Japan focus: Daiken Biomedical’s Japanese patent, B. breve benefits, Meiji and Albion’s collaboration, CURE’s debut

Daiken Biomedical leverages Japan patent for triple-action formula to strengthen consumer trust and fuel business growth​​

Taiwan-based health food manufacturer Daiken Biomedical’s capsule supplement, Q10-Natto Plus Red Yeast Rice Complex, is made with a “golden formula” that claims to enhance metabolism, maintain cardiovascular health, and lower blood lipids.

Its research team had reviewed thousands of papers in international journals, and performed multiple safety tests to select and combine the key ingredients.

The formula was granted a patent in Japan last year, following a six- to eight-month review by the Japan Licensing Agency’s Quality Assurance Panel.

Irene Zhang, Marketing Director of Daiken Biomedical, said that obtaining the Japanese patent is the “most secure and safe guarantee” to gain consumer trust, and could play a major role in driving business expansion.

Probiotics for stress? B. breve shown to decrease heart rate under stress, increase GABA-life substance​​

The supplementation of probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve​ M-16V has shown to modulate the nervous system, such as decreasing heart rate during stress and increasing the production of pipecolic acid, a GABA-like substance for supporting stress relief, according to a six-week study.

The study, funded by Morinaga Milk Industry, also showed that B. breve ​M-16V may improve mood and sleep in participants with high anxiety levels.

Conducted by researchers from Morinaga Milk Industry, The University of Tokyo, and Mishuku Hospital in Tokyo, the study was the first of its kind.

Cacao and beauty: Meiji, Albion launch chocolate products containing moisturising ingredient​​

Meiji has joined hands with Kosé-owned cosmetics brand Albion to launch chocolates and jelly drinks containing glucosylceramide, which is said to be a moisturising ingredient derived from cacao.

The Japanese dairy company claims to be the first to develop and commercialise cacao glucosylceramide. However, no health claims are made for the two new products.

Meiji said that the launch was to “expand the possibilities of cacao” using cacao glucosylceramide, especially since Albion conducts research on functional plants and sustainability.

Yeast-derived prebiotic could enhance gut motility and sleep quality – Asahi-funded study​​

A study funded by Bio-oriented Technology Research Advanced Institution, NARO, and Asahi Group Holdings found that dietary supplementation of yeast mannan (YM) as a prebiotic could boost gut motility, improve constipation symptoms, and contribute to better sleep quality.

The results showed that the YM group significantly increased defecation frequency compared to the placebo group during the treatment period.

After four weeks of intervention, the non-REM sleep stage 3 (N3 deep sleep stage) duration in the YM group was significantly longer than that in the placebo group.

In addition, YM intake significantly shortened N3 latency (accelerated transition to N3) and significantly lengthened total time in bed, compared to placebo intake.

CBD brand CURE gears up for Japan debut, adapts regulation-friendly formula as it sets sight on further Asia expansion​​

New York-based CURE aims to launch its range of CBD-focused functional beverages and dietary supplements in Japan by April, while adapting some of its products to meet regulatory requirements in other Asian markets.

CURE’s proprietary blend of CBD and functional herbal ingredients is the common denominator in all of its products, which range from beverages to gummy supplements.