Special Series Professor Yi Gyu-jae's 'Senior Water Care': From Brain Cell Atrophy to Rising Blood Sugar, Warnings of Cognitive and Metabolic Diseases Triggered by Chronic Dehydration (#5)

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Jin-ho] "To put it plainly, insufficient water intake becomes a direct catalyst for cognitive decline and metabolic disease in seniors, worsening both. Chronic dehydration occurring at the cellular level deals devastating damage to the brain and metabolic system."

Professor Yi Gyu-jae (Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine), a medical doctor, identified the harmful effects of chronic dehydration on the brain and metabolic system as the field modern medicine most urgently researches in senior healthcare.

Although many people treat water deficiency as merely simple fatigue, in reality deadly time bombs of cognitive disorders and metabolic disruption are activated inside the body.

The reporter investigated the medical mechanisms through which chronic dehydration threatens senior health, dividing them into two aspects.

■ Brain Cell Atrophy and Signal Disruption, the Brain's Cry Leading to Dementia and Acute Delirium

The reporter first asked about water deficiency's impact on cognitive function. Professor Yi explained two destructive mechanisms, saying: "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 water becomes insufficient, water movement through aquaporins—the water channels in cell membranes—becomes sluggish. This causes brain cells themselves to temporarily shrink.

Professor Yi warned that "this interferes with signal transmission between neurons, causing concentration decline and severe forgetfulness, and in the long term creates a fatal environment that increases dementia risk."

⊙ Acute Cognitive Disorder: Delirium

Particularly in seniors, when water becomes suddenly deficient, decreased blood volume temporarily cuts off oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain.

Professor Yi pointed out the medical reality, saying: "This easily causes acute delirium where someone appears fine during the day but suddenly talks nonsense or fails to recognize people at night. This is like the brain crying out from water deficiency."

■ Hormone Disruption and Blood Concentration, the Metabolic Vicious Cycle Triggering Diabetes and Hypertension

Professor Yi further conveyed that chronic dehydration damages the body's autonomic regulation system, directly triggering and worsening metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

⊙ Vasopressin Hormone Backfire

When the body lacks water, the brain begins excessively secreting 'vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone)' to conserve water by any means. The problem is that this hormone stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood and constricts blood vessels.

In other words, the act of not drinking water itself disrupts hormones and becomes a direct cause of simultaneously raising blood sugar and blood pressure.

⊙ Vicious Cycle from Blood Concentration

When the absolute amount of blood decreases from water deficiency, blood glucose concentration (blood sugar level) naturally rises. As blood becomes as thick as 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 Yi's explanation.

■ A Preventive Medicine Solution Addressing Brain and Metabolism Simultaneously: Alkaline Functional Water

Professor Yi Gyu-jae urged seniors to drink water regularly regardless of thirst to prevent cognitive decline and metabolic disease. However, he also added a sobering point that drinking just any water is merely a half-measure prescription.

"To increase insulin sensitivity, help blood sugar regulation, and induce activation of neurons, you must drink water in which essential minerals like magnesium and calcium are ionized and dissolved."

This means alkaline functional water rich in living essential minerals is the easiest and most powerful preventive medicine solution to simultaneously address senior brain health and metabolic disease. Changing one cup of water in daily life is key to preserving intelligence and vitality in the era of living to 100.

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 the sixth installment next week, we will conduct focused coverage on "current research activities on functional water in Japan's medical community and why South Korea should pay immediate attention."