Recently, Ichimaru Pharcos, a pioneer in the research and development of cosmetics and health food raw materials, conducted a brain health study for consumers.
This study focuses on people in the "golden age of the workplace", covering young people to middle-aged and elderly people (20 to 59 years old), aiming to reveal the importance of brain health and the perception of brain function deterioration among people of different ages.
1. Decline in brain function in the workplace: coping strategies for people of different ages
The survey results show that as many as 66% of working people in Japan feel a decline in brain function. This phenomenon is particularly significant among women in their 40s.
In addition, the deterioration of brain function becomes more obvious with age. Among people aged 20-49, they usually begin to realize the decline in brain function when they find that their memory is declining, that is, "forgetfulness". For people aged 50-59, they are more likely to notice the deterioration of brain function when they experience "memory decline".
When exploring ways to improve brain function, people of different ages have different focuses. Young people aged 20-29 tend to improve brain performance by improving sleep (44.7%), people aged 30-39 prefer to achieve this by relieving fatigue (47.5%), and people aged 40-59 believe that improving attention is the key to improving brain performance (40-49 years old: 44%, 50-59 years old: 43.4%).
2. Hot raw materials in the Japanese brain health market
Under the global trend of pursuing a healthy life, the Japanese functional food market pays special attention to solutions for specific health problems, among which brain health is an important focus. In 2024, Japan has declared 1,012 functional labeled foods (data as of December 11), of which 79 applications related to brain health were declared. GABA is the most frequently used raw material, followed by lutein/zeaxanthin, ginkgo leaf extract (flavonoid glycosides, terpene lactones), DHA, Bifidobacterium MCC1274, Bacopa saponins, paclitaxel, imidazole dipeptide, PQQ, and ergothioneine.
(1) GABA
GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) is a non-protein constituent amino acid that was first detected in potato tuber tissue by Steward et al. in 1949. In 1950, Roberts et al. also discovered the presence of GABA in the brain of mammals, produced by the irreversible α-decarboxylation reaction of glutamate or its salts catalyzed by glutamate decarboxylase.
GABA is an important neurotransmitter that is widely present in the nervous system of mammals. Its main function is to reduce the excitability of neurons by inhibiting the transmission of nerve signals. In the brain, a balance must be maintained between GABA-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission and glutamate-mediated excitatory neurotransmission, which is essential for maintaining cell membrane stability and the normal operation of neural function.
Studies have shown that GABA can inhibit neurodegeneration and improve memory and cognitive function. Animal experiments have shown that GABA can improve the long-term memory ability of mice with cognitive decline and promote the proliferation of neuroendocrine PC-12 cells. In human clinical trials, GABA can increase serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged women.
In addition, GABA has a positive effect on mood, stress, fatigue and sleep. Studies have shown that a mixture of GABA and L-theanine can reduce sleep latency, increase sleep duration, and upregulate the expression of GABA and glutamate GluN1 receptor subunits.
The Kameda Sublime Ebi Salt launched by Kameda Confectionery Co., Ltd. in Japan has a high concentration of GABA (100 mg/bag) added, which has the function of maintaining memory, including things seen and heard.
(2) Lutein/Zeaxanthin
Lutein is an oxygenated carotenoid, an unsaturated polyene composed of eight isoprene residues, containing 9 double bonds, which can absorb certain wavelengths of light and emit other wavelengths of light, resulting in unique color characteristics. Zeaxanthin is an isomer of lutein, which differs in the position of the double bond in the ring.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main pigment components of the retina. Lutein is mainly present in the peripheral area of
In 2017, researchers at the University of Georgia found that lutein and zeaxanthin have a positive effect on improving brain health in the elderly. Studies have shown that subjects with higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in their bodies showed lower brain activity requirements when performing word collocation recall tasks, indicating that their nervous system is more efficient.
In addition, a study pointed out that Omie's Lutemax 2020 lutein supplement can significantly increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key protein involved in neuroplasticity, which is essential for the growth and differentiation of neuronal cells and is associated with enhanced learning, memory and cognitive function.
Lutein Goludo S, launched by Sun Project Co., Ltd., contains 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin per capsule, which improves judgment and attention while protecting the eyes from light stimulation such as blue light.
