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Investigation of the molecular basis for prevention of lifestyle-related diseases through the food
Prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension is a urgent issue for the public health of our nation. Aiming at the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases through diet, we are carried out to research from various angles.
Prevention of lifestyle-related diseases through effects of foods on the metabolism of steroids.Steroid hormones such as estrogens and glucocorticoids, have a variety of physiological activity, and their activities are known to correlate with the risk of developing a variety of lifestyle-related diseases. On the other hand, it has been well recognized that diet has a significant impact on prevention and risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases. There are various reports which show correlation between the effects on prevention of lifestyle-related diseases and the effects on steroid metabolism by food ingredients. In recent years, epidemiological studies showed that coffee has preventive effect against a variety of lifestyle-related diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Then, we are evaluating the effect of coffee on the steroid hormone metabolism.
Analysis of the molecular basis of the effects of probiotics on the lifestyle-related diseases.Epidemiological studies indicate that there is a habitual intake effect of bifidobacteria and lactobacteria contained in yogurt to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, such as cancer and hyperlipidemia and inflammatory gastrointestinal disease. Using cultured cells derived from human gastrointestinal tract, we have analyzed the effects of probiotics on the immune system and cholesterol absorption within the digestive tracts.