| Under Construction, Updating..... |
| Japan's Nutraceuticals News and Update (May 15, 2005) |
85 percent of cancer patients take aguricus, a study shows
A study conducted by Prof. Kizu of the Kyouritsu University of pharmacy (www.kyouritsu-ph.ac.jp) for the supplement users in cancer patients under the medical care. The study was conducted through 74 cancer patients in 32 cancer treatment centers in Japan. The study showed 85 percent of the patients under the medical care are taking aguricus blazei for the supplement, propolis is 55 percent, vitamins is 40, and royal jelly is 32 percent. 82 percent of the pharmacists in those centers said there are no improvements, the patient’s condition by the supplements. 9 percent of the cancer centers suggested to the patients not take the supplements. 80 percent of the doctors in those centers accept the supplement, if the patients prefer to continue to take them, but monitor the condition closely. (The Health Industry News)
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) benefits for diet is unclear, NIH said.
National Institution of Health & Nutrition (NIH) (www.nih.go.jp/eiken/) published a study on ever popular ingredient, ALA. The report found ALA is beneficial for antioxidants and diabetic but not for diet. Most of published studies are tested on animals but not for human. NIH said they didn’t find any study for benefits, relations between ALA and the diet. NIH concluded necessity of more scientific study on ALA. (The Health Industry News)
Glycine May Help to Sleep Deeper
A simple amino acid, glycine may help to sleep even deeper, according to a study published by Ajinomoto (www.ajinomoto.co.jp). In the study, 14 Japanese men took a 3g of glycine before sleep. The study found they slept sooner, deeper and longer. 15 women who are difficulty to fall-in-sleep also took the same amount of glycine before sleep. They felt more refreshed and energetic in the morning. (Nikkei Industry News)
Supplement News
Wasabi is not only for Sushi
A study conducted by Nagoya University and Osaka University showed wasabi is also beneficial for antioxidants and help liver functions. Kinjirushi a leading wasabi producer announced a new dietary supplement called Wasabi & Olive.
It formulates wasabi extract compound called 6-Methylsulfinylhexyl, olive oil. and milk protein, deca-peptide.
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| More Soy Peptide Energy-Recovery Beverages
Toraku/Soyafarm- Powerful Soy Peptide Drink (www.the-peptide.com)
Toraku/Soyafarm (Kobe) introduced Soy Power, The Peptide. This energy recovery drink contains 8000 mg of soy peptide as a main source. It’s a highest amount of soy peptide beverage in the market. It promotes energy enhancing to body and brain. It’s in a new aluminum bottle container.
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| Coca Cola Japan (Tokyo)-Soy Peptide Drink (www.cocacolajapan.co.jp)
Coca Cola Japan launched a soy peptide drink, Powerade. This Powerade is powered by 4000 mg of soy peptide. (U.S. Powerade is powered by vitamin Bs). It’s has a lightly acid taste and not-carbonated.
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| Kibun Food Chemiha (Tokyo)-Soy Peptide Soy Milk (www.kibunfc.co.jp)
Kibun Food Chemifa is a subsidiary of an old Japanese food company Kibun. Soy peptide soy milk is soy milk, fortified with 1800 mg of soy peptide and vitamin D for calcium absorption. It has a slight orange and yogurt taste.
Other soy peptide products are:
Calpis-Mo-ichido soy peptide drink.
Sapple-Daizu Peptide, amino acid 5900
Fine-Soy Peptide supplement.
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| Other New Functional Foods
Ajinomoto (Tokyo)-Cooking Oil with DHA (www.ajinomoto.co.jp)
Ajinomoto launched cooking oil, Mainichi (everyday) DHA. Health cooking oil category has been growing 10 percent a year for the last 5 years. This Mainichi DHA is the latest entry in the category. The oil is combination of 3 kinds of oils, corn, fish and flax seeds. It contains 238 mg of DHA & EPA per 14g of oil.
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| Nichirei (Tokyo)-Acerola Water (www.nichirei.co.jp)
Nichirei introduced Acerola Water. Acerola is a vitamin rich cherry fruit, mostly cultivated in warm climate. Nichirei has been developing acerola products since late 90s and the largest producer of acerola products in Japan. Acerola Water supplies 20 percent of vitamin C recommended by the MHLW.
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| Tokuho (FOSHU) Update
As of April 05, 493 products were approved by the MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) as Tokuho (FOSHU). For the last 3 months, 12 products had been added to the family. Some of the new and unique entries are; seaweed peptide for high blood pressure and fructo oligosaccharides for strength the bone.
At the end of 2003, Tokuho market was $5 billion with 398 products. By the end of this year, we project to reach over $5.8 to $6.0 billion. It is the fastest growing category in the functional foods.
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Japan's Nutraceuticals News & Update
(January 2005) |
Nisshin Pharma Supplies Degussa’s ALA
Nisshin Pharma (Tokyo) entered into a supply agreement with Degussa (Germany) Japan as the supplier of Degussa’s Alpha lipo acid (ALA) in Japan. ALA has been deregulated for dietary supplement use June this year. Since then demand for the ingredient has been positive and the market for ALA is expecting to grow $50 million by 2007. Nisshin Pharma is one of the leading suppliers of Coenzyme Q10. (The Health Industry News, November 2004)
| Toyo Shinyaku receives manufacturing Patent on Flavangenol™
Toyo Shinyaku (Saga) was awarded manufacturing and its function on Flavangenol, French pine bark extract. The patent covers the manufacturing process that produces high concentration of polypehnol from the extract. (The Health Industry News, October 2004)
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Chlorella Import Up 32 Percent, Ministry of Finance Announced
Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced monthly importation of natural ingredients. According to the announcement, chlorella is up 32 percent compared with the same month last year. Annual import of chlorella last year was over 1,200 metric ton. If the trend continues over 1,300 metric ton of chlorella will be imported in Japan. Taiwan is the largest exporter (70 percent) of chlorella to Japan, followed by Korea and Indonesia. Importation of honey also increased 23 percent from the same month last year. Decreased were, prune, and royal jelly. Korean ginseng was down almost 50 percent from the same month last year. (Japan’s Ministry of Finance, November 2004)
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Calpis-Ajinomoto-Danon Soy Peptide Drink
Calpis-Ajinomoto-Danon (Tokyo) launched soy peptide lactic acid bacteria drink, Daizu Peptide Nysankin (Soy Peptide Lactic Acid Bacteria).
Soy peptide LAB drink contains 1000mg of soy peptide that regulates GI conditions and regains and sustain energy level. Soy peptide became a hot ingredient recently in Japan and Calips’s is the first product that formulates soy peptide and lactic acid bacteria.
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Esu-Esu Pharmaceuticals FOSHU Approved Soy Isoflavone Drink
Esu-Esu’s fist FOSHU (Foods for Specified Health Use) approved product Kaizen-Seikatu (Improved Living) is granted a health claim for improve bone-loss for people who are in menopause stage. The jasmine flavor tea drink contains 40mg of soy isoflavones in a 100 ml bottle.
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Asahi Launched L-Carnitine Drink
Asahi Beverages (Tokyo) introduced Asahi L-Carnitine Drink. Carnitine Drink contains 300mg of L-carnitine in a 350ml PET bottle. Company said it targeting diet and athletic oriented younger audiences.
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