Allergies to mushrooms are most often associated with exposure to mushroom spores. These spores originate in the top of the mushroom, called the fruiting body. However, AHCC®is derived from the mycelia, or the root of the mushroom, which does not contain spores. In addition, as part of the manufacturing process, the raw material is subjected to a fermentation process that breaks down the high molecular weight molecules that are very tough to digest into low molecular weight compounds. This process further lowers any allergenic potential. Many people who believe they are allergic to mushrooms take AHCC®successfully. However, if you are concerned, please check with a healthcare professional that specializes in natural products or begin taking AHCC®very slowly. This can be done by starting with a quarter of a capsule on the tip of your tongue and if you don't experience itching in your mouth or other signs of allergy, work your way up to 2 to 6 capsules per day over a period of several days.

No AHCC® does not lose its effectiveness over time. As shown in an AHCC® placebo-controlled scientific trial, patients who used AHCC® regularly over a ten-year period had consistent and significant improvement as compared to the placebo group, therefore showing no signs of the ingredient losing effectiveness.*

Two studies conducted at the highly prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center and published in the Journal of Integrative Oncology explored AHCC®’s interaction with other medications. These studies determined that AHCC® is metabolized via a pathway called “P450 2D6,” meaning that AHCC® has the potential to increase or decrease the absorption of a drug that uses the same pathway. 

Therefore if you are taking another medication and are concerned about possible interactions, we recommend you ask a medical professional if the drug you are taking is metabolized through the cytochrome P450 2D6 class of enzymes. Most likely, the answer will be “no,” which means that AHCC® is highly unlikely to interact with the drug you are taking.