University of Yamanashi

These findings suggest that intake of H. coagulans may improve the intestinal environment, brighten skin tone, and maintain healthy skin, by affecting intestinal microbiota. *1Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 This is a spore-forming lactic acid bacterium discovered in 1949 by Prof. Ooki Yamanashi, Ph.D. (Professor Emeritus, University of Yamanashi) and has long been used as a probiotic. It is characterized by an ability to reach the intestine alive due to its resistance to gastric acid and has been shown to exhibit various functionalities, such as controlling intestinal metabolic functions, suppressing intestinal infections, stimulating the immune system, and reducing excessive inflammation. *2Information on article Title: Improvement of Skin Condition and Intestinal microbiota via Heyndrickxia coagulans　SANK70258 Intake: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Comparative Study Authors: Naoyuki Togawa, Ryouichi Yamada, Yoshinori Aoki, Shouhei Suehiro, Noriyoshi Uchida, Akane Haseda, Hiroyo Katsuyama, Naoyuki Honma, Jun Nishihara Journal title: ”Nutrition” https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2024.112533 *3Spectrophotometer (CM-700d, Konica Minolta, Inc.) was used to measure skin color.

FRIDAY, July 28, 2023 -- Too little fiber in Mom's diet during pregnancy may slow a baby's mental development, Japanese research suggests. Animal studies have found that a low-fiber diet during pregnancy slows brain nerve function in offspring. The new study, published July 27 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition , shows the same effect in humans. "Most pregnant women in Japan consume far less dietary fiber than what is the recommended intake," said study leader Kunio Miyake , an assistant professor of environmental genetics at the University of Yamanashi. "Our results provided reinforcing evidence that undernutrition during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay in children," Miyake said in a journal news release. For the study, the researchers compared the development of children whose mothers ate the most fiber to those of mothers who consumed less fiber. The study included 76,000 mother-infant pairs who were part of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. Compared with children whose mothers ate the most fiber during pregnancy, those whose moms ate the least were more likely to show neurodevelopmental delays. The delays affected communication, problem-solving and personal-social skills. Researchers also saw delayed development of movement and coordination. In Japan, the recommended daily dietary fiber intake is 18 grams; in the United States and Canada, it is 28 grams. "Our results show that nutritional guidance for pregnant mothers is crucial to reduce the risk of future health problems for their children," Miyake said. Good sources of dietary fiber include nuts and seeds, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Sources Frontiers in Nutrition , news release, July 27, 2023 Posted July 2023

THURSDAY, July 27, 2023 -- Lower maternal fiber intake during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental delay in offspring, according to a study published online July 27 in Frontiers in Nutrition . Kunio Miyake, Ph.D., from the University of Yamanashi in Chuo, Japan, and colleagues examined the association between maternal dietary fiber intake during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental delay in offspring using data from 76,207 mother-infant pairs in a nationwide prospective cohort study. A food frequency questionnaire administered in midpregnancy was used to estimate maternal dietary fiber intake, which was classified into quintiles. The association between dietary fiber intake and developmental delay, measured in five domains at the age of 3 years, was assessed. The researchers found that compared with the highest intake group, the lowest intake group of total dietary fiber had a significantly increased risk for delayed communication, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills (adjusted odds ratios, 1.51, 1.45, 1.46, and 1.30, respectively). A similar trend was seen in an analysis that excluded the effects of insufficient folic acid intake during pregnancy. "Most pregnant women in Japan consume far less dietary fiber than what is the recommended intake; thereby, this maternal nutritional imbalance during pregnancy may adversely affect the neurodevelopment of their offspring," the authors write. "Nutritional guidance for pregnant mothers is crucial to reduce the risk of future health problems for their children." Abstract/Full Text Posted July 2023