- TOP
- List of reports
- Is chlorella food beneficial for elderly people? A study of the benefits of carotenoids, folate, and homocysteine
Is chlorella food beneficial for elderly people? A study of the benefits of carotenoids, folate, and homocysteine
【Scientific information】
Research and Development Department, Sun Chlorella Corporation
Is chlorella food beneficial for elderly people?
A study of the benefits of carotenoids, folate, and homocysteine
Presented at the 4th Meeting of Japanese Association of Sarcopenia and Frailty
- Study objectives
- Chlorella contains not only folate which is important in the metabolism of homocysteine
associated with a risk of vascular disorder but also lutein, an antioxidative component in
the erythrocyte cell membrane. The bioavailability of folate contained in food decreases
with age, resulting in an increased level of homocysteine in blood, and the oxidation of
the erythrocyte cell membrane should be prevented to maintain cognitive function.
We studied the concentrations of 4 types of carotenoids including lutein, folate, and total homocysteine in elderly people who ingested chlorella for 1 year and examined whether they are useful in inhibiting and preventing frailty progression.
- Study method
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 50 healthy elderly men and women (60 years or older at study participation) assigned to the chlorella or placebo group (25 subjects per group). Study participants ingested 40 tablets (8g) of chlorella or placebo food daily (20 tablets each in morning/evening) for 1 year. In order to confirm the effect of ingestion, the concentrations of carotenoids, folate, and homocysteine in blood were measured before ingestion and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ingestion.
- Results
- In the chlorella group, the homocysteine level significantly decreased (P<0.001) at 3
months, and the folate level increased. In the placebo group, the homocysteine level
showed seasonal changes, and the folate level significantly decreased at 3 and 6
months (P<0.001). In addition, the levels of 4 types of carotenoids including lutein
significantly increased at 3 months (p<0.001) in the chlorella group only, and the level
was maintained until the end of the study. These results demonstrated that folate and
lutein contained in chlorella food are used in the body, suggesting that long-term
ingestion of chlorella food may be beneficial in the inhibition and prevention of frailty
progression.
Details
- Academic society：
- The 4th Meeting of Japanese Association of Sarcopenia and Frailty
- Title：
- Is chlorella food beneficial for elderly people? : A study of the benefits of carotenoids, folate, and homocysteine
- Authors：
- Masaki Fujishima, Eri Okumura, Toru Mizoguchi, Hideo Takekoshi
- Affiliation：
- Sun Chlorella Corporation
This leaflet reproduces presentations made in scientific journals or meetings and is not intended for sales or promotion of any product.
