Health food capable of inhibiting epidermis thickening

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a health-care food or a health-care beverage that suppresses thickening of epidermis and a decrease in the amount of collagen such as epidermis. [Solution] A health food which contains a DNA-containing extract derived from fish white and an RNA-containing extract such as yeast, i.e., nucleoprotein (nucleic acid), collagen and arginine, and which further contains magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid, vitamin C, other vitamins, an emulsifier and the like, and which is obtained by ingestion of the above components. The effects of inhibiting epidermis thickening, inhibiting reduction of collagen such as dermis and the like or promoting increase of collagen such as dermis and the like are achieved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a health food for inhibiting thickening of the epidermis, and a health food for inhibiting thickening without reducing the amount of collagen in the dermis. BACKGROUND

[0002] The human epidermis prevents the loss of water and various biological components in the body, and functions to maintain the evaporation of water from the body surface and the constant body temperature. On the other hand, it also has a barrier function to protect the body from physical and chemical stimuli from the outside world, such as temperature, humidity, ultraviolet rays, and various chemicals. The human epidermis plays an extremely important role in the life activities of the organism through its physiological functions. However, changes in physiological functions accompanying environmental changes can lead to abnormal epidermis and often induce problems such as thickening of the epidermis and abnormal epidermal lipid metabolism due to disorder of epidermal renewal.

[0003] Chronic ultraviolet radiation on the face, back of the hand, and the like is a cause of epidermal abnormalities, epidermal thickening, and dry skin. Epidermal abnormalities and epidermal thickening not only have pathological effects on the human body, but also cause cosmetic losses such as loss of skin elasticity, decrease in skin moisture, and rough texture. In particular, in postmenopausal women, the skin is adversely affected due to hormonal changes and the like, and therefore it is important to improve these effects.

[0004] Patent Document 1 proposes to provide an epidermis thickening inhibitor that inhibits thickening of the epidermis caused by ultraviolet radiation, or as the inhibitor, to provide a cosmetic, a quasi-drug, a pharmaceutical, or a food and beverage containing ascorbic acid, an ascorbic acid derivative, or a salt thereof. Patent Document 2 proposes to provide an oral agent and a skin cosmetic containing glucosylceramide extracted from pineapple as a wrinkle inhibitor that is excellent in safety and has excellent effects in inhibiting wrinkles, decrease in the amount of water in the epidermis, and thickening of the epidermis caused by ultraviolet radiation. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-11254 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-241370 SUMMARY PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] In the patent document 1, although it is described that the epidermis thickening is inhibited by measuring the cell proliferation rate, there is no description of measuring the epidermis thickness, and sufficient effects based on the epidermis thickness are not shown. In addition, in the patent document 2, although it is described that the wrinkle volume rate, the wrinkle area rate, the wrinkle number, and the epidermis moisture amount, sufficient effects are not shown compared with the reference example 1. Also, in the description of the patent document 2, there is no data of actually measuring the epidermis thickness. Therefore, one of the problems is to provide a health food having sufficient effects based on the data of measuring the epidermis thickness.

[0007] The present inventors have attempted to analyze using a new evaluation method using rats, and have strived to develop a food and beverage that inhibits epidermis thickening. Also, an object of the present application is to provide a health food that inhibits epidermis thickening, and a health food that further has an effect of increasing collagen in the dermis or the like on this basis.

[0008] The present inventors have found that, by ingesting collagen, arginine, and nucleoprotein components of plant origin, fish origin, and dairy product origin, an effect of inhibiting epidermis thickening is obtained, and have further found that, by ingesting magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid, vitamin C, or the like, the effect of inhibiting epidermis thickening can be further exerted. The present inventors have completed the health food of the present application based on these findings.

