Metabolic syndrome-improving agent and medicine, supplement, functional food and food additive containing the same

摘要

A metabolic syndrome relieving agent that is free from a problem of side effects and can be taken for a long term is provided. Aurapten is used as an agent for relieving a metabolic syndrome. Since aurapten has functions of activating PPAR_α and PPAR_γ, promoting the secretion of adiponectin in adipocytes and inhibiting the generation of VLDLs in hepatic cells, it is possible to prevent or treat diseases such as insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism, type 2 diabetes, obesity, visceral fat obesity, hypertension, hyperlipemia, arteriosclerosis and the like and thus prevent or treat the metabolic syndrome. Also, as understood from the fact that citrus fruits such as a hassaku orange, a sweet summer orange or the like containing aurapten have been eaten for many years, they have no problems in terms of safety and have a low calorie content, and therefore, they can be taken for a long term. Further, since aurapten is tasteless and odorless, it does not impair the unique taste of a food when added to this food, so that it can be added to foods and taken.