동결건조한 누에 '홍잠'…파킨슨병 증상 억제 효과
New research has found that a daily dose of freeze-dried silkworms can help fight symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
The finding comes from a collaboration between the Rural Development Administration and Hallym University.
Kim Cheong-ah has this report.
These are silkworms before they turn into cocoons.
These silkworms are rich in protein, amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids.
Once they are steamed, freeze dried and crushed into powder, they are called "hongjam."
Researchers gave mice with Parkinson's disease a gram of this hongjam every day for 9 months, and found that their motor skill level was four times better.
What's more, the mice also saw nearly no reduction of dopamine, which is thought to be the main cause of Parkinson's disease... which is a central nervous system disorder that affects movement.
" We found that it showed resistance to Parkinson's disease. Various functional components in Hongjam, especially protein…"
Another remarkable finding was that when fruit flies with Parkinson's were given hongjam, their life expectancy exceeded 19 days, up 7 days from the average life expectancy.
These results could breathe new life into the silkworm industry.
"With the development of caterpillar fungus and Hongjam, the added value created has tripled and income at farms has increased as well."
With that, the government plans to develop Hongjam into not only health supplements but as a potential treatment as well.
"We have plans to develop it for special medical-use food products or supplements or even all-natural medicine if conditions allow…"
The rural development administration has already patented the product...and if all goes well, Hongjam is expected to help patients with Parkinson's disease as well as the overall silkworm farming industry.
Kim Cheong-ah, Arirang News.
