The best AHCC supplement for HPV is the Quality of Life Kinoko Platinum AHCC. It’s our choice for the best AHCC supplement for HPV because of the quality of the ingredients, customer reviews, and company reputation. It’s used by over 1,000 healthcare clinics worldwide, and the mushroom extract is high in beta-glucans and alpha-glucans.
What Is AHCC?
Active Hexose Correlated Compound, or AHCC, is a group of fungi-derived chemicals. The chemicals are taken primarily from mushrooms and then turned into a supplement.
As a supplement, AHCC is used to treat cancer, improve liver function, and treat infections.
Specifically, it’s a standardized extract of cultured shiitake or Lentinula edodes mycelia. There is a combination of nutrients absorbed through a liquid culture, including:
- Oligosaccharides
- Amino acids
- Minerals
The product is thought to modulate your immune cells and the function of your immune system. This supplement may positively affect your natural killer and T cells, protecting you from infections and malignancies.
Medicinal mushrooms may seem recently popularized, but they’ve been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine.
There are different theories as to why mushrooms positively affect the immune system. It could be due to their bioactive polysaccharides like beta-glucan or the activation of certain cells.
Understanding HPV
Almost everyone gets human papillomavirus or HPV at some point, and more than 42 million people in America are thought to have an infection that causes the disease. Around 9 out of 10 of these infections go away on their own within two years, but some last longer and can cause cancer.
If your immune system isn’t strong enough or is compromised because of your diet, lack of sleep, age, or stress, it can be harder for your body to clear HPV.
Cancers caused by HPV include:
- Cervix
- Vagina
- Vulva
- Penis
- Anus
- Back of the throat
Each year, around 36,000 cancer cases are attributed to HPV in men and women.
In women, cervical dysplasia may be diagnosed through a pap smear and biopsy.
Cervical dysplasia means you have abnormal precancerous cells around your cervix, the lower part of your uterus.
You don’t have cervical cancer if you have dysplasia, but these abnormal cells can lead to cancer.
HPV is the main cause of cervical dysplasia.
After cervical dysplasia is diagnosed via a biopsy, it can be described as mild, moderate, or severe.
There have been several studies that show that since AHCC is effective at clearing persistent HPV, it can be extremely helpful for cervical dysplasia as well.
Right now, the only conventional treatments for cervical dysplasia are early detection followed by cryotherapy, surgical excision, or loop electrosurgical excisional procedures. These have a high initial response rate, but as much as 80% of people who undergo these procedures will have lesions reoccur.
The Effects of AHCC on Natural Killer Cells
Natural killer cells, or NK cells, are lymphocytes that are the body’s first line of defense against infections by viruses. They are also thought to protect against malignancies.
A deficiency in NK cells, or impaired function of these cells, is linked to a higher risk of infection and malignancies in humans and animals.
Oral AHCC supplementation can increase the percentage of NK cells and their function.
T Cell Response
Your T cells are part of your adaptive immune system, which is a big part of protecting you from microorganisms and malignancies. Mushroom extracts promote an immune response to invaders and tumors by changing your T cell’s function.
Data and research support the ability of an AHCC supplement to change T cell immunity partially by activating innate immune cells that can promote T cell activation.
Health Benefits of AHCC
- Cancer: Some evidence suggests the benefits of taking this mushroom-derived supplement for cancer.
- Chemotherapy side effects: Some studies show this supplement can reduce side effects related to chemotherapy.
- Antiviral: Some small animal and human studies have found benefits in reducing flu cases’ severity and frequency.
The dose of AHCC used most often ranges from three to six grams a day.
Using AHCC to Treat HPV
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a chronic infection linked to a raised risk of cervical and other types of cancer.
One of the most well-studied benefits of AHCC is that it can help treat and clear HPV infections.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Oncology found that using AHCC daily supports the immune system to clear HPV infections. The study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. A grant from the National Institutes of Health supported it.
The study examined women with a two-year history of persistent and high-risk HPV. The treatment group received AHCC and a placebo for six months. The placebo group received the placebo for 12 months.
In the treatment group, almost 64% became HPV-negative.
It’s especially exciting because currently, there’s no effective treatment for persistent HPV except watchful waiting.
This study happens to be one of the newest. In other studies, similar results have been found. For example, in one pilot study, half of the women cleared their persistent HPV infections within three to six months after taking 3 grams of AHCC daily. They took on it on an empty stomach, which is incredibly important for effectiveness.