[0009] The present application is completed based on the above findings. That is, one aspect of the present application is: 1. A health food containing collagen, nucleoprotein, and arginine, and having an effect of inhibiting epidermis thickening. 2. The health food according to 1, further containing one or more selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid, and vitamin C. 3. The health food according to 1, wherein the nucleoprotein is one or more selected from the group consisting of yeast-derived RNA, plant-derived RNA, fish-derived RNA, dairy product-derived RNA, and salmon milt-derived DNA. 4. The health food according to 1, wherein the content of the nucleoprotein is 10% by mass or more based on the mass of the collagen. 5. The health food according to 1, wherein the content of the nucleoprotein is 0.5% by mass or more based on the total mass of the health food. 6. The health food according to 1, wherein the nucleoprotein has di-nucleotides, tri-nucleotides, tetra-nucleotides, or penta-nucleotides. 7. The health food according to 1, wherein, in the nucleoprotein, the content of di-nucleotides is 0.8 to 2.0 with respect to the content of mono-nucleotides being 1. ​8. The health food according to claim 1, wherein the content of di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-nucleotides in the nucleoprotein is 20% or more, based on the content of the nucleoprotein. 9. The health food according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which further has an effect of increasing the content of collagen in the dermis.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] By the present application, a health food for inhibiting thickening of the epidermis, which is safe and has no side effects, can be provided. Furthermore, the health food according to the present application not only can inhibit reduction in the thickness of the epidermis and dermis or the content of collagen in the dermis, but also can promote an increase in the content of collagen in the dermis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a graph showing the DNA molecular weight in the salmon milt extract contained in the health food (beverage) before the improvement. (a) shows A distribution, and (b) shows B to F distribution. Figure 2 is a graph showing the DNA molecular weight in the salmon milt extract contained in the health food (beverage) after the improvement. (a) shows A distribution, and (b) shows B to F distribution. Figure 3 is a graph showing the average calorie intake in the first to sixth groups. Figure 4 is a graph showing the body weight at the time of dissection in the first to sixth groups. Figure 5 is a photograph showing the epidermis section of the rat. In the photograph, (1) is the epidermis section of the first group of rats, (2) is the epidermis section of the second group of rats, (3) is the epidermis section of the third group of rats, (4) is the epidermis section of the fourth group of rats, (5) is the epidermis section of the fifth group of rats, and (6) is the epidermis section of the sixth group of rats. Figure 6 is a graph showing the epidermis thickness of the first to sixth groups of rats. Figure 7 is a photograph showing the collagen-positive area section of the rat. In the photograph, (1) is the collagen-positive area section of the first group of rats, (2) is the collagen-positive area section of the second group of rats, (3) is the collagen-positive area section of the third group of rats, (4) is the collagen-positive area section of the fourth group of rats, (5) is the collagen-positive area section of the fifth group of rats, and (6) is the collagen-positive area section of the sixth group of rats. Figure 8 is a graph showing the collagen-positive area of the first to sixth groups of rats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present application will be described in more detail below. Health foods are generally a collective term for foods that are effective in maintaining or improving health, but there is no clear definition in administrative agencies and the like. In the present application, health foods also include snacks, beverages, jellies, tablets and capsules similar to pharmaceutical products (i.e., so-called supplements). Also, since health foods are not pharmaceutical products, there are no particular restrictions on the number of intakes, the amount of intake, the time of intake, and the like. The health food of the present application is characterized in that, by containing a combination of collagen, nucleoprotein, and arginine, it is possible to suppress thickening of the epidermis of the human body. Since thickening of the epidermis is a phenomenon that occurs easily in women, particularly postmenopausal women including menopausal women, intake of the health food of the present application is very useful for suppressing thickening of the epidermis in the above women. After the thickening of the epidermis is suppressed, women can maintain a moist skin and can maintain subcutaneous blood flow and capillary density well, and it is expected that the healthy life span will be extended. In addition, men have less secretion of estrogen, and the amount thereof does not decrease drastically. Therefore, the health food of the present application is an effective food for men in general in addition to postmenopausal women. As described above, the health food of the present application is intended for menopausal women, menopausal men, postmenopausal women, postmenopausal men, postmenopausal women, elderly women, and elderly men. In addition, other aspects of the present application also relate to a method of oral administration of the health food and use thereof.

[0013] Specific substances that can be added to the health food of the present application can be listed below, but are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, the ingredients contained in the health food of the present application will be described one by one.

