Mushroom Extract Increases Immunity

PHILADELPHIA—Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), a natural mushroom extract, boosts natural killer (NK) cell activity, improves survival and reduces the severity of influenza infection in young mice. In the study, published in the Journal of Nutrition (138: 2868-2873, 2006), young mice were supplemented with 1 g AHCC per kg of body weight daily, from one week prior to and throughout infection with influenza A (H1N1, PRB).

AHCC increased NK activity in lungs and spleen. Supplementation increased the percentage (P < 0.05) and number (PC 0.01) of NK cells in the lung and reduced the infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages compared with controls (P < 0.01). Researchers suggest bolstering innate immunity with dietary bioactives may be one avenue for improving the immune response to primary flu infection