Abstract
Promotion of animal welfare benefits from animalspecific research, but it is also necessary to recognize and apply the concepts of human health maintenance and preventive medicine that have preceded it. Therefore, in this paper, I will first outline human preventive medicine from the perspective of “well‐being” as a measure against frailty and nutrition (wellness food).
It is important to focus on “preventive medicine” that delays the onset of illness and helps people live out their natural lifespan, rather than only “therapeutic medicine” that cures illnesses that have already worsened. This can be extrapolated quite closely from humans to animals.
Health is believed to comprise three elements. The first is commonly referred to as physical health. The second is the health of the brain and nervous system. The body may be healthy but the brain may be impaired, such as in mental illness or dementia. The third is mental health, which is deeply related to brain function. A healthy body, a healthy brain, and maintenance of mental health are important in modern society. I believe that true health can be achieved when these three elements of health are met.
