary means by which nutritional and medicinal properties associated with medicinal mushrooms are delivered, so it is important that your chosen AHCC® supplement contains them in high levels.* A low molecular weight also improves the body’s ability to absorb and utilize AHCC® in a supplement.* 

Adequate Concentrations of AHCC® 

People who choose to take an AHCC® supplement are usually doing so because they hope to receive the benefits of a healthy, supported immune system.* 

In order to achieve these results, it’s critical to look for an AHCC® supplement that contains an adequate level of AHCC® in order to support your immune system and receive all of the health benefits that AHCC® has to offer.* 

Clinical studies have been conducted in which humans receive anywhere from one to six grams of AHCC® per day, so there is no current recommended dose of AHCC®. However, make sure that the AHCC® supplement that you choose contains a serving size that includes at least one gram and no more than six grams of AHCC® per day. 

The amount of AHCC® that you will need to take to receive immune system benefits varies based on your age, gender, medical conditions to be treated, and overall health.* 

For example, otherwise healthy people who are hoping to receive an immune boost but are not currently fighting an infection may consider taking 1000 mg, or 1 gram, of AHCC® per day.* By contrast, a person who needs more immune support may need to take three to six grams, or 3000 to 6000 mg, of AHCC® per day in order to notice results.* 

Clinical studies have focused on doses of one to six grams of AHCC® per day, so make sure your supplement contains at least one gram of AHCC® per serving. 

Quality of Life offers a number of different AHCC® supplements geared towards individuals with different needs, such as AHCC® Kinoko Gold, which contains 500 mg of AHCC® per vegicap (one serving is two capsules) and AHCC® Kinoko Platinum, which contains 750 mg of AHCC® per vegicap, and can be taken in a dose of two to four capsules per day.

Safe and Soothing 

AHCC® can sometimes cause mild side effects in some people. Among the most common side effects associated with AHCC® use are diarrhea, bloating, itching, fatigue, and foot cramps. 

Diarrhea and digestive upset in particular are among the most common side effects, so it is important to choose an AHCC® supplement that contains safe, high quality ingredients that won’t excessively irritate your digestive system. 

When combined with safe, high quality ingredients, AHCC® can actually help soothe the digestive system and minimize your likelihood of experiencing side effects. In fact, AHCC® has been shown to support a healthy digestive system, which is closely linked to overall immune health.*

Food Allergen-Friendly 

Rates of food allergies and food sensitivities are steadily increasing worldwide, so choose an AHCC® supplement that the whole family can safely use. 

When choosing an AHCC® supplement, it’s recommended to search for products that are accessible for those with sensitivities. Quality of Life produces AHCC® immune supplements that are dairy-free, GMO-free, vegetarian, gluten-free, and magnesium stearate-free, making them more accessible for the entire family.*

How To Make Your AHCC® Supplement More Effective

Choosing the right AHCC® supplement is the most important thing you can do in order to maximize the effectiveness of your supplement, but there are also other steps you can take to boost your immune system and improve the effectiveness of your supplement. 

Follow these simple tips to live a healthy lifestyle and improve your immune system overall:

1. Take your AHCC® supplement consistently. The supplement is the most effective when taken regularly on a daily basis.
2. Avoid smoking and the use of other tobacco products.
3. Exercise regularly, including at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.
4. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that contains whole food ingredients like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean protein sources. Eating a healthy diet will help to improve your gut health, which plays a critical role in a healthy immune system.*
5. Protect yourself from disease by washing your hands thoroughly, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, on a frequent basis.
6. Get enough sleep each night. Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night in order to feel their best and recharge their immune system.
7. Keep your stress levels to a minimum as much as you can. Stress is damaging to your overall health and can weaken your immune system over time.
8. Drink alcohol only in moderation.

Buy AHCC® - Kinoko Platinum

Summary

With so many options on the market when it comes to AHCC® supplements, it’s important to do your research and make sure you know what to look for in an AHCC® supplement. 

The ideal AHCC® supplement should contain high quality ingredients, promote immunomodulation, contain adequate concentrations of AHCC® spread out across multiple capsules in each serving, be accessible for those with food sensitivities, and be safe and soothing for the digestive system in order to minimize side effects.* 

Quality of Life offers three AHCC® supplements that meet all of these requirements, including AHCC® Kinoko Gold, AHCC® Kinoko Platinum, and AHCC® Rx.*