동결건조한 누에 '홍잠'…파킨슨병 증상 억제 효과<br /><br />New research has found that a daily dose of freeze-dried silkworms can help fight symptoms of Parkinson's disease.<br />The finding comes from a collaboration between the Rural Development Administration and Hallym University.<br />Kim Cheong-ah has this report.<br />These are silkworms before they turn into cocoons.<br />These silkworms are rich in protein, amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids.<br />Once they are steamed, freeze dried and crushed into powder, they are called "hongjam."<br />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.<br />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.<br />" We found that it showed resistance to Parkinson's disease. Various functional components in Hongjam, especially protein…"<br />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.<br />These results could breathe new life into the silkworm industry.<br />"With the development of caterpillar fungus and Hongjam, the added value created has tripled and income at farms has increased as well."<br />With that, the government plans to develop Hongjam into not only health supplements but as a potential treatment as well.<br />"We have plans to develop it for special medical-use food products or supplements or even all-natural medicine if conditions allow…"<br />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.<br />Kim Cheong-ah, Arirang News.<br />
