Evidence supporting the use of: AHCC
For the health condition: Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) is a proprietary extract derived from the mycelia of shiitake mushrooms and other species of Basidiomycetes. Its use as an adjunct to chemotherapy is primarily supported by preclinical studies, some clinical trials, and a plausible mechanism of immune modulation. Several small-scale human studies and animal experiments suggest that AHCC may help reduce certain chemotherapy side effects—such as immunosuppression, fatigue, and infection risk—by enhancing natural killer (NK) cell activity, modulating cytokine production, and supporting overall immune function. A few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in cancer patients have reported improvements in immune markers and reductions in treatment-associated symptoms, though these studies often have limitations such as small sample sizes and lack of blinding. Systematic reviews of AHCC caution that while preliminary data are promising, high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are lacking, and there is insufficient evidence to recommend AHCC as a standard adjunct to chemotherapy. Traditional use of AHCC is limited, as it is a modern, proprietary compound rather than a historical remedy. Thus, while there is some scientific basis for its use in reducing chemotherapy side effects, the quality and quantity of evidence are modest, warranting a cautious and evidence-based approach.
More about AHCC
More about Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Other ingredients used for Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acidAcemannan
AHCC
Alkylglycerols
Aloe vera
Alpha Glucans
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
anthocyanins
Antrodia camphorata
astaxanthin
astragalus
Baikal Skullcap
BCAA
benzyl isothiocyanate
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
Boswellic Acid
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
caryophyllene
chamomile
chlorella
Clostridium butyricum
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coix
colostrum
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
dithiolthiones
ergothioneine
fish oil
folinic acid
fucoidan
ginger
Glutamine
Glutathione
grape
green tea
Haematococcus pluvialis
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
Honokiol
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Hyphomycetes
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-carnosine
L-cysteine
L-glutamine
L-glutathione
L-glycine
L-taurine
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactoferrin
lactoglobulin
Lentinan
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
lion's mane
luteolin
Marine lipid
Matcha
Melatonin
Mesima
Methylselenocysteine
Milk Protein
Milk thistle
Mistletoe
Mushroom
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Oldenlandia diffusa
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peptides
Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)
phytocannabinoids
polysaccharides
pomegranate
probiotics
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
selenium
Selenomethionine
shiitake mushroom
Silychristin
soy isoflavones
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulforaphane
Thymidine
Thymoquinone
tributyrin
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Typhonium flagelliforme
Verbascoside
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
Whey protein
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by AHCC
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAutoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Colds (antiviral)
Epstein Barr Virus
Fatigue
Hepatitis
Herpes
Infection
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
