Mibyou Care is A Key for Healthy Life Elongation: The Role of Mibyou-Care Functional Foods

Abstract

Mibyou was originally defined in the traditional Chinese Medicine as the certain physiological state being not perfectly well but not ill and was recognized that the treatment of Mibyou is more important than treating diagnosable diseases. As the life span of human is getting sufficiently elongated, the demand for the healthy life expenditure increased, and the Mibyou is recognized to be the target for securing the healthy aging and wellness in the longevity society. Consequently, the concept of Mibyou is currently reevaluated, especially, in the preventive medicine. However, as sub-healthy condition is alternatively used for the Mibyou, the Mibyou was rather obscure concept, and thus, a new concept and definition of Mibyou was proposed by the Japan Mibyou Association (e.g., Japanese Society of Mibyou System) in 2006. According to the definition, the Mibyou is the specific physiological and disease condition distinct from the terminal diseases, which needs hospitalization and medical treatments, and includes such conditions that the individuals are able to enjoy normal life activity and well-being even if the clinical inspections show some abnormality. This made clear the targets of Mibyou care practices including dietary approach. For the beneficial use of functional foods in the Mibyou care practices, it is worthy to categorize the currently distributed functional foods into newly defined Mibyou-Care functional foods.