(3) Ginkgo leaf extract (flavonoid glycosides, terpene lactones)
Ginkgo biloba is the only existing species of the gymnosperm Ginkgophylum. All other species in the same phylum have become extinct, so it is known as the "living fossil" of the plant kingdom. At the same time, its leaves and seeds are often used to study pharmacological activities and are one of the most widely used natural medicines in the world. Among them, the main active ingredients are flavonoid compounds and terpene lactone compounds, which have the functions of assisting in lowering blood lipids, anti-oxidation, assisting in improving memory, relieving visual fatigue, and assisting in protecting chemical liver damage.
Regarding the standards of ginkgo leaf extract, the WHO medicinal plant monograph points out that standardized ginkgo leaf extract contains 22~27% flavonoid glycosides and 5~7% terpene lactones, and the content of ginkgolic acid is < 5 mg/kg. The Japanese Health and Nutrition Food Association has formulated corresponding quality standards for ginkgo leaf extract foods, requiring that the flavonoid glycoside content should not be less than 24%, the terpene lactone content should not be less than 6%, and the ginkgolic acid content should be controlled below 5ppm (i.e. 5 mg/kg). The recommended daily intake of ginkgo leaf extract for adults is 60 to 240 mg.
Studies have shown that long-term oral administration of flavonoid glycosides and terpene lactone components in standardized ginkgo leaf extract can significantly improve specific cognitive functions, including memory accuracy and judgment ability, compared with placebo. In addition, ginkgo leaf extract has also been reported to enhance brain blood flow and activity.
Ichiouye Ekisu A, launched by Fujifilm Co., Ltd., contains 28.8 mg of ginkgo leaf flavonoid glycosides and 7.2 mg of ginkgo terpene lactones per 3 capsules, which has the function of maintaining memory (the ability to remember and recall actions and judgments that occur in daily life).
(4) DHA
DHA belongs to the omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Seafood and its products are rich in DHA, especially fatty fish, which can provide 0.68-1.3 grams of DHA per 100 grams of fatty fish [2]. Animal-derived foods such as eggs and meat contain small amounts of DHA. In addition, human breast milk and other mammalian milk also contain DHA. An analysis of 65 research data from more than 2,400 women worldwide found that the average concentration of DHA in breast milk accounts for 0.32% of the total fatty acid weight, ranging from 0.06-1.4%. The highest concentration of DHA in breast milk is found in coastal areas.
DHA is related to brain development, function and disease. A large number of studies have shown that DHA can enhance neurotransmission, neuronal growth, synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release. A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials showed that an average daily supplementation of more than 580 mg of DHA significantly improved episodic memory results in healthy adults (18-90 years old, with or without mild memory problems) and subgroups with mild memory problems.
DHA has five main mechanisms of action:
1) It can restore the ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFAs;
2) It can inhibit aging-related neuroinflammation caused by excessive activation of M1 microglia;
3) It can inhibit the A1 phenotype of astrocytes by reducing the expression of A1 markers C3 and S100B;
4) It can effectively inhibit the proBDNF/p75 pathway without changing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin-related kinase B signaling;
5) It can promote the membrane translocation/activation of protein kinase B (Akt) by increasing the level of phosphatidylserine, thereby promoting neuronal survival.The chocolate containing DHA launched by Meito Sangyo Co., Ltd. can support memory (the ability to recall temporarily remembered words).
(5) Bifidobacterium MCC1274
The intestine is called the "second brain". Recent studies have shown that there is a significant interaction between the brain and the intestine. As an organ with autonomous movement, the intestine shows autonomy without direct instructions from the brain during digestion. However, the connection between the intestine and the brain is closely connected through humoral pathways such as the autonomic nervous system, hormone signals, and cytokines, forming the so-called "brain-gut axis".
Studies have revealed that intestinal bacteria are involved in the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein, which is a key pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Compared with healthy individuals in the control group, the diversity of intestinal microorganisms in patients with Alzheimer's disease is reduced, and the relative abundance of bifidobacteria is also reduced.
In a human intervention study for individuals who may have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the intake of Bifidobacterium strain MCC1274 can significantly improve the cognitive function performance of subjects in the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBANS). In addition, scores in cognitive areas involving immediate memory, visual-spatial ability and combination processing, and delayed memory were also significantly improved.
Morinaga Milk's functional product line includes yogurt and drinks, and specially added MCC1274 bifidobacterium to help maintain memory and spatial cognition.
Reference:
[1] https://www.ichimaru.co.jp/research/ichimaru_topics/239
[2] http://www.fld.caa.go.jp/caaks/cssc01/