[0014] Collagen can be listed as pig collagen peptide, fish collagen peptide (including gelatin), and collagen-containing mineral complex, and the like. The aforementioned collagen can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

[0015] It is known that collagen is present mainly in the dermis, and thus is capable of arranging skin texture and maintaining moisture. Therefore, the present inventors and the like prepared rats subjected to ovariectomy, prepared collagen, nucleoprotein, and other ingredients, and verified ingredients that suppress thickening of the epidermis and reduction of collagen in the dermis and the like by observing the state of thickening of the epidermis and the amount of collagen in the dermis and the like. Also, the present inventors and the like finally found health food ingredients having the effect of suppressing thickening of the epidermis and reduction of collagen in the dermis and the like based on the results of the observation test of the state of thickening of the epidermis and the amount of collagen in the dermis and the like.

[0016] The nucleic acid contained in the nucleoprotein is a general term for DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that maintains genetic information and RNA (ribonucleic acid) that transmits genetic information and synthesizes proteins from DNA information, and is a very important substance not only in cell proliferation and growth but also in maintaining life activities. The water-soluble nucleoprotein can be manufactured by removing skin, sinew, blood vessels, and the like from fish milt, refining to remove oil, and performing enzymatic decomposition treatment with a nuclease and a protease. As the fish milt, for example, fish milt of salmon, trout, herring, cod, and the like can be used.

[0017] The RNA can include yeast-derived RNA, plant-derived RNA, fish-derived RNA, and dairy product-derived RNA. As the yeast-derived RNA, Candida utilis is recognized as safe for consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been produced as a cell mass. The nucleic acid (RNA) extracted from the cell mass is used as a health food. As for yeast, in addition to Candida utilis, for example, there are beer yeast, milk yeast, and bread yeast, and an extract (particularly, RNA) from these yeasts can be used. In the present application, in addition to the yeast extract, RNA contained in plant-derived ingredients, fish-derived ingredients, and dairy product-derived ingredients can be used. In one aspect of the present application, the health food contains RNA other than the yeast extract. In the present application, although plant-derived ingredients such as corn, wheat, soybeans, and rice and fish- and dairy product-derived ingredients are used, they are not limited to these.

[0018] By taking collagen in combination with arginine, it is possible to activate the immune response, promote cell proliferation, promote the production of collagen, and thus it is expected to promote the epidermal thickening inhibitory effect of the taker, and therefore arginine can be contained in the health food of the present application. The arginine contained in the health food of the present application is not particularly limited as long as it can be added in a form that can be used in food, and can include arginine monomers or a form in which arginine molecules are combined with acid molecules.

[0019] By taking nucleoprotein in combination with zinc, it is possible to promote protein metabolism, activate whole-body metabolism including the skin, and thus it is expected to improve the skin problems of the taker, and therefore zinc can be contained in the health food of the present application. The zinc contained in the health food of the present application is not particularly limited as long as it can be added in a form that can be used in food, and can be taken in the form of zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, edible zinc yeast, and the like.

[0020] In order to promote energy metabolism and protein synthesis, maintain the function of all cells including blood vessels and nerves, and prevent arteriosclerosis and aging progression caused by magnesium deficiency, it is desirable to inhibit the maintenance and aging progression of the cells of the epidermis of the consumer, and thus magnesium can be contained in the health food of the present application. The magnesium carbonate contained in the health food of the present application is a medical product for medical use, and can be added in a form that can be used in food, without particular limitation. In the present application, magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride, and the like can also be added instead of, or partially instead of, the magnesium carbonate.

[0021] It is said that chondroitin has high water retention. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the water retention of the skin, to give the skin moisture, tightness, gloss, elasticity, and the like, to expect cosmetic and anti-aging effects, and to exert an effect of inhibiting thickening of the epidermis of the consumer, and thus chondroitin can be contained in the health food of the present application. The chondroitin contained in the health food of the present application is one of glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides), and examples thereof include chondroitin and derivatives thereof and salts thereof, i.e., chondroitin series, having a structure in which a sugar chain in which a disaccharide of D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) is repeated is combined with sulfuric acid.

