Surely eating a diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains help support the body’s immunity, but this time of year fresh produce are more difficult to come by and many people gravitate towards more comfort foods: macaroni & cheese and turkey with stuffing-which can leave gaps in our nutrient deficient diets.
Dietary supplements
Such as herbal, herbal teas and formulas can be helpful in providing nutrients that may support our inborn ability to heal and help boost or balance our immune system. But with such a wide variety of dietary supplements to select from, I chose to concentrate on a single ingredient which has established itself as a nutritional supplement with the ability to boost the immune system.
AHCC
Active Hexose Correlated Compound is a nutritional supplement with immunomodular results and over the past ten years animal and human studies have shown its effects on immune responses to various infections and demonstrated its immunostimulatory advantages. AHCC is an extract of Lentinula edodes of the basidiomycete family of fungi full of alpha glucans-a fermented noodle extract-that comprises oligosaccharides, amino acids, lipids and minerals.
The key active ingredient (74 percent ) of AHCC is oligosaccharides and the glucans are believed to supply a carbohydrate to stimulate the immune reaction. AHCC is a natural chemical which also has the capacity to be utilised as an immunoenhancer once the immune system is compromised and has been demonstrated to modulate protective immune responses to a broad selection of serious infections, including influenza.
Good to know
It has also been shown to enhance the sensation of well-being in patients experiencing multiple disorders. As we age our innate and adaptive immunity decreases drastically, therefore making us more vulnerable to ailments we come into contact with. This is where supplementation with an immunity boosting ingredient could be beneficial because it could help support the body’s innate ability to resist disease and bring our immune system back to a balanced condition. AHCC is also an antioxidant, which is very beneficial as we age.
Safety and Dosage
Multiple security studies have demonstrated that even at high doses well above those typically used in lab studies, AHCC revealed no significant abnormalities in laboratory parameters and adverse effects were minimal. Though there’s insufficient research to determine a normal dosage; many studies used 3g per day; typically administered in 1000mg doses twice per day (as indicated on the label of nearly all AHCC products); nevertheless, doses of 1000mg once daily have been proven to promote a feeling of well-being.
Carefully read the label to ascertain what dosage would be helpful for you. Given the huge quantity of accumulating research and security studies, AHCC might be a excellent addition to your nutritional regime to help support your immune function during the cold and flu season. As always, make sure you talk with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any nutritional supplement regime, particularly if you’re being monitored for any health condition or on drugs.