Planning Series Medical Doctor Professor Lee Gyu-jae's 'Senior Water Care': Why Korea Must Open Its Eyes to Functional Water Proven by Super-Aged Japan (#6)
[News S=Reporter Kim Jin-ho] "Comparing Japan's functional water research status with Korea's reality is very timely, and at the same time, as a water scholar, it is something I must address. I am deeply sorry that Korea's water awareness and systems remain trapped in the outdated framework of 'safe and clean water.'"
Dr. Lee Gyu-jae, Professor at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, strongly emphasized why the Republic of Korea, facing a super-aged society, must now focus on 'functional water (水),' citing Japan's advanced examples. He directly addressed Japan's state-of-the-art functional water research activities that already lead the global market as preventive medicine in daily life, and the limitations of our beverage water culture.
■ Current Status of Functional Water Research and Activities in Japan's Medical Community: Science Rooted in National and Daily Life
The reporter first asked about Japan's specific activities leading the global functional water academic community. Professor Lee emphasized that Japan's activities are not confined to research within laboratories but are deeply rooted in national institutions and daily life of citizens.
⊙ Medical Verification and Early Institutionalization
Japan officially approved electrolyzed water devices that generate alkaline ionized water (academic name: alkaline reduced water) as a 'medical manufacturing device' as early as 1966.
Over the past 50 years, the medical community has accumulated vast clinical data on improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic diarrhea, relief of indigestion, and more.
⊙ Developed-Country-Style Preventive Medicine Research Centered on Academic Societies
Led by the 'Japan Functional Water Association,' numerous medical experts in Japan are actively clarifying the antioxidant mechanisms not only of alkaline reduced water but also hydrogen water and mineral water.
Research on how water removes active oxygen in the body and its effects on suppressing diabetes and cognitive decline (dementia) forms the mainstream of developed-country-style disease prevention research. This is the result of the Japanese government (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), businesses, and the medical community working closely together to refine safety standards and lead popularization.
■ Three Reasons Why Korea Should Immediately Pay Attention to Functional Water
On the other hand, Professor Lee made a painful diagnosis of Korea's reality. While we are fixated on removing harmful substances and cleanliness, the crisis of a super-aged society is at our doorstep.
The three main reasons Professor Lee identified for introducing functional water to Korean society are as follows.
⊙ Entry into a Super-Aged Society and the Necessity of Preventive Medicine
The Republic of Korea has the world's fastest-growing elderly population. Chronic dehydration, cognitive decline, and metabolic diseases among the senior generation are the main culprits that will explosively increase future social healthcare costs.
It is now imperative to actively shift the paradigm from treatment-centered medicine where drugs are taken after illness strikes, to 'preventive medicine' that blocks disease through the water we drink daily.
⊙ Transition from 'Clean Water' to 'Water Beneficial to the Body'
Our Food and Drug Administration also classifies alkaline ionizers as 'Class 2 medical devices' and officially recognizes their effectiveness in improving gastrointestinal symptoms; however, the awareness of most citizens remains at the basic stage of water purification for removing harmful substances.
However, for the senior generation whose bodily functions have significantly declined, an urgent paradigm shift is needed from ordinary water with almost no minerals to functional water with minerals and alkalinity that promote rapid bodily absorption and systemic vitality.
⊙ The Last Line of Defense Against Chronic Diseases in Koreans
Professor Lee presented his latest research results to demonstrate the survival value of functional water. "In my latest SCIE-level international journal research, I proved that magnesium-fortified alkaline mineral water has excellent effects in suppressing kidney cell damage (oxidative stress) caused by high blood sugar and protecting cells. For Korea's seniors vulnerable to chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, functional water is not a choice but a matter of survival."
■ Refinement of Water Standards and Commercialization, Urgent Need for Cooperation Between Academia and Industry
Professor Lee Gyu-jae recommended that the Republic of Korea must also broaden its paradigm regarding water and expedite institutional and technical improvements.
"Just as Japan commercialized diverse functional water beverages and technologies through refined water standards, our country urgently needs greater effort from academia and industry. When technological popularization is realized so that mineral-rich alkaline water can be easily accessed in daily life, the future of senior care in the Republic of Korea will also brighten."
Before seeking grand treatments, changing the essence of the water we drink daily is key. That is the first step of the most economical and certain preventive medicine to prevent the catastrophe of a super-aged society.
Then, what are the specific practical methods for choosing and correctly drinking good functional water in daily life? In the seventh installment next week, News S will conduct intensive reporting on the practical guidelines that readers will be most curious about: 'How to Distinguish Quality Functional Water That Revitalizes Your Body and Correct Functional Water Drinking Guide for Seniors.'