Active Hectose Correlated Compound (AHCC)
The World’s Most Researched Immune Supplement
1. Introduction
What is AHCC?
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Naturally-derived complex compound
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Created by reacting specific enzymes with
Several subspecies of hybridized medicinal mushrooms
Unique compound formed through proprietary cultivation method and a
patented manufacturing process
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Not a mushroom complex
Cannot be duplicated and is not found in typical mushrooms
Low molecular of 5,000 Daltons as compared to other immune ingredients
(rice bran, beta-glucans and standard mushroom extracts are usually ~200,000 Daltons)
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Biological response modifier with strong immuno-modulating properties
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Shown in scientific research to increase activity of white blood cells
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White blood cells protect against & destroy abnormal cells (viruses, bacteria, parasites)
Increased activity of Natural Killer (NK), B, B Helper, Killer T, Lymphokine Activated Killer
(LAK) cells, Macrophage and Cytokines
AHCC Production Facility
Sapporo, Japan
The Case for AHCC
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Supported by over 100 studies
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Over 4,000 patients has been involved in clinical trials
Researched by over 30 prestigious institutions worldwide
New studies presented annually at the AHCC Research Symposium
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Used in over 700 clinics worldwide
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Over 17 years of use in Japan and 6 years in the U.S.
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Countless anecdotal evidence
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#1 Selling Immune Supplement in Japan
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Subject of more than 10 books in Japan
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Endorsement of hundreds of physicians world-wide
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Won multiple recognitions including Nutracon Best Product (2002)
Books on AHCC
AHCC Research in the U.S.
UT, Anderson Cancer Center
UC, Davis Cancer Center
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Harvard)
Faulkner Hospital (Harvard)
Columbia Presbyterian (Holistic Urology)
Yale School of Medicine, Rheumatology
SUNY Binghamton, Biological Sciences
UT Houston Medical, Surgery
Drexel University, Bioscience and Biotechnology
Annual Research Symposium
2. Science and Research behind AHCC
The Immune System - Physiology
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Complicated series of cells that include:
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Natural killer (NK-cells)
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Cytokines
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Macrophages
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Interleukins
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T and B cells
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Mast cells
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Substances they release
• Histamines
• Leukotrienes
• Others
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Modern science still has not yet figured it all out
Misfiring of the Immune System
• Assault on the immune systems causes:
• Decreased functioning of the natural killer (NK) cells
• Decreased functioning of the T-cells and macrophages
• Suppression of IL-2
• Overproduction of IL-6 and other inflammatory cytokines
• Long-term impact: chronic illness
• The immune system plays a key part in human health
and must be a key focus of preventative medicine
Natural Killer Cells
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Serves a dual function
• Cytotoxic destroyer
• Immuno-regulator
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Sentinel cells – first line of defense against invading pathogens (viruses,
bacteria, cancer cells)
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Critical Role of NK cells
• Cancer sells are produced continuously in the body
• NK cells must remove them before they multiply
Proper functioning of NK cells is critical to human health
AHCC and NK Cells
• Increases NK cell activity by 300-fold
• Stimulates T-cells
• Stimulates Macrophages
• Stimulates Cytokines
• Appears to be able to stimulate and modulate
• Works on both the macrophages and the cytokines
• Valuable links and network messengers
• Can work in auto-immune disorders because it does not overstimulate the immune system
• Built in dampening system
• Can be taken continuously
• Does not need to be stopped like other immune-enhancing supplements
Selected Published Research
Document Title
Source
Supplementation with active hexose correlated compound increases the innate immune response of
young mice to primary influenza infection
Journal of Nutrition. Vol. 136(11), p 2868-73
Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated with functional
foods: a prospective cohort study
Journal of Hepatology, vol. 37/1,pp 78-86
Active hexose correlated compound enhances resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in mice
in the hindlimb-unloading model of spaceflight conditions
Journal of Applied Physiology
Immune System Enhancer Helps Fight Cancer
Whole Foods Magazine
Winning The Battle Against Cancer Therapy Side Effects
Whole Foods Magazine
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Natural Killer Cells
Immune Support
Treatment Of Immune Dysfunction From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder And Chronic Disease With Townsend Letter For Doctors
AHCC, pp68-72
Reversing Immunosenescence: The Key To Anti-Aging?
International Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine
NK-Immunomodulation by Active Hemicellulose Compound (AHCC) in17 Cancer Patients
2nd Meeting of the Society for Natural Immunity.
Taormina, Italy
Enhancement of NK Cell Activity in Cancer Patients by Active Hemicellulose Compound (AHCC)
Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment
Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Active Hemicellulose Compound (AHCC) Enhances NK Cell Activity of Aged Mice in Vivo
Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment
Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Selected Published Research
Document Title
Source
Immunomodulatory and Anticancer Effects of Active Hemicellulose Compound (AHCC)
Int. J. Immunotherapy X1(1) 23-28
Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) Improves Immunological Parameters And
Performance Status of Patients with Solid Tumors
Biotherapy 2000 14(3) 303-309
Reduction of Side Effects of Anticancer Drugs by Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)
Proceedings of the American Association for
Cancer Research. Volume 40
AHCC on Immobilization Stress in the Rat: Beneficial Effects of Active Hexose Correlated
Compound
Journal of Medical Sciences p. 559 28(1): 559 ~
565
Preventive Effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) on Oxidative Stress Induced by Dokkyo Journal of Medical Sciences 28(2-3).