Another pilot study found similar responses.
Our Choice for the Best AHCC Supplement for HPV
I have a favorite AHCC supplement, and I also have a runner-up.
Best AHCC Supplement for HPV—Top Pick
My top pick for the best overall AHCC supplement, not only for HPV but for general health and wellness, is the AHCC Kinko Platinum product from Quality of Life.
I like that this supplement is well-researched and easily absorbed. It’s great for the immune system, and you take a three-gram dose daily to ensure your cells are supported.
In particular, reasons I say this is the best AHCC supplement for HPV include:
- It is an optimal daily three-gram dose if you take four caps.
- Dozens of studies use this particular product, often done at leading universities.
- This best AHCC for HPV has a low molecular weight. This is important because it helps with absorption and effectiveness.
- It’s one of the leading AHCC supplements used by medical professionals and clinicians worldwide.
- GMO-free.
- Tens of thousands of positive reviews.
- Quality of Life guarantees every ingredient.
- Satisfaction guarantees for 30 days.
If you’re looking for the best AHCC for HPV and comparing products, you’ll see that Quality of Life has two different types. The first is Kinoko Gold, and the second is Kinoko Platinum.
The only difference is that Gold has 500 mg of AHCC per capsule, while Platinum has 750 mg.
Papillex vs. Quality of Life AHCC
Another name you might hear when researching the best AHCC supplements is Papillex. The reason we didn’t recommend Papillex is that it contains multiple ingredients.
That’s not a bad thing, but some people prefer to buy single-ingredient supplements. This helps you know what’s working and what’s not, ensure you’re taking enough of a dose to see benefits, and not inadvertently taking something causing your side effects.
Papillex contains the following ingredients:
- Beta carotene
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Indol-3-carbinole
- Selenium
- Green tea extract
- Reishi
- Astragalus
The reason all these ingredients are included is because they have antiviral and anti-cancer properties, as well as being able to stimulate the immune system so you can more effectively clear infections.
Some people may not do well taking some of these ingredients, though. For example, taking astragalus may cause more immune stimulation if you have an autoimmune disorder.
While AHCC can stimulate the immune system, it’s often thought of as an immune modulator.
Additionally, Papillex isn’t recommended if you’re pregnant because it has a high concentration of vitamin A, which can be toxic to unborn babies.
If you feel Papillex is the better option for you, you should take two capsules a day. Ideally, one is in the morning, and then you’re supposed to take another dose in the afternoon on an empty stomach.
According to the makers of Papillex, as your dysplasia improves, you can reduce your dose to one intended for maintenance: two capsules a day.
Final Thoughts—The Best AHCC Supplement for HPV
Other AHCC products are on the market, but Quality of Life has the longest reputation of offering this product in the U.S.
When you take AHCC from Quality of Life, it works to modify your biological responses, which essentially means it improves your natural immune response. Taking an AHCC supplement for HPV is helpful because it increases the number of white blood cells active in your body and makes them more effective at combatting the infection.
It’s estimated that AHCC can increase the effects of your Natural Killer cells by anywhere from 300-800%, and it can increase your dendritic cells, which identify threats to your immune system, leading T cells to fight them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following answers to questions about the best AHCC supplement for HPV.
What is the best AHCC to clear HPV?
As mentioned above, our choice for the best AHCC to clear HPV is the Kinoko Platinum product from Quality of Life.
How much AHCC should I take for HPV?
In studies, three grams every day of an AHCC supplement has shown benefits for clearing HPV infections in some people. You may be able to take up to six grams a day. You should speak to your healthcare provider first and read the dosage label on the particular product you choose.
How long does it take AHCC to cure HPV?
Everyone is different, and AHCC won’t cure everyone’s HPV infection, but in the available research and studies, many study participants saw their infection cleared within three months. You can also take it for longer or reduce your dose and use it long-term for maintenance to keep the infection from returning.
Does AHCC work for HPV?
AHCC is an excellent mushroom-based supplement with a long history, not just in the U.S. but in Asia. In fact, it’s used as an adjunctive treatment for conditions like cancer in Asia. Research, including a recently completed study, shows that AHCC does have benefits in clearing HPV. As is true with most supplements and even medications, it doesn’t necessarily work for everyone, but there is clinical evidence to indicate that it is a possible treatment for HPV.
What vitamins clear up HPV faster?
Along with taking AHCC, you might improve the results of clearing up your HPVV by taking certain vitamins and nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and lycopene.
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