Abstract: A method for examining a biological fluid whereby quantitative examinations of various minerals and methionine, one of essential amino acids, contained in a biological fluid can be conducted simply, accurately, and at a low price is provided, wherein using an X-ray fluorescence analysis device, content ratios of minerals contained in a biological fluid of a subject which can be taken by the subject to sulfur originating in methionine contained therein are measured, contents of the sulfur and the minerals contained therein are calculated using the measured content ratios and calibration curves previously prepared by X-ray fluorescence analysis of standard solutions of the sulfur and the minerals, and a content of the methionine contained therein is calculated on the basis of the calculated content of the sulfur.

Abstract: A method for examining a biological fluid whereby quantitative examinations of various minerals and methionine, one of essential amino acids, contained in a biological fluid can be conducted simply, accurately, and at a low price is provided, wherein using an X-ray fluorescence analysis device, content ratios of minerals contained in a biological fluid of a subject which can be taken by the subject to sulfur originating in methionine contained therein are measured, contents of the sulfur and the minerals contained therein are calculated using the measured content ratios and calibration curves previously prepared by X-ray fluorescence analysis of standard solutions of the sulfur and the minerals, and a content of the methionine contained therein is calculated on the basis of the calculated content of the sulfur.

Abstract: The nutritionally and/or medically significant measured value on mineral elements contained in the body of a test subject can be detected by a hair test. The signal ratio PXRF(S) of said mineral element contained in the hair of said test subject to sulfur contained therein is measured by fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy, and then is multiplied by a conversion factor F to determine the element content MXRF of the mineral element in the hair. This conversion factor F is calculated according to the formula F=M0.ICP/P0.XRF(S), wherein P0XRF(S) is a reference signal ratio of the mineral element contained in reference hair collected from a person exclusive of the test subject, and M0.ICP is a reference element content of the mineral element therein as determined by inductivity coupled plasma mass spectroscopy.

Abstract: A fluororesin-coated electric wire cable is wound around a ring-shaped groove defined by an outer periphery of a cylinder and two flange edges immersed in an edible oil in a tank, forming each oscillating unit having a coil part; and the oscillating units are connected to an electromagnetic wave generator through a relay unit. Electromagnetic waves are irradiated from the coil parts based on an alternating current having a single frequency, an alternating current having a plurality of single frequencies different from one another, or an alternating current having a timewise varying frequency, the alternating currents each being within a frequency band of 4 kHz to 25 kHz, and a treatment based on a far-infrared heater or far-infrared ceramic is used combinedly therewith, to prevent deterioration of an edible oil or industrial oil.

Abstract: A fluororesin-coated electric wire cable is wound around a ring-shaped groove defined by an outer periphery of a cylinder and two flange edges immersed in an edible oil in a tank, forming each oscillating unit having a coil part; and the oscillating units are connected to an electromagnetic wave generator through a relay unit. Electromagnetic waves are irradiated from the coil parts based on an alternating current having a single frequency, an alternating current having a plurality of single frequencies different from one another, or an alternating current having a timewise varying frequency, the alternating currents each being within a frequency band of 4 kHz to 25 kHz, and a treatment based on a far-infrared heater or far-infrared ceramic is used combinedly therewith, to prevent deterioration of an edible oil or industrial oil.

Abstract: Inulin, which is contained at a high concentration in agave plants growing in arid areas, has been utilized hitherto exclusively in producing alcoholic drinks as tequila. It is intended to produce highly water-soluble inulin having a high added value from these plants. It is also intended to produce an agave syrup, tequila, an alcoholic drink or highly water-soluble inulin from the squeezed residue. Agave plant bulbs (several tens kg) having been employed in producing tequila called pina are cut into small pieces and enzymes therein are inactivated and the texture is softened either at room temperature or under heating. Next, the pieces are squeezed to give a liquid extract which is then refined by using an adsorbent resin. The refined product is employed either as such as a concentrate or after drying to give a powder.

Abstract: A zinc(II) complex which is lowly toxic, has high insulin-like activity, and is effectively usable as a hypoglycemic agent for the prevention or treatment of diabetes; a hypoglycemic agent containing the complex; a medicinal preparation which contains the complex and is useful as a preventive/remedy for diabetes; and a food containing the complex, such as a health food or supplementary health food. The hypoglycemic agent contains an organic zinc(II) complex having as a ligand a compound selected among aminoalkylpyridines, bis-optically active amino acids, bisaminoalkylcarboxylic acids, oligopeptides, oligopseudopeptides, di-substituted aminocarboxylic acids, ?- and ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids, vitamins, glutamine derivatives, etc.

Abstract: A zinc(II) complex which is lowly toxic, has high insulin-like activity, and is effectively usable as a hypoglycemic agent for the prevention or treatment of diabetes; a hypoglycemic agent containing the complex; a medicinal preparation which contains the complex and is useful as a preventive/remedy for diabetes; and a food containing the complex, such as a health food or supplementary health food. The hypoglycemic agent contains an organic zinc(II) complex having as a ligand a compound selected among aminoalkylpyridines, bis-optically active amino acids, bisaminoalkylcarboxylic acids, oligopeptides, oligopseudopeptides, di-substituted aminocarboxylic acids, ?- and ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids, vitamins, glutamine derivatives, etc.

