Active hexose correlated compound

Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is an alpha-glucan (=starch) 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 an alternative medicine in Japan.

AHCC is a group of chemicals taken from fungus. These include beta-glucan (β-glucan) and acetylated α-glucan.

AHCC is used in Japan as a supplement. 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".

All of the research into AHCC has been funded by the manufacturer or includes employees of the manufacturer, which complicates the discussion of currently available results – independent research is needed to verify them. The mechanism of action of AHCC is poorly understood and there is little known about its safety. As of 2011^[update]clinical research into AHCC has been of poor quality: there are no large-scale studies or randomized controlled trials.

Laboratory research suggests AHCC may have immunostimulatory effects.

AHCC has been proposed as a treatment for cancer, but research into its effectiveness has produced only uncertain and inconclusive evidence. Detailed research is needed into the pharmacology of AHCC before any recommendation of its use as an adjuvant therapy can be made.

Early research suggests that taking AHCC daily for 6 months does not benefit people with hepatitis C.

...
Wikipedia