Tag: Alpha glucans

While often overshadowed by beta-glucans, alpha-glucans are a primary source of energy for the human body. Found in many common starchy foods, these polysaccharides are crucial for fueling daily physical and cognitive functions.

With the increasing popularity of medicinal fungi, many people confuse specific mushroom extracts like AHCC with general mushroom complex supplements. Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is not the same as a generic mushroom complex; it is a proprietary, standardized extract derived from the mycelia of a single mushroom species, unlike complexes that blend multiple types of mushrooms.

Since its development in Japan in 1986, AHCC has been manufactured exclusively by Amino Up Co., Ltd. through a proprietary, multi-stage industrial process. This fact makes attempting to replicate Active Hexose Correlated Compound at home not only impossible but also potentially risky, as it lacks the specific strains and sterile lab conditions required.

Over 700 clinics and hospitals in Japan use AHCC, an immune-modulating supplement derived from the mycelia of the shiitake mushroom. This fact immediately clarifies that while AHCC is sourced from shiitake, they are not the same thing, but rather a processed extract with unique properties.

While AHCC is a popular nutritional supplement, many people wonder if AHCC can be found in common foods. AHCC is a proprietary extract, meaning it is not a substance that exists naturally in significant quantities within any single, unfermented food source. Instead, it is specifically manufactured through a unique process involving the mycelia of certain basidiomycete mushrooms, particularly shiitake.

According to the manufacturer and extensive research, Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is a proprietary extract made from the mycelia (root-like structures) of several mushroom species, including shiitake. This fact immediately clarifies the common misconception: AHCC is not simply the same as the shiitake mushroom itself, but rather a highly refined product derived from it through a patented process.