大和健康资讯 第122期（2013年10月）

This Month's Topics

■ Forensic Medicine Doctor Health Information

6) Improved blood circulation for longevity

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

◎ In Japan, average life expectancy has been continuously increasing in recent years. On the other hand, extending average healthy life expectancy has become a major challenge, and the government is also advancing countermeasures. The biggest cause of the need for nursing care in Japan is stroke, and actively preventing lifestyle-related diseases is very important for extending healthy life expectancy.

We consider ways to live longer and healthier by improving blood flow.

■ World Health Report

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is accelerating probiotic research.

◎ Awareness of probiotics is increasing in the United States. However, on the other hand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet authorized health labeling for probiotic products. Therefore, we have begun full-scale efficacy verification, focusing on effects such as diarrhea in infants, irritable bowel syndrome, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We report on the rapidly growing global market for probiotics.

■ Health Tips: Revisiting and Renewing Health

45) The close relationship between health and oral health

◎ One of the serious concerns brought about by aging is the deterioration of teeth. It is said that when teeth chipped and "chewing function" declines, the risk of disease increases. Based on a lecture by Kenji Matsushita (Director, Department of Oral Diseases, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology) held at the Women's Employment Support Center on September 4, 2013, titled "Oral Care Starting from the Working Generation to Extend Healthy Life Expectancy," I will discuss the relationship between healthy longevity and oral care, and the importance of keeping the oral space clean.

This Month's Menu

■ Latest Information on Daiwa Pharmaceutical

◎ Exhibited at Vitafoods Asia

■ Because I'm curious

◎ Episode 43: What You Should Know About the 'RS Virus'

■ Latest Information on Daiwa Pharmaceutical

◎ Exhibited at Vitafoods Asia

Daiwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. exhibited at the "Vitafoods Asia" exhibition held at Asia World-Expo Hong Kong, the largest exhibition venue in Hong Kong, held from September 4~5, 2013.

"Vitafoods Asia" is an exhibition for nutritional supplements and functional foods targeting the Asia region, with about 200 companies exhibiting and thousands of visitors. Daiwa Pharmaceutical introduced original ingredients developed with a focus on traditional Japanese foods—BioBran, NKCP, and Kefiran—which attracted much interest from visitors.

This was our first time exhibiting at "Vitafoods Asia," and we received many inquiries especially about NKCP and Kefiran, making it a great opportunity to introduce these products, which are still not yet fully established in the Asian market.

In the rapidly developing ASEAN region, further market expansion is expected, and participation in the next year is being considered. Daiwa Pharmaceutical will continue to aim for further expansion in the ASEAN region.

【Vitafoods Asia】

http://www.vitafoodsasia.com/page.cfm/Link=1/t=m/goSection=1

■ Concerns About the "RS Virus" You Should Know

Have you heard of the RS virus, a type of cold virus?

This virus is common, but infants and young children need to be cautious. This is because the first infection is most common up to age 2, and first-time infections or certain groups of infants and toddlers are more likely to develop severe symptoms. Certain groups include, for example, "within 6 months of age," "those who have been in the mother's womb for a short time (less than 37 weeks)," or "those born with heart or respiratory diseases."

The outbreak occurs from autumn through the following spring. Last season saw the worst outbreak ever. This season as of August, the number of patients has been reported at a pace exceeding the previous year's, raising concerns about a large-scale outbreak. It begins with cold-like symptoms such as cough and nasal shriveles, but is characterized by the disease often spreading deep into the airways and leading to severe illness.

There is vaccination for influenza, but there is no vaccine for RS virus. First, it is important to strictly implement general infection prevention measures. In other words, practicing handwashing and avoiding crowds. For infants and young children, who have a high risk of severe illness, injections of drugs called "antibodies" that bind to RS virus and prevent it from multiplying in the body are permitted. Injections are given once a month during the season.

Thank you for reading the 'e-Kenko Kawara Edition' to the end of this month.

We will continue to plan to provide more comprehensive health information, so we appreciate your continued support. We look forward to hearing your opinions and feedback.

The next "e-Kenken Kawara Edition" is scheduled to be released around November 11.