The digestive system is the most important immune organ. The role of the intestinal flora in immune mechanisms is extremely important because it is an integral part of innate immunity, which stimulates acquired immunity and shapes the acquired immune response. Therefore, products that, based on scientific evidence, can modulate the mechanisms of innate immunity are of particular interest today.
One such product is the combination of AHCC® and BB-12® probiotics. AHCC® is a mixture of substances in which the main polysaccharide is alpha-glucan, namely acetylated 1.4 glucan (the rest are proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and a small amount of beta-glucan). It is produced from the mycelium of the fungus Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) grown in a liquid medium containing rice straw. Immunomodulatory activity has been clinically proven through increased NK cell activity in immunocompromised individuals, increased dendritic cell count and activity, increased proliferation of macrophages that play a key role in primary immunity, and increased cytokine responses.
Probiotics are living microorganisms that in sufficient concentration have a positive effect on the health of the host and they are a natural part of the physiological flora and have no side effects. Strains of microorganisms that act as probiotics belong to the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces. Entered in sufficient quantities, they colonize the mucous membrane of the digestive system where they can exert their effects. The role of probiotics in immunomodulation is based on mechanisms involving the synthesis of antimicrobials, the fight against nutrient pathogens, the modification of toxins, and the stimulation of nonspecific immune responses to the pathogen. Numerous large, systematic review articles have found that probiotics are an effective way to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of many pathological conditions in children, while the guidelines state that they are a fundamental part of therapy and prevention of acute diarrhea.
It doesn't matter which probiotic bacteria we take. The effectiveness of strains has been proven by scientific research, and the results of research obtained with a particular strain cannot be applied to some other unexplored strains. The choice of probiotics also depends on the disease. Numerous studies confirm that not all probiotics are equally effective for certain indications.
