Does the AHCC supplement work?

Does the AHCC supplement work?

Not proven. People take AHCC to help their immune system, fight infections or cancer, and support the liver. Memorial Sloan Kettering, a US cancer centre, says there isn’t enough research to say that it works.

The trials in people are small. Some are promising, one was clearly negative, and most measure blood markers rather than illness.

So treat AHCC as a promising idea, not a fix. If you want to try it, check your medicines first (see the safety table below).

What is AHCC and how much do people take?

AHCC stands for active hexose correlated compound. It’s an extract from the root-like threads (mycelia) of shiitake mushrooms, not the part you cook. So it is not the same as eating shiitake.

There’s no official dose. The trials of benefit used 1 g or 3 g a day. The biggest HPV trial used 3 g once a day on an empty stomach for 6 months.

Comparing mushroom products? See what mushroom supplements can and can’t do.

Does AHCC clear HPV?

It might help. In a 2022 trial, 50 women over 30 had high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus, a common virus; some types can cause cervical cancer) that had lasted more than 2 years. Half took AHCC and half took a dummy pill. 41 finished.

The detail is size. It’s one trial, with 22 women on AHCC, from one research team. Before 2014, the lead author had lab research grants from the maker. MSK says AHCC may benefit people with HPV that won’t clear, and more research is needed.

Also, the body usually clears HPV within 2 years on its own. The NHS says there’s no treatment for the infection itself. Screening helps protect you against cervical cancer.

Taking AHCC? Still go to every screening and colposcopy you’re offered.

Does AHCC boost your immune system?

It changes some blood markers. Whether that means fewer colds is unknown.

In 21 healthy adults, 3 g a day for 4 weeks raised the number of dendritic cells, a type of immune cell. It didn’t change the activity of natural killer cells, which attack infected cells.

In 30 healthy adults given a flu jab, those taking 3 g a day made more antibodies to flu B. Neither trial counted infections.

Keep getting ill? See what an immune system blood test can show.

Is AHCC safe?

It seems well tolerated short term. In 26 healthy adults taking 9 g a day for 14 days, about 1 in 5 had mild, short-lived side effects. These included feeling sick, diarrhoea, bloating, headache, tiredness and foot cramps. 2 people stopped because of nausea. Blood tests stayed normal.

The bigger risk is your other medicines. In lab tests, AHCC boosted a liver enzyme that breaks some drugs down.

Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber. No source we found covers AHCC in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Mushroom extracts can also affect liver results. See mushroom supplements and liver tests and herbal supplements and the liver.

When to speak to a GP

HPV does not usually cause symptoms, and there’s no blood test for it. See a GP or clinic if:

• You have vaginal bleeding that’s unusual for you: during or after sex, between periods, after the menopause, or heavier periods.
• You have changes to discharge, pain during sex, or pain in your lower back, pelvis or lower tummy. These can be signs of cervical cancer.
• You have lumps or growths around your vagina, penis or anus, itching or bleeding there, a change in how you pee that does not go away, or a partner with genital warts. The NHS says to go to a sexual health clinic.
• Screening found HPV and abnormal cells. Go to the colposcopy you’re offered.
• You’re on cancer treatment, ondansetron, letrozole or anastrozole and want to try AHCC. Talk to your doctor first.

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