Got a Question about AHCC? Check out our FAQs!
We’ll be the first to admit that there is a lot of information and detail in The Patient’s Guide to AHCC. This is exactly why we wrote Chapter 8 as a question and answer section, so that you can find the answers you need to learn more about AHCC.
Because this chapter contains some key questions, we won’t give you a super detailed summary here. Instead we suggest you to turn to page 67 of The Patient’s Guide to AHCC and read the questions and answers included there.
Here we will highlight a few of the most common questions asked, questions that you might even be wondering about yourself.
A: AHCC’s potent antioxidant properties may provide the immune system boost that many people need in today’s high-powered, overly stressed world. For individuals who are generally in good health and who want to make an effort to support their immune system, one to three grams of AHCC per day is typically sufficient and recommended as an “insurance policy” against unexpected and unwelcome bacteria, viruses, environmental toxins and other assaults to the immune system.
Q:Besides AHCC, are there other natural immune system boosters?
A: Although many other nutritional and herbal supplements are used to boost the immune system, AHCC has probably undergone more intensive research than all of them. However, others to consider include astragalus, echinacea, flavonoids (plant compounds such as quercetin and catechins, which are commonly found in green tea), garlic, goldenseal, maitake (a Chinese mushroom), probiotics (beneficial bacteria), reishi (another Chinese mushroom), vitamins C, D and E as well as zinc. Before taking these and any other supplements, it is important to consult a knowledgeable healthcare professional.
Q: If AHCC is made from mushrooms, why can’t I just eat mushrooms and get the same benefits?
A: Although whole mushrooms do possess many beneficial nutrients, AHCC is the product of special processing and culturing of selected mushrooms to produce a functional food that has a unique constituent called acetylated alpha-glucan. Alpha-glucan has a low molecular weight that makes it easy for the body to digest and absorb. These unique components also have a powerful immune-stimulating action not found in ordinary mushrooms, or in other mushrooms products.
Q: If I am allergic to mushrooms can I take AHCC?
A: Allergies to mushrooms are most often associated with exposure to mushroom spores. These spores originate in the top of the mushroom, called the fruiting body. However, AHCC is derived from the mycelia, or the root of the mushroom, which does not contain spores. In addition, as part of the manufacturing process, the raw material is subjected to a fermentation process that breaks down the high molecular weight molecules that are very tough to digest, into low molecular weight compounds. This process further lowers any allergenic potential. Many people who believe they are allergic to mushrooms take AHCC successfully. However, if you are concerned, please check with a healthcare professional that specializes in natural products or begin taking AHCC very slowly.
Q: Where can I get more information about AHCC?
A: The AHCC Research Association’s website, www.ahccresearch.com, provides information about the functional food, including research articles, presented studies and general information about AHCC.
We hope that you’ve found our recent blog posts about The Patient’s Guide to AHCC to be useful and helpful. Here at the AHCC Research Association, we want you to know everything there is to know about AHCC. If you haven’t yet, we urge you to download The Patient’s Guide to AHCC and take the time to read it thoroughly. Here’s to good health and a strong immune system!