Abstract: A zinc(II) complex which is lowly toxic, has high insulin-like activity, and is effectively usable as a hypoglycemic agent for the prevention or treatment of diabetes; a hypoglycemic agent containing the complex; a medicinal preparation which contains the complex and is useful as a preventive/remedy for diabetes; and a food containing the complex, such as a health food or supplementary health food. The hypoglycemic agent contains an organic zinc(II) complex having as a ligand a compound selected among aminoalkylpyridines, bis-optically active amino acids, bisaminoalkylcarboxylic acids, oligopeptides, oligopseudopeptides, di-substituted aminocarboxylic acids, ?- and ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids, vitamins, glutamine derivatives, etc.

Abstract: A zinc(II) complex which is lowly toxic, has high insulin-like activity, and is effectively usable as a hypoglycemic agent for the prevention or treatment of diabetes; a hypoglycemic agent containing the complex; a medicinal preparation which contains the complex and is useful as a preventive/remedy for diabetes; and a food containing the complex, such as a health food or supplementary health food. The hypoglycemic agent contains an organic zinc(II) complex having as a ligand a compound selected among aminoalkylpyridines, bis-optically active amino acids, bisaminoalkylcarboxylic acids, oligopeptides, oligopseudopeptides, di-substituted aminocarboxylic acids, ?- and ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids, vitamins, glutamine derivatives, etc.

Abstract: It is intended to provide foods such as health (supplementary) foods, nutrition (supplementary) foods and foods with health claims (foods for specified health uses and foods with nutrient function claims) containing zinc compositions which are less toxic and have a high insulin-like activity. Foods containing organic compounds capable of forming a complex with zinc and zinc sources. More specifically, foods such as health foods, health supplementary foods, nutrition foods nutrition supplementary foods and foods with health claims (foods for specified health uses and foods with nutrient function claims) containing organic compounds such as picolinic acid, L-amino acids, oligopeptides, niacin, maltol, etc. and organic zinc complexes or mineral acid salts of zinc containing these compounds as a ligand and having an effect of lowering blood glucose level.

Abstract: To relieve symptoms caused by mineral deficiency such as taste abnormality and skin damage due to zinc deficiency, anemia due to iron deficiency and decreased bone mineral content due to calcium deficiency to thereby improve quality of life (QOL). Namely, foods such as foods for specific health uses and foods with nutrient function claims containing 0.1% or marc, based on gram of a dry natural plant material comprising a papaya powder etc., of zinc which are prepared by nonproliferatively stirring and/or shaking the natural plant material in a state of being suspended in a solution containing 100 ppm or greater of zinc.

Abstract: Zinc (II) ions (zinc sulfate, zinc acetate and the like) originated in inorganic salts making it difficult for such ions to pass through biological membranes, thus being difficult to be incorporated in a human body. For overcoming such problems, it is necessary to develop food products with a prophylactic effect against diabetes, which contain zinc sources and have a lower toxicity than zinc (II) ions, a good stability and good fat-solubility. The present invention provides food products which have a prophylactic effect against diabetes using specified health foods, nutritional (functional) foods or the like containing natural substances that contain zinc in high concentrations (plants such as papaya, maca and the like, and yeasts such as baker's yeast, brewer's yeast and the like).

Abstract: A zinc(II) complex which is lowly toxic, has high insulin-like activity, and is effectively usable as a hypoglycemic agent for the prevention or treatment of diabetes; a hypoglycemic agent containing the complex; a medicinal preparation which contains the complex and is useful as a preventive/remedy for diabetes; and a food containing the complex, such as a health food or supplementary health food. The hypoglycemic agent contains an organic zinc(II) complex having as a ligand a compound selected among aminoalkylpyridines, bis-optically active amino acids, bisaminoalkylcarboxylic acids, oligopeptides, oligopseudopeptides, di-substituted aminocarboxylic acids, ?- and ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids, vitamins, glutamine derivatives, etc.

Abstract: It is intended to provide foods such as health (supplementary) foods, nutrition (supplementary) foods and foods with health claims (foods for specified health uses and foods with nutrient function claims) containing zinc compositions which are less toxic and have a high insulin-like activity. Foods containing organic compounds capable of forming a complex with zinc and zinc sources. More specifically, foods such as health foods, health supplementary foods, nutrition foods nutrition supplementary foods and foods with health claims (foods for specified health uses and foods with nutrient function claims) containing organic compounds such as picolinic acid, L-amino acids, oligopeptides, niacin, maltol, etc. and organic zinc complexes or mineral acid salts of zinc containing these compounds as a ligand and having an effect of lowering blood glucose level.

Abstract: A zinc(II) complex which is lowly toxic, has high insulin-like activity, and is effectively usable as a hypoglycemic agent for the prevention or treatment of diabetes; a hypoglycemic agent containing the complex; a medicinal preparation which contains the complex and is useful as a preventive/remedy for diabetes; and a food containing the complex, such as a health food or supplementary health food. The hypoglycemic agent contains an organic zinc(II) complex having as a ligand a compound selected among aminoalkylpyridines, bis-optically active amino acids, bisaminoalkylcarboxylic acids, oligopeptides, oligopseudopeptides, di-substituted aminocarboxylic acids, &agr;- and &bgr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids, vitamins, glutamine derivatives, etc.