大和健康资讯 第193期（2019年9月）

This Month's Topics

■ Essential Elements for Immune Function

8) 'When Blood Doesn’t Flow' – Part 2

Hayato Noguchi (Director, Noguchi Primary Care Clinic / Internist & Occupational Physician)

In the previous article, we introduced the condition of 'when blood doesn’t flow' and its causes. This time, we will introduce simple exercises that help improve blood flow.

■ World Health Report

Improving Sleep

In recent years, the importance of sleep has been emphasized for the prevention of various diseases and the maintenance of health. On the other hand, concerns such as 'difficulty falling asleep' or 'not sleeping well' are often heard. This time, we will introduce three research studies from the United States about improving sleep.

■ Health Trivia – Revisiting the Old and New of Health

116) Muscles Feeling Hot Now!? ~ The Unknown World of Muscles ~ ②

Preventing Dementia by Addressing Physical Inactivity – What to Be Careful of in Daily Life

Past research has clarified that daily physical inactivity and the resulting decline in walking ability are strongly associated with the onset of dementia. This time, we will discuss this based on a lecture by Ryota Sakurai (Social Participation and Community Health Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology) titled 'Preventing Dementia by Addressing Physical Inactivity – What to Be Careful of in Daily Life.'

Seasonal Foods and Health

Chrysanthemum Festival and Chestnuts

In the lunar calendar, September 9 is "Choyo no Sekku" (Double Ninth Festival), originally a court event called the Chrysanthemum Festival. There was a custom of floating chrysanthemum flowers in sake for longevity, which became popular among the general public during the Edo period and came to be called the Chestnut Festival, where people ate steamed chestnuts and chestnut rice.

Chestnuts are a familiar autumn taste, but in Japan, they were stored as food even before rice cultivation began, and carbonized fossils have been discovered at Jomon period sites. In addition to carbohydrates, they contain surprisingly high levels of potassium, vitamin B1, and vitamin C, as well as folate and zinc. In the Edo-period medical book 'Shokuhin Kokka,' it says, 'Chestnuts strengthen the kidneys, increase energy, and fortify the intestines, stomach, waist, and legs,' indicating they are thought to strengthen the gastrointestinal tract and muscles, making the legs and back strong. Chestnuts are commonly eaten as chestnut rice or simmered in their skins, which contain proanthocyanidins with extremely strong antioxidant effects. Simmering with the skins retained is an effective cooking method to efficiently incorporate their medicinal properties, helpful for preventing lifestyle-related diseases, cancer, and aging.

Additionally, during this season, the air gradually becomes dry, and issues such as asthma and coughing tend to increase during seasonal transitions. Many Japanese have sloped shoulders and sometimes insufficient lung function. When shoulders sag, breathing becomes shallow. As people age, they tend to clasp their arms behind their back, not only for better body balance but also because it allows deeper breathing. Therefore, consciously keeping the chest open on a daily basis helps the lungs expand and promotes health. Taking care of the lungs in this season is very important.

With large temperature differences between morning and night, it is easy to catch a cold, but let’s enjoy the deepening autumn and the seasonal flavors of a rich 'harvest autumn.'

The next issue of the 'e-Health Newsletter' is scheduled for distribution around October 18.