[0022] Although hyaluronic acid is an ingredient originally present in a living body, it is known to decrease after reaching a peak at 20 years old. Therefore, in order to maintain moisture inside the skin, to give moisture and flexibility to the entire skin, hyaluronic acid can be contained in the health food of the present application. The hyaluronic acid contained in the health food of the present application is one of proteoglycans, and examples thereof include hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof and salts thereof, i.e., hyaluronic acid series, having a structure in which a disaccharide unit in which the 1-position of β-D-glucuronic acid is combined with the 3-position of β-D-N-acetyl-glucosamine is connected. In addition, the hyaluronic acid in the present application can include low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or a hyaluronic acid decomposition product obtained by treating such hyaluronic acid series with an enzyme such as hyaluronidase, or by heat and pressure treatment. Specific hyaluronic acid that can be added to the health food includes a cockcomb extract and the like. In addition, the hyaluronic acid or the salt thereof can be extracted from biological tissues such as animals (for example, in addition to a cockcomb, an umbilical cord, skin, synovial fluid, and the like), or can be obtained by culturing microorganisms, animal cells, or plant cells, or by chemical or enzymatic synthesis.

[0023] Vitamins are indispensable not only for beauty but also for health. Therefore, in order to avoid skin problems caused by deficiency, and to expect an effect of inhibiting thickening of the epidermis of the consumer, vitamins including vitamin C can be added to the health food of the present application. Vitamins are not particularly limited as long as they are vitamins or derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, which can exert the effects of the present application, and examples thereof include vitamin C (ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, ascorbic acid derivatives), other vitamins that can be generally contained in health food, and the like.

[0024] Citric acid can be used as an acidulant, a pH adjusting agent. As the pH adjusting agent, in addition to citric acid, sodium citrate, lactic acid, sodium lactate, glycolic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, sodium acetate, malic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, etc. can be used.

[0025] Other ingredients can include sweeteners such as fructose syrup, refined white sugar, rare sugar syrup, erythritol, and sucralose, fruit juices such as pineapple juice, preservatives such as sodium benzoate, coloring agents such as caramel coloring, emulsifiers (e.g., of soybean origin), flavors, acidulants, etc. In addition, in the present application, within a range that does not impair the effects of the present application, raw materials other than the above can be included. Examples of such raw materials can include water, excipients, antioxidants, preservatives, humectants, thickeners, buffers, adsorbents, solvents, stabilizers, surfactants, lubricants, water-soluble polymers, etc. When the health food of the present application contains these other ingredients, an appropriate amount of each ingredient can be added. Other pharmaceutically active compounds can also be included in the present application.

[0026] The amount of the health food of the present application varies depending on the age, body weight, sensitivity of the patient, the degree of skin condition, and the like. The health food, for example, can be taken in an amount of 30 ml or more, preferably 60 ml or more, at a time as a beverage. In the present application, the molecular weight of the DNA, and the composition ratio of the nucleoprotein and the collagen are important. The nucleoprotein (nucleic acid) can be formulated in a range of 0.5 mass% or more, preferably 1.5 mass% or more, more preferably 2.0 mass% or more, per 100 mass% of the food. The ratio of the collagen to the nucleoprotein is important. Therefore, the nucleoprotein (nucleic acid) can be formulated in a range of 10 mass% or more, preferably 15 mass%, more preferably 20 mass% or more, based on the mass of the collagen. With respect to the molecular weight of the DNA, the total content of the mononucleotide, dinucleotide, trinucleotide, tetranucleotide, and pentanucleotide can be formulated to be 20% or more, preferably 30% or more, more preferably 40% or more, particularly preferably 50% or more, with respect to the content of the nucleoprotein contained in the salmon milt extract. In the DNA molecular weight distribution of the present application, the contents of the dinucleotide, trinucleotide, tetranucleotide, and pentanucleotide are also important. The total content of the dinucleotide, trinucleotide, tetranucleotide, and pentanucleotide can be formulated to be 10% or more, preferably 20% or more, more preferably 25% or more, particularly preferably 30% or more, with respect to the content of the nucleoprotein contained in the salmon milt extract. Furthermore, in the DNA molecular weight distribution of the present application, the content ratio of the mononucleotide to the dinucleotide is also important. With respect to the content of the nucleoprotein contained in the salmon milt extract, the content of the dinucleotide can be formulated to be 0.7 to 2.0, preferably 0.8 to 2.0, more preferably 0.9 to 2.0, particularly preferably 0.9 to 1.5, with respect to the content of the mononucleotide. Furthermore, in the DNA molecular weight distribution of the present application, the contents of the dinucleotide and trinucleotide are also important. The content of the dinucleotide can be formulated to be 5% or more, preferably 10% or more, more preferably 13% or more, particularly preferably 15% or more, with respect to the content of the nucleoprotein contained in the salmon milt extract. Furthermore, the content of the trinucleotide can be formulated to be 1% or more, preferably 3% or more, more preferably 5% or more, particularly preferably 10% or more, with respect to the content of the nucleoprotein contained in the salmon milt extract.

