Date 2015/03/26
The potential to alleviate fatigue! The fermented vegetable extract OM-X was found to have an enhancing effect towards muscle endurance.
A
research group led by instructor Tomohiro Ito Ph.D. from the Department of
Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture at Kinki University (Nara, Japan) and BIOBANK
CO.,LTD. (Okayama, Japan) have conducted a collaborative research. We found out
that the fermented vegetable extract (product name: OM-X) that is a combination
of fruits and vegetables naturally fermented with probiotic strains can
facilitate the alleviation of fatigue and the improvement of muscle endurance.
<Major
findings of the study>
Anti-fatigue
action in mice was observed after the administration of the fermented vegetable
extract OM-X.
The following
effects were observed in mice: an acceleration of lipid metabolism, suppression
of intravital oxidative damage and an enhanced degradation of the substances
causing fatigue.
This allows
the possibility of a future application of this extract to foods and
supplements with an anti-fatigue capability.
<Abstract>
BIOBANK
CO.,LTD. manufactures OM-X which is a combination of vegetables, fruits,
seaweeds and mushrooms lengthy fermented with probiotic strains, and sales the final
encapsulated product around the world.
A
research group led by Dr. Ito conducted a forced swimming test with mice anticipating
to observe a highly antioxidant property of OM-X and its effect on fatigue
induced from oxidative stress which was corresponding to the result of a
questionnaire to OM-X users whom commented that they felt less fatigued after
the ingestion of OM-X.
The
result of the test suggested that the mice that were administered OM-X showed
about twofold longer duration of their swimming time than the other group
without OM-X. The serum and lipid component concentration in their liver
(cholesterols, triglycerides and phospholipids) were reduced. The gene
expression that is involved in the production of a particular enzyme that acts
in the ornithine cycle which metabolizes ammonia, a substance causing mice’s
fatigue, was also increased. The current result encourages us to expect OM-X to
be helpful in reducing fatigue and improving athletic ability.
On
the basis of these results, we deemed the mice with OM-X administration could
reduce their accumulated fatigue which in turn extends the duration of their
exercise. This achievement shows that OM-X is a helpful food/material to alleviate
fatigue and improve athletic ability.
<Future
development>
60%
of the working population in Japan is aware of the feeling of fatigue. Half of
them are suffering from chronic fatigue (ongoing fatigue over 6 months) (2).
Many studies about fatigue relaxation have been ongoing. Some studies suggested
that natural ingredients such as imidazolepeptide in chicken breast and
astaxanthin in fish meat are helpful to soothe one’s fatigue (3,4).
The
development of foods and supplements with an anti-fatigue capability is
expected in the future, which are based on observed properties to facilitate the
improvement of athletic ability (muscle endurance) and metabolic function and
detoxification in the liver.
(References)
1)
J Functional Foods. 10, p117-127 (2014)
2)
Health sciences research project subsidized by Ministry of Health, Labour and
Welfare, Report of research achievement in 1999. p19-44
3)
Japanese Journal of Complementary and
Alternative Medicine. 6,
p123–129 (2009)
4)
Journal of Clinical Therapeutics &
Medicines. 18, p1085 (2002)
<Introduction
of instructor Tomohiro Ito Ph.D.>
Name:
Tomohiro Ito
Affiliation:
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture at Kinki University
Background:
1998:
Graduated from National Fisheries University
2011-
Present: Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture at Kinki University as
an instructor
