A Pilot Open-Label Study Assessing the Effects of AHCC Supplementation on Lyme Disease Patients

Authors

  • John Salerno The Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine, New York, NY, 10022, USA
  • Manami Misu Amino Up Co., Ltd., Sapporo, Hokkaido, 004-0839, Japan
  • Eriko Ogawa Amino Up Co., Ltd., Sapporo, Hokkaido, 004-0839, Japan
  • Jun Takanari Amino Up Co., Ltd., Sapporo, Hokkaido, 004-0839, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31989/bchd.v2i11.677

Abstract

Background: Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States. The disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, a skin rash, and joint pain. If left untreated, infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, resulting in inflammation and long-term symptoms that include arthritis and/or intermittent pain in joints and muscles, facial palsy, cardiovascular abnormalities and cognitive disturbances. Recent research suggests that late-stage Lyme disease may be a result of malfunctioning immune function. AHCCÃ’ is a natural immune modulating compound derived from a unique fraction of special cultured medicinal mushroom mycelia. Previous studies have also suggested that AHCCÃ’ exhibits preventive effect against a wide range of infections caused by MRSA, influenza and West Nile virus. The effect of AHCCÃ’ supplementation on Lyme disease patients was evaluated in the current study.

Methods: In a pilot open-label study, 12 Lyme disease patients were administered 3 grams of AHCCÃ’ daily for 8 weeks. Before commencement of the administration and after 4 and 8 weeks, the effects of AHCCÃ’ were evaluated clinically based on symptoms, serum antibodies to pathogens, inflammatory activity and serum immunological parameters. Patients completed questionnaires pertaining to Qualify of Life parameters.

Results: After 8 weeks of AHCCÃ’ administration, AHCCÃ’ ameliorated flu-like symptoms and manifestations in the eye, joint, muscle, nervous system and cardiovascular system. In addition, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, an index as inflammation and serum interleukin-8 was significantly decreased.

Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that AHCCÃ’ may be effective in treating patients with Lyme disease.

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Published

2019-12-02

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 11 (2019): November 2019

Section

Research Articles

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