A study was conducted to determine the effect of water running exercise (WRE) on renal function. The study involved 5 healthy males who performed maximal work by both WRE and bicycle ergometer exercise (BEE), and 6 males who performed head-out water immersion.
The results obtained were as follows;
1) The values of VO₂max and maximum heart rate (HRmax) during WRE and BEE were approximately similar, and blood lactate concentration after exercise was significantly higher then the basal value in both types of exercise, although the value was significantly higher after WRE than after BEE.
2) Compared with the resting values on land, significant decreases in HR and plasma aldosterone (Ald) concentration were noted in head-out water immersion, but plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) concentration and urinary volume were not changed significantly from the resting values.
3) The secretion of both plasma ADH and Ald was significantly increased at the end of both types of exercise. However, a larger increase in Ald and ADH was observed after BEE than after WRE.
4) The rate of urine flow was obviously decreased soon after both types of exercise; this was positively correlated with changes in creatinine clearance and negatively correlated with changes in Ald concentration.
The results of the present study suggest that a better venous return is induced by the water pressure and cardiac output during WRE, possibly inducing the release of atrial natriuretic fsctor (ANF) . ANF may inpair the release of ADH and Ald to a greater extent in WRE than in BEE.

The category “Food with Health Claim” contains “Food with Nutrient Function Claim” and “Food for Specified Health Use (FOSHU)”. The definition of “Food with Nutrient Function Claim” is “food used to supplement nutritional factors such as vitamins and minerals”. Once certain standards have been met, public sale of the item is possible. In concrete terms these requirements specify that the daily intake of the aforementioned nutritional factors must be within a certain range, as well as the display of health claims and warning labels.
At the same time, because FOSHU possess components capable of affecting physiological function, and their application is essentially as specific health foods, each food to be sold as FOSHU requires authorization from the Japanese Ministry of Health. In this article we focus on the various tests required for approval.

Of “foods for specified health use (FOSHU)”, approximately 90 kinds are presently indicated as “appropriate for hypertension”. In this review we describe their safety and effectiveness.

Among “food for specified health use” (FOSHU), approximately 100 are indicated in the treatment of life-style related diseases related to hypercholesterolemia; in the present review we describe the safety and effectiveness of several of these foods.

Among “food for specified health use” (FOSHU) useful in treating life-style related diseases related to arterial sclerosis are those which create a condition in which postprandial serum triglyceride levels fail to rise or are difficult to pass into the body mass. Approximately 70 such FOSHU are recognized as useful in treating hyperlipidemia; in the present review we describe the safety and effectiveness of several of these foods.

We report a rare case of a 73-year-old man with abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms complicated with Buerger's disease. He complained of abdominal pain, nausea and an abdominal pulsatile mass. Computed tomography and angiography revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm (58mm in diameter) and a thoracic aortic aneurysm (47mm in diameter). Y graft replacement was performed for abdominal aortic aneurysm. The size of the thoracic aortic aneurysm increased from 47mm to 60mm in 3 years, and hoarseness appeared. We then performed graft replacement of the thoracic aorta. In cases of Buerger's disease, we have to consider perfusion of the extremities when we need extracorporeal circulation, and we must shorten ischemic interval.

The sleep-inducing effect and safety of an herbal tea containing valerian and lemon balm were subject to a preliminary open pilot study. Subjects were 14 female volunteers (age 35 ± 11, BMI 21 ± 3 kg/m²) who complained of poor sleep. After obtaining informed consent, subjects took daily 2 cups of herbal teas containing valerian and lemon balm for 1 week, followed by a control week, during which they had two cups of hot water. OSA sleep questionnaires and VAS scales were recorded every day. Sleep quality increased at the 2^nd day after starting the tea, and sleep induction and sleep maintenance were improved in particular. Those whose complaints were severe experienced greater relief than those who complaint a little. Some cases reported transient sleepiness and gastrointestinal complaints. However, these symptoms disappeared spontaneously. The safety and effectiveness of this sleep-inducing herbal tea was ascertained.

An exploratory open-label human clinical study was performed in healthy adults with shoulder stiffness to evaluate the efficacy of Astaxanthin by means of measuring blood flow change in the shoulders and subjective questionnaires on physical conditions, including alleviation of stiffness before and after treatment. Two capsules containing 3 mg Astaxanthin each (6 mg in total) were administered once daily (6 mg a day) on days 1 to 28 (4 weeks) to 13 patients (3 men/10 women). All patients were assessed for efficacy and the study demonstrated significant improvements in physical conditions such as shoulder stiffness, physical fatigue, sense of mental irritation, sense of coldness in hands and feet, eye fatigue and eye bleariness. Significant increases of blood flow in shoulders were observed at the end of treatment using laser-doppler graphics. Blood tests conducted to confirm safety before and at the end of treatment showed no clinical differences, and no adverse side effects were reported. In conclusion, Astaxanthin appeared to safely alleviate stiff shoulders and improve other physical conditions during a 4-week open-label study.

Approximately 100 kinds of Foods for Specified Health Use (FOSHU) are used to “control postprandial elevated blood glucose level”. In this review, we describe their safety and effectiveness.

Fresh kiwi fruit freeze-dried juice has been traditionally used for constipation of elderly patients. Its effectiveness and safety was studied in 42 elderly patients (age 60–84: median age 67±6) suffering from mild to moderate constipation, taken as a food supplement of 6 capsules/3 times per day for 4 weeks following a one week control period, after receiving written informed consent. Bowel habits and generic quality of life questionnaires were monitored. Bowel habits such as evacuation time and stool quality improved from the 14^th day and continued for 28 days compared to the control period.
Quality of life in terms of external appearance (such as skin and edema), lumbago, and headache improved. In conclusion, freeze-dried fresh kiwi fruit juice had a laxative and QOL-improving effect on the elderly. No apparent adverse effects were observed.