What is it used for?
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 2].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 3].
What this guide covers
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant on the label.
For products in granule form, refer to the “AHCC Extract - Granule” reference.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
The acceptable dosage form is limited to powder.
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Not to exceed 3.6 grams of AHCC extract (powder), per day [Source note 4].
How is it used?
Mix product well in at least 240 milliliters of liquid (e.g., water, milk, fruit juice or similar aqueous beverage) immediately before consumption.
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
Stop use if symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea occur [Source note 5].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHCC¹ | AHCC | Lentinula edodes | Cultured mycelium | Extract |
References: Proper name: Spierings et al. 2007, Matsui et al. 2002; Common name: Spierings et al. 2007, Matsui et al. 2002; Source information: Fujii et al. 2011, Sumiyoshi et al. 2010.
¹AHCC is a specific standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia. See 'Specifications' section for identity testing.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
AHCC® is a specific standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia, and as such, although it has in the past been referred to in the literature as ‘active hexose correlated compound’, AHCC is not a single compound but contains several constituents including the fraction called ‘active hexose correlated compound’. AHCC® should be identity-tested to confirm its authenticity.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- October 25, 2024
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.