How Do Different AHCC® Specifications Work?
AHCC® is derived from shiitake mushrooms. It’s important to understand that, though AHCC® is derived from these simple roots, the process of producing AHCC® is complex and detail-oriented, hence why AHCC® is such a unique nutritional supplement.
AHCC® continues to grow in popularity in the western market, and for great reasons. It has been one of the most popular nutritional supplements available to the general public in Asia--especially in China and Japan. Many praise its general health-boosting and immune system-boosting effects.*
Quality of Life® AHCC® has a very low molecular weight of only 5,000 daltons, and is very rich in alpha-glucans, which can help your body absorb and distribute AHCC® within your body.* Over 1,000 health clinics across the world use our AHCC® nutritional supplements, crediting groundbreaking research into its possible health-promoting properties.
These supplements are delivered to the body via vegicap, which include:
- AHCC®, a proprietary blend of mushroom mycelia extract from hybridized basidiomycetes or shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) with acetylated alpha-glucans
- Carnauba plant wax
- Dextrin (tapioca)
- Cellulose (plant)
- Alpha-cyclodextrin (vegetable)
The blend of the complex AHCC® product itself, along with the other ingredients, ensures a great experience when taking the AHCC® vegicapsule.
AHCC® is often credited for its ability to support the immune system.*
Some studies have shown that AHCC® can help support the immune system by:
- Maintaining optimal NK cell activity*
- Enhancing cytokine production*
- Promoting optimal T-cell activity*
- Promoting optimal macrophage activity*
- Increasing the activity & number of dendritic cells*
How is AHCC® Made?
AHCC® is a dietary supplement, and is extracted from the mycelia of Lentinula edodes, commonly known as shiitake mushrooms.
The production of AHCC® begins first with the cultivation and growth of shiitake mushrooms. These mushrooms are most commonly grown in wood forests in Japan, where they can also be found in the wild. They are grown for weeks and are carefully supervised during this delicate process.
Shiitake mushrooms are then imported to Amino Up Chemical Co. Ltd. at their singular factory location in Sapporo, Japan.
These shiitake mushrooms are subject to a lengthy, complex process, which allow for the extraction of important shiitake mushroom elements to produce AHCC®:
- Quality shiitake mushrooms are carefully selected from the bunch.
- An assortment of Basidiomycota phylum fungi hybrids are also selected.
- The mycelia (hair-like root structures) of the shiitake mushrooms are separated from the rest of the mushrooms. They are then cultured in a rice bran extract, which is filled with various antiviral and immune system enhancing qualities until they form a colony
- After forming a colony, the shiitake mushroom is further cultured for an additional 45 to 60 days.
- Once at full growth, the shiitake mushroom colony undergoes a complex, patented process in preparation for its final distribution via AHCC® capsule. These steps include further cultivation, enzyme decomposition, sterilization, concentration, and freeze-drying.
Each step of this lengthy process is carefully computer-monitored, ensuring high quality AHCC® products.
The process was originally developed at the University of Tokyo - Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Skilled scientist Dr. Toshihiko Okamoto led a team of researchers from Amino Up Chemical Co Ltd. in 1989, and the process has hardly changed since then.
The quality of AHCC® ingredients are always top-tier and held to the highest standards.
Why Make An Extract From Shiitake Mushrooms?
Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated and consumed for centuries in East Asia. Many historic writings have documented the health-boosting effects of shiitake mushrooms and their usage in eastern traditional medicine.*
They are abundant in the mountainous regions of Asia, and have been a staple in the cuisine for a very long time.
It has been speculated that certain molecules and compounds found in shiitake mushrooms are good for human health. Specifically, shiitake mushrooms contain sterols, beta glucans, and eritadenine, and it has been suggested that these compounds specifically play a role in supporting heart health.*
How is Taking AHCC® Good For Boosting My General Health?
The human body relies on a number of factors to maintain general health and well-being. One factor that heavily contributes to this is your diet. It’s the reason why we always learn as we grow up to eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, and to limit our intake of unhealthy foods.
Yet, it’s not always easy to achieve the perfect diet. Taking a nutritional supplement such as AHCC® can help give your body the extra boost it needs to maintain your general well-being.*
AHCC® specifically is taken by people who want to support their immune system function. This is because various institutional studies have found that AHCC®:
- Increases the production of cytokines*
- Increases the populations of macrophages by as much as 200%*
- Increases the activity of NK cells by as much as 300% - 800%*
- Increases the number of T cells by as much as 200%*
- Increases the number of dendritic cells*
These various effects show that AHCC® impacts the immune system and its function.* For many, keeping a healthy immune system is key in ensuring our general health and well-being.
Where Can I Purchase Quality AHCC®?
AHCC® nutritional supplements are available for purchase online from Quality of Life®.
Quality of Life® is a nutritional supplement distribution company. We are dedicated to providing our customers with access to a wide assortment of top-quality supplements--all formulated using one-of-a-kind nutraceutical ingredients, and under our approval.
Since 1998, we have honored our commitment to provide our patrons with the latest information and developments in the rapidly-growing world of natural products. We promise to put you forward as a friend first!
All ingredients in all Quality of Life® products are backed by human studies and meant to be delivered in dosages consistent with worldwide clinical research.
Quality of Life® offers AHCC® nutritional supplements:
Our products are made from quality AHCC®, and are easy to take on a daily basis by vegicap!
Quality of Life® AHCC® products are also dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, magnesium stearate-free, vegetarian, and packaged and shipped in the United States. When we say that our mission and vision is to provide you with easy access to high-quality, natural nutritional supplements--we absolutely mean it!
What Else Should I Know Before Taking AHCC®?
Because AHCC® would be a new supplement to your daily diet needs, it’s always important to understand whether or not it could potentially interact with any other supplements or medications you are also taking.
AHCC® is metabolized via the enzyme pathway “P450 2D6.” This means that if you are also taking other supplements or medications that are metabolized via this enzyme pathway, there is a possibility for interaction, and the amount of AHCC® or supplements/medications that your body absorbs may increase or decrease.
If you are unsure about whether or not AHCC® may potentially interact with any medications or supplements you are already taking, you may consult a healthcare professional, and inquire whether or not any medications or supplements you are taking are metabolized via the “P450 2D6” pathway. If not, it is highly unlikely that AHCC® will interfere.
Because AHCC® is made from shiitake mushroom extract, people with mushroom allergies may also be unsure of whether or not they can take AHCC®. People with mushroom allergies are typically allergic to the spores of the mushroom, which is similar to how people with spring allergies are allergic to the pollen of germinating trees.
AHCC® is made from the mycelia of the mushroom, which usually does not contain any mushroom spores. Furthermore, the complex production process of AHCC® breaks down most of the heavy molecules and compounds in shiitake mushrooms into simpler molecules, with the goal of being better absorbed by the body.
Some nutritional supplements have the possibility of losing their effectiveness over time. However, as studied in previous AHCC® placebo-controlled scientific trials, patients who used AHCC® regularly over a 10-year period had consistent and significant improvement when compared to the placebo group, which does not show any signs of AHCC® losing effectiveness.*
As always, if you are unsure of whether or not AHCC® is right for you, you should contact a healthcare professional who can help you make the best decision for yourself!
Let AHCC® Help You!
As one of the world’s most promising and highly-researched nutritional supplements for the immune system, AHCC® is making strides in the world of natural supplement products.* It is the premier choice for over 1,000 health facilities across the world.
If you are looking to give your immune system the support it needs to keep you feeling great and on your feet, consider adding AHCC® to your daily intake!*
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664515/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6435520/
