AHCC Boosts Influenza Immune Response

Philadelphia, PA - Researchers at Drexel University’s Department of Bioscience & Biotechnology successfully demonstrated an increased immune response to influenza infection in mice. The mice were given the all natural supplement AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound), a hybridized mushroom extract.

This original research, conducted by immunologists Drs. Elizabeth Gardner, Barry Ritz & colleagues, appears in Journal of Nutrition, November, 2006. The supplement appears to boost the immune response to influenza, in particular, a vital part of the immune system called Natural Killer (NK) cells. This finding is of critical importance because an immediate immune response from NK cells is responsible for lessening both the duration and the severity of the influenza infection.

Though more than 32 studies have already been published, Drexel’s is the first to evaluate AHCC in the context of influenza, demonstrating its efficacy in protecting against the flu’s consequences: reducing the rate of infection, reducing the severity of infection, both in terms of symptoms and damage to lungs, speeding the rate of recovery and reducing the duration of illness, and dramatically reducing the fatal consequences.

With the current increase in the threat of influenza viruses, studies showing the decrease in protection from flu shots, and the recent controversy about anti-flu drugs, Drexel’s good news about AHCC couldn’t come at a better time.

Drexel’s Study Shows Increasing Natural Killer Cells with AHCC Helps Fight the Flu

NK cells are the immune system’s first line of defense against virus, hunting the germs down before they have the ability to spread and affect overall health. NK cell response is ultimately responsible for stopping the progression of influenza infection and helping to clear the infection. In this study, AHCC appears to increase NK cell activity immediately, and help achieve peak NK cell activity within 48 hours.

Source

Ritz BW, Nogusa S, Ackerman EA, Gardner EM. Supplementation with active hexose correlated compound increases the innate immune response of young mice to primary influenza infection. J Nutr. 2006 Nov;136(11):2868-73. PMID: 17056815

Key concepts: AHCC, Active Hexose Correlated Compound, ImmPower, Immune response, influenza