Interview with Professor Chin-Kun Wang

PROFESSOR Chin-Kun Wang’s work has earned him a place in the world’s Who’s Who. He is currently the president of the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF) in Taiwan as well as of the Nutrition Society of Taiwan. Prof Wang used to be the president of Chung Shan Medical University, and has received accolade in the area of biomedical development.

Vitafoods Asia Conference participants  who are particularly interested in food innovation and reformulation as part of the fight against obesity and chronic diseases, would have found Prof Wang’s session on bioactives substantial. In this interview, he shares some stats on GI incidences.

Please tell us about some of the current activities of the ISNFF.

The ISNFF is the Disciplinary Interest Group of IUFoST (approved 2008 in Shanghai).  It will be holding its 9th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida from 9^-13 October 2016. We have planned an exciting event with presentations from globally recognized experts in the field of nutraceuticals, functional foods and dietary supplements from some 20-plus countries. The oral and poster sessions offer a broad spectrum of topics featuring the latest developments in the field and future prospects and projected novelties.

Does ISNFF also play a role in the harmonization of regulations for nutraceuticals?

ISNFF is composed of academy, industry and government, and this mix provides a good platform for all. Every annual meeting, the topic of harmonization of regulations for nutraceuticals is part of discussions.

A good deal of research has substantiated the function of probiotics and prebiotics in maintaining good health. Have there been many conducted on Asian consumers in particular?

There has been a rapid growth of gastrointestinal diseases found in Asian populations during the past two decades. Both incidence and prevalence rates have shown a notable rise. GI diseases are increasingly the cause of morbidity and mortality in Asian countries.

In The World Cancer Research Fund’s annual ranking of the top 20 countries with the highest incidence of stomach cancer, Korea (42 per 100,000), Japan (30 per 100,000), and China (23 per 100,000) ranked as numbers 1, 3, and 5 respectively. Ulcerative colitis is now one of the most common GI diseases afflicting Asian countries. The major reason is the deficiency of prebiotics and prebiotics.

Are Asians (especially ASEANs) naturally aware they should be consuming prebiotics and probiotics regularly?

Colorectal cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Crohn’s disease are challenges for GI health in Asia (especially ASEAN population). In the past, Asians were not aware of it, but the situation is greatly changed because of there is evidence to support it. More and more Asians know that they should consume enough of prebiotics and probiotics.

Is it necessary for healthy individuals to consume both prebiotics and probiotics?

To maintain GI health always, it is necessary for heathy individuals to consume both prebiotics and probiotics.