Study to evaluate ‘Active Hexose Correlated Compound’ and the swine flu virus

Jun 1 2009

A study evaluating the effect of AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) on supporting the immune system in response to the swine flu virus will be conducted at the Southern China Agricultural University, one of the few research centers in China that have been approved to conduct studies on highly infectious diseases such as the swine flu. This controlled study will examine the effects of AHCC when supplemented to a group of mice infected with the virus.

Two years ago, following the avian flu outbreak, the same university conducted a study in mice on the effect of AHCC on the bird flu (H5N1) virus. The findings, published in the Japanese Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Vol. 4, (2007), No. 1 pp. 37-40), demonstrated that AHCC enhanced host resistance against bird flu. Other papers published in peer-reviewed journals include studies on AHCC and the common influenza (H1N1), the West Nile Virus and hospital-borne infections including MRSA.

"The animal study published by my group in the recent issue of Journal of Nutrition suggested that dietary supplementation with AHCC may be immunotherapeutic for the West-Nile Virus potentially susceptible populations." said Tian Wang, Assistant Professor at the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. "So in light of our findings and similar conclusions of Drexel University's study on influenza, I think that a study on AHCC and the swine flu is very timely and likely to yield useful information on the value of AHCC in combating this virus".

Published human clinical studies have shown that AHCC activates NK cells and DC Cells, which are the body's frontline defense against viruses and infections. A recent study at the Yale Medical School also showed that AHCC increases the production of cytokines which act as chemical messengers that activate the immune system when the body comes under attack.

"AHCC is the only natural compound that I know of which has been studied not only for influenza but also for several other important virus strains." said Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH of the Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine. "The combination of the animal research on those specific strains and the significant clinical data on the efficacy of AHCC in humans makes this compound a very compelling target for further research specifically against the swine flu."

What is AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound)?

AHCC is a natural compound derived from the hybridization of several subspecies of medicinal mushroom. AHCC is used by hundreds of healthcare facilities around the world and by hospitals as a part of a standard regimen for incoming patients to reduce the risk of hospital infections. AHCC is supported by more than 20 studies published in major peer-reviewed medical journals (key term "active hexose correlated compound" at www.PubMed.org).