[0027] The health food of the present application can be mixed with various components such as a known sweetener, acidifier, vitamin, and the like, and manufactured into a product that is preferred by the user. The health food of the present application, for example, can be a drink such as a beverage, and in addition, can be a solid, powder, or granular, and can be provided in the form of a jelly, dairy product such as yogurt, seasoning, processed food, supplement, tablet, capsule, sweet, snack, or the like. The manufacturing process of these health foods is not particularly limited, and for example, the desired health food can be manufactured by adding the sweetener or the like by an appropriate means during the process of the health food.

[0028] The health food of the present application is effective as a female technology and female nursing for alleviating a female-specific symptom, and is expected to improve skin thickening and the problem of a decrease in the amount of dermal collagen in menopausal people, postmenopausal people, postmenopausal women, and elderly people.

[0029] The components of the health food of the present application are shown below, for example. Health food example 1 Beverage (unit mass % of the formulation) (Examples of other additive components: flavoring agent / emulsifier / pigment, etc.) Health food example 2 Jelly (unit mass % of the formulation per 15 g) (Examples of other additive components: gelatin / chondroitin / hyaluronic acid / citric acid / sweetening agent / saccharide / fruit paste, etc.) Health food example 3 Capsule-type supplement (unit mass % of the formulation per 12 capsules) (Examples of other additive components: beer yeast / ginkgo biloba extract / odorless garlic extract / pig placenta extract / dextrin / gelatin / chondroitin / hyaluronic acid / copper / saccharide / sucrose fatty acid ester / sodium ferrous citrate / calcium pantothenate, etc.)

Example

[0030] Hereinafter, one aspect of the present application will be specifically described by citing examples, but the present application is not limited to the following examples. In addition, the rats and samples used in the examples are shown below. 1. Rat rearing: Female SD rats were introduced at 3 weeks of age, and were made to be average in body weight and divided into 6 groups (see below for grouping), and were fed with experimental feed after domestication. The 2nd, 4th and 6th groups were subjected to ovariectomy (OVX treatment) on the 7th day after the start of administration of the experimental sample, and postmenopausal pathological models were made. It is generally considered that epidermal water content decreases and the recovery ability of skin barrier function decreases after OVX treatment. OVX treatment is not only a postmenopausal model, but also a pathological model of abnormal skin condition and a pathological model of easy epidermal thickening. The 1st and 2nd groups were made to ingest placebo (drink) 1 mL / 300 g (body weight) / day by forced oral administration from 1 week before OVX treatment. The 3rd and 4th groups were made to ingest the health food (drink) before improvement of the present application (before improvement) 1 mL / 300 g (body weight) / day by forced oral administration from 1 week before OVX treatment. The 5th and 6th groups were made to ingest the health food (drink) after improvement of the present application (after improvement) of the DNA molecular weight distribution in the salmon roe extract 1 mL / 300 g (body weight) / day by forced oral administration from 1 week before OVX treatment. The rats of the 1st to 6th groups were dissected after 7 weeks of OVX treatment, and the skin was extracted for analysis.

