* Active Hexose Correlated Compound * Woodland Health Series * Herbs & Botanicals * Millions Sold The unique mushroom-based immune regulating nutrient supported by over 20 human studies and demonstrated to help patients with cancer, liver disease, hepatitis, infections and numerous chronic conditions as well as healthy people seeking to defend their bodies from the aging of the immune system and during times of heightened risk of viruses and infection. The Patient"s Guide to AHCC Discover the health benefits of AHCC, a Japanese medicinal mushroom immune regulator that can help: * Provide nutritional support to cancer patients and survivors * Reduce chemotherapy and drug side effects * Manage viral loads of hepatitis patients * Enhance energy for those with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia * Provide anti-inflammatory benefits by helping balance the immune system * Reduce the effects of immunosenescence — natural age-related deterioration of the immune system * Protect healthy individuals during the cold-and-flu season and in high risk locations such as hospitals and airplanes With millions of copies sold, woodland Health Series booklets provide valuable information to help you make the best choices for optimal health. Nearly 200 Woodland Health Series titles are currently available. Categories include: Herbs and Botanicals; Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements; Natural Treatments; and Health Issues. Contents Introduction ........................... 7 Chapter 1 AHCC: A Most Remarkable Mushroom ........................... 9 Birth of a Remarkable Mushroom Product ...........................9 AHCC: Much More Than a Fungus ........................... 10 "Radical" Ideas about Infections and Disease ...........................12 AHCC and Inflammation ........................... 13 AHCC as Antioxidant ........................... 14 AHCC as Immunomodulator ........................... 15 How AHCC is Studied ...........................16 Wrap-Up ........................... 16 Chapter 2 Introducing Your Immune System ........................... 17 Components of the Immune System ........................... 18 Immune System: A Duet ........................... 21 AHCC and Your Immune System ........................... 22 How AHCC Strengthens the Immune System ........................... 22 AHCC and Older Adults ........................... 24 Wrap-Up ........................... 25 Chapter 3 Colds, Flu and Other Infections ........................... 26 Fighting Infections ........................... 26 Cold and Flu ........................... 27 The Studies ........................... 28 West Nile Virus ........................... 29 AHCC and "Superbug" Bacterial Infections ........................... 30 Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections ........................... 31 MRSA ........................... 32 Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections ........................... 32 AHCC Fights Fungal Infections ........................... 33 Wrap-Up ........................... 34 Chapter 4 AHCC and Cancer ...........................35 Traditional Cancer Treatments ........................... 36 Cancer Stages and Categories ........................... 37 Immunotherapy, BRMs and AHCC ........................... 39 AHCC and Immune Surveillance ........................... 41 AHCC"s Other Anticancer Activities ........................... 42 AHCC and Survival from Cancer ........................... 43 AHCC and Cancer Studies ........................... 43 Liver Cancer and AHCC ........................... 44 Gastrointestinal Cancers ........................... 46 Other Cancers ........................... 47 Wrap-Up ........................... 47 Chapter 5 AHCC and Chemotherapy ........................... 48 Hair Loss ........................... 49 Nausea and Vomiting ........................... 50 Impaired Liver and Spleen Function ........................... 50 Myelosuppression ........................... 51 Loss of Appetite ........................... 53 Is AHCC Safe to Use with Chemotherapy? ........................... 53 Wrap-Up ........................... 53 Chapter 6 Other Chronic Disease ........................... 55 Diabetes ........................... 55 Liver Diseases ........................... 57 Cardiovascular Disease ........................... 59 Other Conditions ........................... 60 Wrap-Up ........................... 61 Chapter 7 Using AHCC ........................... 62 Taking AHCC ........................... 62 Quality and Safety ........................... 63 Taking AHCC with Other Medications ........................... 64 Natural Ways to Enhance Your Immune System ........................... 64 Chapter 8 Q&A ........................... 67 References ........................... 70 Glossary ........................... 74 Woodland Publishing ISBN: 978-1-58054-212-8