大和健康资讯 第53期（2008年1月）

Greetings

Happy New Year. This is Honma, in charge of the email newsletter.

Thank you very much for using the "e-kawaraban" last year as well.

Starting this month, a new series by Dr. Masahito Ichisugi of Dokkyo Medical University will be launching "Health Information Forensic Medicine Doctors Should Know."

This year as well, we will continue to work in collaboration with our website to further enhance our health information.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

Please check out the series health information on the Daiwa Pharmaceutical website~

■ Health advice from doctors

◎ Health information forensic medicine doctors should know

1) What are health foods?

(Dr. Masahito Ichisugi, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University)

■ World Hells Report

◎ "Color therapy that heals mind and body through the effects of color"

■ Health Tips

◎ Relaxation ~ Fully engage all five senses to relieve physical and mental tension

This Month's Menu

■ New Year's Greetings (President Yasuo Ninomiya)

■ Research on materials and exploration of new materials (Head of Research and Development: Hisayori Kato)

■ Latest Information Related to Daiwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

◎ ISO9001:2000 maintenance audit conducted again this year, resulting in "compliance" and certification.

■ Latest Information on Integrated Medicine [23] Vegetables, Fruits, and Cancer Prevention

■Editor's Note

■ New Year's Greetings

President and CEO Yasuo Ninomiya

Dear readers, Happy New Year.

Thank you very much for continuing to read the "e-kawara edition" last year.

This year as well, we will continue to strive to create pages that are "interesting to read" and "actually useful," so we appreciate your continued support.

Last year, incidents such as "falsification" involving long-established food companies were uncovered, and the importance of food safety and compliance* was increasingly emphasized.

At our company, we are committed to thoroughly implementing operations more thoroughly than ever, including producing safe products based on HACCP and GMP standards, as well as standardizing operations and complying with laws and regulations through company-wide efforts through ISO9001.

Also, at the end of last fiscal year, the Tokyo District Court ruled for the first time that the uniform prohibition of mixed medical care is illegal regarding insurance coverage in mixed medical care.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is dissatisfied with this and has decided to file an appeal.

However, on the other hand, the government is gradually moving toward lifting the ban on hybrid medical care amid the global trend surrounding medical practice. Physicians who actually treat patients generally support this ruling, but on the other hand, they point out the importance of safety and scientific evidence for unapproved drugs and functional foods used in mixed care. Our company will also take these concerns seriously and continue to work hard to accumulate even more evidence.

*Compliance: Adherence to laws and regulations

■ Research materials and explore new materials

Head of Research and Development Department Hisayori Kato

Dear readers, Happy New Year.

Thank you very much for continuing to read the "e-kawara edition" last year.

Looking back on last year, I believe it was a year that made us reflect on what kind of foods we can safely consume. Among these, the "e-Kawara Edition" is a way to clearly communicate food and health, as well as the functionality and safety of food.

As I mentioned in my opening remarks last year, research on "rice kefiran" and rice bran, the arabinoxylane derivative "Biobran," is progressing, so this year, we plan to present the results at academic conferences and similar events.

We believe we can inform everyone in advance about the announcement through the "e-kawara edition."

This year, as in last year, we intend to continue research on bio-bran, NKCP, and rice kefiran, as well as explore new food ingredients, so we appreciate your continued support.

■ Latest Information Related to Daiwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

◎ ISO9001:2000 maintenance audit conducted again this year, resulting in "compliance" and certification.

Our company obtained certification for International Quality Management System ISO9001:2000 from UKAS in December 2002 across all departments at the Tsukuba plant and Tokyo headquarters, and has been committed to the effective operation of our management system by conducting regular internal audits and maintenance audits.

This year, as a result of the maintenance audit on November 30, our quality management system was evaluated as compliant with the ISO9001:2000 standard and effectively operated, and was certified as "compliant."

This review focused on whether our quality management system complies with ISO9001:2000, is effectively operated and maintained, with particular emphasis on continuous improvement, and was conducted at the headquarters' office/warehouse. As a result, it was confirmed that our management system is well established and properly operated and maintained in sufficient alignment with our quality policy, that our activities are properly managed according to the quality manual, various regulations, and quality records, and that those responsible comply with them; that there are no major complaints or complaints, and that even minor complaints are promptly addressed.

The second renewal review is scheduled for next fiscal year.

Since our founding, we have prioritized customer satisfaction and have devoted ourselves to developing and manufacturing "safe and secure products backed by scientific evidence." As an ISO-certified company, our management, quality control managers, and all employees will continue to strive for further improvement, so we appreciate your continued support.

■ Latest Information on Integrated Medicine

[23] Vegetables, fruits, and cancer prevention

A new analysis has emerged from the Japanese epidemiological study "JPHC Study," which I previously introduced in this column. Next, let's talk about the relationship between vegetables and fruits and cancer.

With the cooperation of about 80,000 men and women aged 45~74, we tracked the case for up to seven years to investigate daily vegetable and fruit intake and cancer incidence rates.

In conclusion, even with increased intake, the risk of developing cancer did not decrease.

However, even when we call it cancer, there are various types, such as stomach cancer and breast cancer, and the causes differ. This time, when viewed as "cancer" as a whole, there was no difference. The research group stated that for individual cancers (such as stomach cancer), "Vegetables and fruits remain preventive."

In a recent comprehensive report by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, it is stated that the intake of vegetables and fruits 'probably lowers the risk' for esophageal, stomach, oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers, and that fruits 'probably lower the risk' for lung cancer.

Additionally, there is not enough evidence yet to suggest that any specific vegetables or fruits are particularly effective in cancer prevention. It is advisable to consume a variety of vegetables and fruits generously (aiming for 400 grams per day) while being mindful of excessive calorie and sugar intake.

Source: JPHC Study Homepage

http://epi.ncc.go.jp/jphc/outcome/57/veg_fru_circulatory.html

■ Editorial Note

Speaking of dishes with plenty of vegetables, 'hot pot dishes' come to mind.

It is recommended to include vegetables such as Chinese cabbage and green onions, which help warm the body.

Since they warm the body from the core, this may also help save on heating costs.

Please take extra care of your health in preparation for February, considered the coldest month of the year.

We look forward to receiving your opinions and feedback.

The next edition of 'e-Health Kawaraban' is scheduled for distribution on February 8.

We thank you for your continued support of Yamato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.