Agent for controlling and improving maillard reaction

PURPOSE:To provide a Maillard reaction-controlling and improving agent containing a specific extremely low toxic organic germanium compound as a main ingredient and capable of effectively controlling or improving the Maillard reaction in either of the early period and the late period. CONSTITUTION:The Maillard reaction-controlling and improving agent contains an organic germanium compound of formula I [R1-R3 are H, alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, (substituted)phenyl; X is OH, O-lower alkyl, amino, OY (Y is metal such as Na or K, lysozyme, basic group such as basic amino)] (a compound of formula II or III). As the organic germanium compound of formula I, the compound having the structure of formula IV in water is especially preferable. The agent controls or improves the Maillard reaction, thereby permitting to control or improve the atrophy of a body caused by the complication of a diabete or by aging phenomena and to retard the progress of the diseases, and the agent is a highly safe medicine.