[0031] 2. Materials and methods 2-1. Health food using the extract containing water-soluble nuclear protein before and after improvement A health food containing an extract containing water-soluble nuclear protein whose DNA molecular weight distribution in the salmon roe extract was improved, and a health food containing an extract containing water-soluble nuclear protein before improvement were prepared. The extract containing water-soluble nuclear protein after improvement was achieved by adjusting the hydrolysis conditions (temperature, enzyme amount, etc.), and the molecular weight distribution (oligonucleotide amount) was changed compared to the extract containing water-soluble nuclear protein before improvement. The graph of the molecular weight distribution is shown in Figure 1 (before improvement) and Figure 2 (after improvement). As can be seen from the comparison of Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the content of oligonucleotides increased. In particular, the effectiveness of trinucleotides was found, and therefore the content of trinucleotides was increased. Molecular weight distribution measuring device: HPLC Prominence system manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation [on-line degassing unit: DGU20A, pump unit (with high-pressure gradient unit): LC20AD, automatic sampler: SIL20AC (HT)] 2-2. Experimental animals and their rearing environment Female SD rats were purchased at 3 weeks of age from SLC, Inc., and were maintained in the animal rearing room at Kinki University.

[0032] 2-3. Grouping The rats were measured for body weight at the time of introduction, and were divided into groups so as to be average. The treatment method, drink type and number of each group were as follows. Group 1 : OVX was not performed, placebo beverage intake group, 6 rats Group 2 : OVX was performed, placebo beverage intake group, 7 rats Group 3 : OVX was not performed, health food (beverage) of the present invention before improvement intake group, 6 rats Group 4 : OVX was performed, health food (beverage) of the present invention before improvement intake group, 7 rats Group 5 : OVX was not performed, health food (beverage) of the present invention after improvement of DNA molecular weight distribution in salmon milt extract intake group, 6 rats Group 6 : OVX was performed, health food (beverage) of the present invention after improvement of DNA molecular weight distribution in salmon milt extract intake group, 7 rats Placebo beverage (unit mass %) (Other added ingredients: emulsifier / pigment, etc.)

[0033] 2-4. Diet The diet was prepared at Kinugasa University. The prepared diet was stored frozen until use. The composition is as follows. In addition, during the acclimation period, the entire group was fed with ordinary (experimental) diet MF (Toho Jozo Co., Ltd.).

[0034] 2-5. Food intake measurement The average intake of calories was calculated from the food intake measurement. The bedding was changed on the day before the food intake measurement, and the experimental diet was measured about 24 hours later. The difference between the mass of the experimental diet and the mass of the experimental diet that fell on the bedding and the mass of the experimental diet on the previous day was calculated as the result. The average intake of calories in Groups 1 to 6 is shown in Table 2. Figure 3

[0035] 2-6. Body weight measurement The body weight of the rats was measured at the time of introduction and once a week after the start of experimental diet feeding, between 10 and 11 a.m. The final body weight was significantly increased in the group in which OVX was performed, compared to the group in which OVX was not performed. There was no significant difference in the administration of the invention product in both the group in which OVX was not performed and the group in which OVX was performed. The body weight at the time of dissection in Groups 1 to 6 is shown in Table 3. Figure 4

[0036] 3. Epidermal thickness measurement, collagen content measurement method 3-1 Epidermal thickness measurement (HE staining) ​​Tissue specimens were dissected 7 weeks after OVX treatment, and skin was harvested for preparation. Epidermal thickness was assessed by measuring the thickness of the epidermal portion after HE staining of the tissue specimens. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the state of the rat's skin. Figure 5 The figures show the inner skin below, with the darker areas representing the epidermis. Comparing groups 1 and 2 of the placebo beverage intake group, the darker areas (epidermis) in group 2 treated with OVX were thicker than those in group 1 (without OVX treatment). Comparing groups 3 and 5, and groups 4 and 6 of the invention beverage intake group, the darker areas (epidermis) in groups 4 and 6 treated with OVX were of equal thickness compared to those in groups 3 and 5 (without OVX treatment). Figure 6 This is a chart measuring the epidermal thickness of rats. Comparing groups 1 and 2 of the placebo beverage intake group, the epidermal thickness of group 2 treated with OVX increased by approximately 6.7 μm above the average, compared to the epidermal thickness of group 1 without OVX treatment. Comparing groups 3 and 4 of the beverage intake group before the invention's modification, the epidermal thickness of group 4 treated with OVX increased by approximately 6.4 μm above the average, compared to the epidermal thickness of group 3 without OVX treatment. Comparing groups 5 and 6 of the beverage intake group after the invention's modification, the epidermal thickness of group 6 treated with OVX increased by approximately 2.6 μm above the average, compared to the epidermal thickness of group 5 without OVX treatment. From the above, it is presumed that epidermal thickening occurs through OVX treatment. Compared to the average epidermal thickness of the placebo group, the average epidermal thickness of the group consuming the modified health beverage of the invention was suppressed to below 1 / 2.5 (2.6 / 6.7). In addition, even when comparing the average epidermal thickness of the group that consumed the unmodified health drink with the average epidermal thickness of the group that consumed the modified health drink, the increase was reduced from 6.4 μm to 2.6 μm.

