[Article from the women’s magazine “Josei Jishin” dated 23 November, 2010]
Introduced in the special serial page covering “Health and
Beauty: This Week’s Bill of Health!”
Series No. 458
This Week’s Topic: Influenza
Title: “Prepare yourself against influenza with ease by
trying aosa candies! - Does the extract
of a sea algae block the entry of virus?”
“I am so susceptible to catching a cold that every time I
submit a paid leave application form in my office, people ask me “have you caught a cold again?” As such, I was particularly gloomy in winter
time during influenza season. But this
year I am alright.”, Ms. Masako Takeuchi (39) says happily. The reason, she says, is because she is
eating candies containing Rhamnan. “I
was recommended by a friend this spring. At first, I was somewhat doubtful but since I
started taking aosa candies, I haven’t taken any paid leaves for catching
cold. I am even feeling more energetic
so I am looking forward to the challenge of starting winter sports this winter
season.” (Ms. Takeuchi)
Rhamnan is a water-soluble dietary fiber contained in large
amounts of Monostroma Nitidum (Hitoegusa),
a type of marine algae used as a material in the production of seaweed pickles
(Tsukuda-ni). Although the name may sound unfamiliar, Hitoegusa is known by different names
such as Aasaa, Ao-nori or Aosa in
different parts of Japan and has been familiar to the Japanese people since
ancient times as an ingredient of miso soup and vinegared seaweed dish (sunomono).
Rhamnan is said to be effective in blocking influenza
viruses. Dr. Toshimitsu Hayashi,
Professor in the Herbal Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine
and Pharmacology in the Graduate School of Toyama University, who conducted the
research, states as follows.
“We
discovered through anti-viral activation tests using cultured cells that
Rhamnan is effective in blocking viruses such as influenza viruses. Animal testing using mice also showed that
oral feeding of Rhamnan is effective in suppressing the growth of viruses.”
This explain how viruses make us sick in a simple manner; firstly, the virus penetrates into your cell and start to grow. Then, the virus pops out of the cell and you
become sick. However, Rhamnan will wrap
around the virus and will take the virus down to the stomach with the saliva
and will be digested in the stomach.
Therefore, there will be no virus to make us sick. So, if we eat candies containing Rhamnan,
Rhamnan coating the membrane of the throat will act to block viruses from
entering the cells.
Mrs. Tomoka Watabe (30) says that she takes Rhamnan candies
with her child. “I have started eating
the candies since 2 months ago; whenever I feel my throat is strange. Both my child and I are susceptible to
catching colds. Every year as the summer ends and the mornings and evenings
cool down, both of us always catch a cold.
But this year, we are doing fine, thanks to these candies! I am particularly happy that my child has
become healthier than before.”
Mr. Yuji Inoue (23) says that he eats the candies during the
intervals between work. “I work as a
chef so I must definitely avoid catching cold!
It will be even worse if I catch influenza since I won’t be able to come
to work. As such, I always immediately
eat the candy when I feel my throat is dry.
Now, my throat feels good and I haven’t caught a cold for a long
time. I also like the good old subtle taste of this candy!”.
The regular users of the aosa candies all say that eating
the candies over a long period not only improves the condition of the throat
but also uplifts the immunity of the body thus having effectiveness to
preventing catching cold. It seems that
when there is a worry of catching a cold, eating aosa candies help alleviate the condition.
The aosa candy that these people are eating contains Rhamnan
extracted from Hitoegusa. The candy has two flavors, Japanese green tea
flavor and plain flavor. (This product
is available from the Yokkaichi Branch of Rhamnan Corporation. Tel: 059-398-2610)
Mr. Kiyoaki Tsuji, the developer of this aosa candy, says
“Originally, I made this aosa candy containing Rhamnan, which can block
viruses, for myself. However, because so
many people came up asking for the candy hearing that it is effective in blocking
influenza or cold, I have decided to make this a product in a joint
collaboration with Kintaro Ame Honten Co., Ltd.”
Many people may think that it is fine just to start taking
medicine once you have caught an influenza or cold, but anti-virals such as
Tamiflu give some concern over their possible side effects. Since Rhamnan is a marine algae based
substance, it is safe, and there is also an advantage that it will be easy to
continue taking aosa candies since all you have to do is to lick. Why not start an easy countermeasure against
influenza this winter by eating delicious aosa candies?
Dr. T. Hayashi, Toyama University, Graduate
School
“Great hopes for a double effect in blocking viruses and
raising immunity”
Dr. Toshimitsu Hayashi, Professor in the Herbal Medicine
Research Laboratory,
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology,
Graduate School of Toyama University
“Tests on the anti-viral activation properties of Rhamnan
using animal cells suggest that Rhamnan has a powerful blocking
effect on all viruses possessing films known as envelopes. Vaccines are effective only with certain
specific types of virus, and they are not likely to be particularly effective
in the case of people who are already in poor physical condition. On the other hand, Rhamnan has a blocking
activation property against any type of influenza virus. Moreover, because Rhamnan also raises
immunity, it is thus likely to be effective on the prevention of contracting
any type of influenza or cold.”
