With the urbanization of modern society, our living environment has changed rapidly. Our eating habits have particularly become a problem due to an unbalanced intake of nutrients as processed foods have become common, people have come to eat out more often and to eat too much gourmet food as a result of the so-called "gourmet boom". In addition, because of such factors as lack of exercise and the aging of society, various problems have been brought about including the increase of lifestyle-related diseases, the decline of physical strength in younger generations, and obesity. 
　Under these circumstances, people have now become extremely interested in their health. However, in this information-oriented society, it is not easy to select accurate information from all that is available on the subjects of balanced nutrition about balanced nutrition and the functions and actions of vitamins, carotenoids and fatty acids which would help us maintain and promote our good health. The Vitamin Information Center (VIC) was thus established in 1981 by Nippon Roche KK in order to provide accurate, up-to-date scientific information about the study of vitamins, carotenoids and fatty acids to medical, pharmaceutical, health and nutritional professionals as well as to consumers in general, and to contribute to the diffusion of accurate knowledge concerning health and nutrition. Currently, Roche Vitamin Japan KK has taken the business over from the Nippon Roche KK due to the division of the company, and the Center has celebrated its 20th anniversary, thanks to the support of many people. The Vitamin 
　 Information Center is conducting a wide range of advertising activities with the guidance and advice of the Vitamin Experts' Committee, consisting of experts on nutrition, lipids, free radicals, and vitaminology. In addition, there are similar centers in many countries in Europe, America, and Asia (21 countries worldwide). 
　 Furthermore, the periodical of this Center, "The VIC Newsletter" (published 4 or 5 times a year) was registered as an international registered publication in 1986 as No. ISSN･0913-1175. 
 
 
 

Advisors

Norimasa Hosoya, M.D.,Ph.D., Professor emeritus, University of Tokyo Trustee, Vitamin Society of Japan Advisor, Japanese Society of Nutritional and Food Science Council member, Food Quality Council of the Ministry of Health and Welfare Chairman, Committee of for the Recommended Dietary Allowance in Japan et al.

Osamu Igarashi, Ph.D., Professor emeritus, Ochanomizu University Chairman, Vitamin Society of Japan Japan Society for Bioscience, Biothechnology, and Agrochemistry  President, Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science Lipid peroxide & Free Radical Society of Japan et al.

Naotaka Hashizume, M.D., Professor, Toho University School of Medicine Chairman, Vitamin Society of Japan Chairman, The Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition  Trustee, Japan Society for the Study of Obesity Trustee, Japan Diabetes Society et al.

Toshikazu Yoshikawa, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine  Trustee, Vitamin Society of Japan The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Japan Cancer Association Japan Society of Clinical Oncology et al.