Press Release ASTAXANTHIN IS EFFECTIVE FOR BODY FAT REDUCTION FUJI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD. Receives a Key Patent for its Work to Support Healthy Lifestyle Changes May 2013, Japan - FUJI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (hereafter FCI; Headquarters: 55 Yokohoonji, Kamiichi-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama, Japan; President: Mitsunori Nishida) has been awarded a patent by the Japanese Patent Office for an agent the company produces, Haematococcus pluvialis extract that contains astaxanthin, which is effective for decreasing body fat. FCI s extensive R&D activities have demonstrated the efficacy of astaxanthin for health improvement and disease prevention, and the company has applied for a number of patents for it. This latest patent recognizes FCI s research findings that astaxanthin intake combined with aerobic exercise, in this case walking exercise, more effectively lowered body fat percentage than walking exercise alone. The body fat percentage (the ratio of visceral and subcutaneous fat to total body weight) is one of the general indexes to judge obesity, and a body fat percentage of more than 30% for men and 25% for women is In Japan, obesity is stated as a risk factor for other lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure that may become life threatening, and currently, over 20% of Japanese are obese. As part of its guidance for the prevention of obesity and lifestyle-related disease, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan recommends performing regular aerobic exercise that effectively burns body fat. Patent Number Patent 5165894 The Patent Journal (in Japanese) Title of the Invention Agent for Body Fat Reduction Outline of the Patent Objectives To provide an agent that can be easily consumed as a food supplement, which is derived from natural materials and has no side effects, to contribute to the treatment, improvement or prevention of various illnesses caused 1
by obesity resulted from an excessive accumulation of body fat. In addition, to help achieve and maintain an aesthetic figure through a slimming effect. Solution FCI found that the Haematococcus pluvialis extract containing astaxanthin is effective for decreasing body fat percentage and for inhibiting an increase in body fat percentage. Working Examples Thirty-two healthy women aged 23 to 57 years old were randomly divided into two groups: one that took 2 astaxanthin capsules (each containing 6 mg of astaxanthin) and the other that took 2 placebo capsules (not containing astaxanthin) after dinner every day. The women took the capsules for 6 weeks and were instructed to perform continuous walking exercise for 40 minutes 3 times a week during the study period. The average body fat percentage of the group who consumed the astaxanthin capsules was significantly reduced from 27.6% before the study to 26.6% after it. On the other hand, the group that consumed the placebo capsules showed no significant difference over the study period, with the average body fat percentage changing from 26.6% to 26.8%. Patent Rights An agent for the reduction of body fat percentage that is composed of an extract containing astaxanthin, which is obtained by pulverizing Haematococcus pluvialis and extracting it with solvent. Most of the astaxanthin content used as a raw material in the supplement now is extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis using either of the following methods: 1. Pulverize and extract astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis in solvent. 2. Pulverize Haematococcus pluvialis and extract astaxanthin in supercritical carbon dioxide solvent. This patent encompasses the use of astaxanthin in products for the purpose of decreasing body fat, and the production and selling of such products. Figure1. Difference in average body fat percentage (%) before and after the study Group exercised without consuming astaxanthin Group exercised while consuming astaxanthin 2
Contact Kazuhiro Shinagawa Corporate & Planning Division FUJI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD. 55 Yokohoonji, Kamiichi-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama, Japan PHONE: +81-76-472-2323; FAX: +81-76-472-2330 3