Urine test and immune status: Kirin studies new ways to measure pDC activity
Kirin plans to develop a non-invasive method to measure plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) activity, which is indicative of a person’s immune status, after recent research showed links between pDC activity and urine test results.
The study found that individuals with high pDC activity have significantly higher levels of immune-related proteins, including immunoglobulin A, in their urine samples.
The findings were presented at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Food Immunology (JAFI).
NMN for hair? Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences on “first of its kind” findings
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has gained traction as an anti-aging ingredient, but a 12-week study funded by Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences showed that it could improve hair health too.
Writing in Cosmetics, the researchers reported significant improvements in both anagen hair elongation density and hair diameter.
The findings indicated that NMN supplementation may enhance follicle maturation and nutrient supply to dermal papilla cells, which could in turn promote growth of existing terminal hairs, rather than stimulating new vellus hair (fine hair) formation.
Women’s health webinar to uncover trends, innovation, marketing tips for APAC
Find out more about the latest in women’s health nutraceutical innovation trends, research, and marketing tips for Asia-Pacific markets in our upcoming webinar taking place on October 23 (Thurs) at 3pm Singapore time.
The webinar comprises a panel discussion where four experts across the region will present their insights. Register for the webinar for free here.
Morinaga Milk launches first mood support postbiotics for global markets
Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd launched its first postbiotics for mood support for international markets at Vitafoods Asia 2025 held in Bangkok.
The postbiotics, Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848, also marketed as LAC-Living+, has been introduced to the domestic Japanese market for about five years and is incorporated into over 100 products.
Examples include carbonated drink by Topvalu, the in-house brand of Japanese grocery retail chain AEON, as well as vinegar drinks that can be taken after diluting it with drinking water.
Lychee fruit extract intake shown to reduce abdominal fat - Japan study
The supplementation of a lychee fruit extract could significantly reduce abdominal fat, according to a 12-week clinical trial conducted in Japan.
The abdominal visceral fat area (VFA) of the intervention group was 6.1 cm² smaller than the placebo group by the end of the intervention, which was a statistically significant difference.
The study used Oligonol, a standardized oligomerized-polyphenol from lychee (Litchi chinensis) fruit, which is commercialized by Japanese functional ingredient firm Amino Up Co., Ltd.
