[Good Brain 2022] Professor Han Chang-su: "Prevent Dementia by Living as if Speaking to Your Eight-Year-Old Child"

Professor Han Chang-su, Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital
Lecture on 'Brain Health Guidelines' for Dementia Prevention

Professor Han Chang-su of Korea University Guro Hospital is giving a lecture titled "Let's Protect Brain Health Like This" at the "Good Brain 2022 International Conference" hosted by Asia Economy on the 21st at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] "For dementia prevention, in short, you might have the same things you used to say to your 8-year-old child: run around, sing, meet friends and have fun, avoid carbonated drinks, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and continue doing those things."

Professor Han Chang-soo of the Department of Psychiatry at Korea University Guro Hospital summarized this in one sentence after giving a lecture titled 'Protecting Brain Health This Way' at the 'Good Brain 2022 International Conference' held on the 21st at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Professor Han defined dementia as a decline in originally possessed functions. Dementia is a condition where functions such as cognition and brain abilities, which were originally good, deteriorate. He said, "The brain has many functions, including concentration, judgment, learning ability, and the ability to recognize people. If any one of these starts to decline, a diagnosis of dementia can be made."

Professor Han explained that the concern regarding dementia goes beyond diagnosis and medication prescription to the residence and management of dementia patients. He said, "After dementia testing and results, medication will be prescribed, but now the issue is where they should live," adding, "It is difficult to care for them in families living apart from their children, and it is also hard to take care of them in nursing homes, which are costly." He continued, "Now, we need to think about how to care for these individuals and how to help them exercise, and provide that information."

To explain dementia management and prevention methods, Professor Han compared dementia and brain health to a 'car.' He said, "Even a luxury car cannot become new again after 10 years regardless of the lubricant used," and added, "Instead, you should drive the car gently and frequently change the lubricant and wiring," explaining that managing modifiable factors is key to dementia care.

He then introduced modifiable risk factors among the 12 dementia risk factors published in a Lancet paper. He said, "The 'low education level' factor does not require excessive effort; reading books and newspapers is sufficient," and "For hearing loss, many hearing aids are available on the market." He also pointed out areas where national support is needed because individual-level control is difficult. He said, "Loneliness cannot be managed alone, so families or the state need to pay attention, and lack of exercise can also be supported by the government," adding, "In Melbourne, Australia, the condition for receiving old-age pension is playing cricket at designated places, and in the UK, young people must participate in gathering meetings to receive support."

Diabetes is also a risk factor that can be prevented by oneself. Professor Han said, "Just as iron rusts when soaked in saltwater, blood vessels become sticky, and nerves are more easily damaged in diabetic conditions," adding, "Inflammation also persists, increasing dementia occurrence by 1.5 to 2 times or more." Regarding alcohol consumption, he explained that based on '21 standard drinks,' it is advisable to limit to about 3 bottles of soju or 7 500cc beers per week.

Professor Han emphasized that obesity management is also important for dementia prevention. He said, "It is not just about losing weight; waist circumference is very important," adding, "For both men and women in their 50s and 60s, it is best not to exceed a 34-inch waist circumference, but after age 70, excessive weight loss is also risky."

For a diet to prevent dementia, he recommended 'Ya·Saeng·Gyeon·Gwa·Ryu,' an acronym for vegetables, fish, nuts, fruit, and olive oil. Professor Han said, "The Mediterranean diet is said to prevent dementia and be good for vascular health, but it is hard to prepare it every morning," and recommended, "It is good to eat plenty of fruit and greens and avoid white rice." He likened it to nagging an 8-year-old child by saying, "Avoid sweet and salty foods, similar to what you would tell a child."