Ferric Nitrilotriacetate in the Rat
745~752
Preventive Effects of AHCC on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Injury in Mice
Natural Medicine 51 (4), 310-315
Protective Effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) on the Onset of Diabetes
Induced by Streptozotocin in the Rat
Biomedical Research 20 (3) 145-152
Prophylactic Efficacy of a Basidiomycetes Preparation AHCC against Lethal Opportunistic
Infections in Mice
Yakugaku Zasshi, 120(8),715-719
Suppressive Effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) On Thymic Apoptosis Induced
by Dexamethasone in the Rat
Endocrine Regulations, Vol. 34, 181-188
AHCC and Liver Disease
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Non-drug treatment of choice in Japan for:
• Hepatitis C
• 10th leading cause of death in the US
• Clinically proven to Reduce Viral Load (measure of effectiveness) by up to
85%
• Dose recommendations of 6g/day in divided doses
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• uncommon cancer in the US
• Quite common around the world
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Can improve detoxification by inducing P450 enzymes and inhibiting phase II
enzymes
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Protects liver from chemical induced injuries such as
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overdose of medications ▪ anti-inflammatory meds
statin drugs
▪ over-consumption of alcohol
Studies show:
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Extension of life
Improvement in quality of life
The AHCC Liver Study
• Landmark human study
• Post-surgical liver cancer patients taking AHCC
• Showed a 14% higher rate of survival than those in
the placebo group
• Only 49% of the patients in the AHCC group had
recurrence of cancer compared to 67% in the control
group.
AHCC and Immuno-senescence
• New term which has become very relevant
• Describes the deterioration of our immune system that
occurs naturally as we age
• Increased risk of developing autoimmune disorders
• Increase frequency of infections (Pneumonia is still the #1 cause
of death for the elderly in the US)
• Increased frequency of non-infectious diseases such as atrial
fibrillation, diabetes, arthritis & high blood pressure
• But it can be delayed and this should be a key focus of
modern preventative medicine
AHCC Cancer-Related Research
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Used in Asia and the U.S. to reduce side-effects of chemotherapy
• Reduce toxicity
• Improve quality of life
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Research supports the following modes of action:
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Increases Tumor Necrosis Factor
Increases Gamma Interferon
Increases IL-12 (all decrease when undergoing chemotherapy)
Decreases circulating level of IAP (Immuno-suppressive acidic protein)
Decreases circulating level of IAP and TGF-B (tumor growth factor–
Beta)
Multiple Studies in Japan for this Indication
• On formulary in over 700 hospitals as adjunct to Chemotherapy and
Radiation Therapy
• Increasingly used in the U.S. with very positive reported results
Other Uses of AHCC in Clinical Practice
Modulation of the cytokine
defense mechanism
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Allergies
Asthma
Chronic Sinusitis
Eczema
Fibromyalgia
Hives
Rashes
Seasonal Disorders
Raise CD-4 counts an important
immune system cellular component
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Post-Chemotherapy
HIV
Lyme Disease
Chronic Fatigue
Osteoarthritis
Cold and Flu Prevention
Cold and Flu Treatment
“AHCC should be used as a daily supplement for the immune system,
alongside a multivitamin”
Why AHCC is Compelling to Physicians
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Offers an effective balance between high levels of stimulation of
the NK cell mediated pathways
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Documented clinical and basic science research at prestigious
hospitals around the world
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Documented efficacy studies
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Significant anecdotal evidence / positive response of patients
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Documented safety studies
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No toxicity
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Very few and rare side-effects
Usage and Dosage
• Therapeutically
• Patients with highly comprised immune systems
• Recommended therapeutic dose: 3g daily
• Preventatively
• Health-conscious adults seeking to heighten their immune activity
• Recommended preventative/therapeutic does 500mg – 1g daily
Summary
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Biological Response Modifier with strong immuno-modulating properties
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Extensive clinical research
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Strong safety data
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Significant clinical usage
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Recommended for patients with:
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Immune disorders
Liver disease
Cancer
Undergoing chemotherapy
Chronic illnesses
Illnesses directly caused by inflammation
Important for prevention of lifestyle diseases
3. AHCC in Retail
AHCC Unique Selling Propositions
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Unparalleled research
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over 100 studies
over 4,000 patients
done by the world’s most universities
Broad adoption in Asia
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#1 Selling Immune Supplement in Japan
Used in over 700 clinics worldwide
Widely used by mainstream physicians in Asia and the U.S.
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High bioavailability due to low molecular weight, significantly
lower than other immune supplements (5,000 Da vs. 200,000 Da)
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Definitive mode of action: targeting Natural Killer and other white
blood cells.
Retailer FAQ’s
Who is the target customer?
• Anyone with a weakened immune system
• Healthy individuals seeking immune enhancement
How is AHCC different from other mushrooms and arabinoxylan (MGN-3)?
• Greater bio-availability due to low molecular weight
• Unique compound with unique properties, not a mushroom complex or extract
How should I position AHCC to my customers?
• The most researched product in the immune category
• Used in over 700 clinics worldwide
• The #1 immune supplement in Japan, taken daily along a multivitamin
What is recommended dosage of AHCC?
• 500 mg to 1 gram/day - maintenance
• 3 grams/day - therapeutic
Is AHCC safe for children and pets?
• Yes, dose based on body weight