Planning Series Medical Doctor Professor Lee Gyu-jae's 'Senior Water Care': From Brain Cell Atrophy to Rising Blood Sugar, Warning Signs of Cognitive and Metabolic Diseases Caused by Chronic Dehydration (#5)
[News S = Reporter Kim Jin-ho] “To put it bluntly, insufficient water intake becomes a direct trigger that induces and worsens cognitive decline and metabolic diseases in seniors. Chronic dehydration occurring at the cellular level deals a fatal blow to the brain and metabolic system.”
Medical Doctor Professor Lee Gyu-jae (Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine) identified the adverse effects of chronic dehydration on the brain and metabolic system as the field in which modern medicine is conducting research with the greatest alertness in senior healthcare.
While many people take water shortage lightly as mere fatigue, in reality a fatal time bomb of cognitive disorder and metabolic disruption operates within the body.
This reporting examined the medical mechanism by which chronic dehydration threatens senior health, dividing it into two aspects.
■ Brain Cell Atrophy and Signal Disorder, the Brain's Cry Leading to Dementia and Acute Delirium
The reporter first asked about the impact of fluid deficiency on cognitive function. Professor Lee explained two destructive mechanisms, stating, “Our brain is the organ with the most active metabolic activity and is approximately 80% water, making it extremely sensitive to dehydration.”
⊙ Brain Cell Atrophy and Chronic Cognitive Decline
When body fluid becomes insufficient, water movement through aquaporin, a water channel in cell membranes, becomes hindered. This causes brain cells themselves to temporarily shrink.
Professor Lee warned, “This interferes with signal transmission between neurons, causing concentration problems and severe forgetfulness, and in the long term creates a fatal environment that increases the risk of developing dementia.”
⊙ Triggering Acute Cognitive Disorder Delirium
Particularly in seniors, when fluid becomes acutely insufficient, decreased blood flow temporarily cuts off oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain.
Professor Lee pointed out the medical reality, stating, “This causes acute delirium phenomena where seniors who are fine during the day suddenly talk nonsense at night or fail to recognize people,” adding “This is like the brain crying out from water shortage.”
■ Hormone Disruption and Blood Concentration, the Metabolic Vicious Cycle Triggering Diabetes and Hypertension
Professor Lee then stated that chronic dehydration damages the body's autonomic regulation system, directly triggering and worsening metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
⊙ The Counterattack of Vasopressin Hormone
When the body lacks water, the brain begins excessively secreting ‘vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone)’ in an attempt to preserve fluid at all costs. The problem is that this hormone stimulates the liver to release sugar into the bloodstream and causes blood vessels to constrict.
In other words, not drinking water itself becomes a direct cause of hormone disruption that simultaneously raises blood sugar and blood pressure.
⊙ Vicious Cycle from Blood Concentration
When the absolute volume of blood decreases due to fluid deficiency, blood glucose concentration (blood sugar level) naturally rises. As blood becomes thick like corn syrup, the heart must pump harder to send this turbid blood throughout the body, creating the worst metabolic vicious cycle leading to hypertension and blood vessel damage, according to Professor Lee's explanation.
■ Preventive Medicine Solution to Address Both Brain and Metabolism, Alkaline Functional Water
Professor Lee Gyu-jae urged seniors to drink water regularly regardless of thirst to prevent cognitive decline and metabolic disease. However, he also added a painful point that drinking just any water is merely a half-measure prescription.
“To increase insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar while inducing activation of neurons, one must drink water in which essential minerals such as magnesium and calcium are ionized and dissolved.”
This means alkaline functional water rich with living essential minerals is the easiest and most powerful preventive medicine solution to simultaneously address senior brain health and metabolic disease. Preemptive management that changes a single cup of water in daily life is the key to preserving intelligence and vitality in the age of centenarians.
Then how are medical doctors in neighboring Japan, which has entered a super-aged society ahead of us, researching the value of this functional water and applying it to daily life?
In next week's sixth installment, intensive coverage will focus on ‘the current status of functional water research activities in Japanese medical circles and why South Korea should immediately pay attention to this.’