Dementia prevention begins long before noticeable memory loss occurs, according to Professor Mook In-hee, a world-renowned authority on Alzheimer’s disease at Seoul National University College of Medicine. With over 30 years dedicated to studying the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s, Professor Mook challenges the common belief that dementia is an untreatable disease where patients are completely helpless once diagnosed. He emphasizes that early detection and active management can completely change the trajectory of the disease.
What the professor focuses on is not after dementia has begun, but before it starts. The golden time for dementia is not after the condition sets in, but before it happens. Changes in the brain due to Alzheimer’s begin long before memory decline becomes apparent, meaning the time we spot symptoms can be significantly later than when the disease actually started.
Between a normal state and full dementia symptoms lies a stage known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). If caught during this phase, the condition can be sufficiently managed before progressing into dementia.
Catching MCI early can indeed prevent progression to dementia, as demonstrated by various real-world cases. One 65-year-old woman with no prior symptoms underwent a routine health checkup that suggested cognitive decline, and a subsequent detailed exam diagnosed her with MCI. By combining exercise, diet adjustments, cognitive training, and medication, she has not progressed to dementia even after three years. This highlights why routine screening for dementia risk is crucial even without special symptoms.
Similarly, a man in his 50s whose mother suffered from Alzheimer’s utilized regular dementia checks starting in his mid-50s due to his high genetic risk. A PET scan at age 57 revealed micro-amyloid beta deposits. Through regular exercise, diet control, and increased social activities, he has maintained normal cognitive function well into his 60s. For those with family history, establishing rigorous management and prevention strategies dramatically increases the chances of blocking dementia.
Professor Mook notes that dementia should never be treated as a condition managed only in old age. Managing vascular and metabolic health starting in middle age is ultimately managing brain health. While people commonly think dementia is purely genetic, 95% of dementia cases are linked to lifestyle habits.
When asked what is best for preventing dementia, Professor Mook referenced Hippocrates: “All disease begins in the gut.” In Parkinson’s disease, constipation can present as an early symptom, and research shows that the gut and brain are deeply connected in Alzheimer’s as well. Toxic or inflammatory substances created in the gut can travel via the vagus nerve to impact the brain, and conversely, an abundance of brain toxins can affect the gut. If the intestinal barrier weakens, these toxic substances can re-enter the bloodstream, creating a harmful recurring cycle.
As an expert in the field, Professor Mook frequently consumes mackerel, but cut out a specific favorite food immediately upon turning 50. He strongly recommends that individuals undergo a specialized screening test starting at age 55 to catch brain changes long before memory deterioration sets in.