[0037] 3-2PSR staining The collagen content of the dermis is determined by observing the state of collagen-positive areas within the skin. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the state of collagen-positive areas in rats. Figure 7 The images below show the inner skin. (Represented by black and white photographs.) Figure 7The whiter part (the part in which the red color in the color photograph is brightly expressed as white) in each figure is the collagen-containing part of the dermis. Comparing the 1st and 2nd groups of the placebo beverage intake group with the 1st group not subjected to OVX treatment, the collagen-containing part of the 2nd group subjected to OVX treatment is less white. Comparing the 3rd and 5th groups and the 4th and 6th groups of the beverage intake group of the present application with the 3rd and 5th groups not subjected to OVX treatment, the collagen-containing part of the 4th and 6th groups subjected to OVX treatment is considerably more white. Figure 8 is a graph showing the collagen-positive area of the rats (%). Comparing the 1st and 2nd groups of the placebo beverage intake group with the 1st group not subjected to OVX treatment, the collagen-positive area of the 2nd group subjected to OVX treatment is reduced by about 12.5% on average. Comparing the 3rd and 4th groups of the beverage intake group of the present application with the 3rd group not subjected to OVX treatment, the collagen-positive area of the 4th group subjected to OVX treatment is increased by about 1.9% on average. Comparing the 5th and 6th groups of the beverage intake group of the present application with the 5th group not subjected to OVX treatment, the collagen-positive area of the 4th group subjected to OVX treatment is increased by about 3.8% on average. From the above, it is presumed that in the case of drinking a placebo, the collagen-positive area is reduced due to OVX treatment. However, by ingesting the health beverage of the present application, the collagen-positive area is not only not reduced, but is increased even in the case of OVX treatment. This shows that ingesting the health beverage of the present application not only has the effect of inhibiting the reduction of collagen, but also has the effect of promoting the increase of collagen.

Industrial applicability

[0038] The health food of the present application, by ingestion, can maintain the skin condition well. The product of the present application is useful as a cosmetic and health food.

Claims

1. A health food containing collagen, nucleoprotein, and arginine, and having an effect of inhibiting thickening of the epidermis.

2. The health food according to claim 1, further containing one or more selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, zinc, citric acid, and vitamin C.

3. The health food according to claim 1, wherein the nucleoprotein is one or more selected from the group consisting of yeast-derived RNA, plant-derived RNA, fish-derived RNA, dairy product-derived RNA, and salmon roe-derived DNA.

4. The health food according to claim 1, wherein the content of the nucleoprotein is 10% by mass or more, based on the mass of the collagen.

5. The health food according to claim 1, wherein the content of the nucleoprotein is 0.5% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the health food.

6. The health food according to claim 1, wherein the nucleoprotein has di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-nucleotides.

7. The health food according to claim 1, wherein, in the nucleoprotein, the content of di-nucleotides is 0.8 to 2.0, relative to the content of mono-nucleotides, which is 1.

8. The health food according to claim 1, wherein, in the nucleoprotein, the content of di-, tri-, tetra-, and penta-nucleotides is 20% or more, based on the content of the nucleoprotein.

9. The health food according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further having an effect of increasing the collagen content of the dermis.

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