To live a vibrant and fulfilling life in the era of 100-year lifespans — I gave a lecture at the University of Tokyo.

The other day, I gave a lecture at the University of Tokyo on the theme of "Unveiling the Secrets to Health in the Era of 100-Year Lifespans: The Latest Medical Treatments and Lifestyle Habits to Prevent Cancer, Dementia, and Bedriddenness."

Many people participated in the event, including those joining online. Thank you very much for your participation.

What I wanted to convey in this lecture was how to prevent cancer, dementia, and being bedridden, and how to maintain good health for as long as possible, in order to live a healthy life in this era of 100-year lifespans.

○ Not "after getting sick," but "before getting sick"

In this era of 100-year lifespans, it's not just about living a long life, but about staying healthy and living a life that's true to yourself for as long as possible.

Up until now, the primary role of medicine has been to detect and treat diseases. Of course, that remains important.

On the other hand, I believe that going forward, the concept of preventive medicine—which involves not only treating illnesses after they occur, but also understanding one's own physical condition before illness strikes and minimizing the risk of future illnesses—will become increasingly important.

It's important to regulate daily lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, and sleep. It's also crucial to pay attention to the function of your own immune system and the changes in your body as you age.

In my lecture, I discussed these concepts of preventive medicine, as well as early detection of cancer, immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and hydrogen inhalation therapy, which has seen significant research in recent years.

○ About hydrogen and health

Our bodies produce "reactive oxygen species" during processes such as breathing and creating energy from the food we eat.

While reactive oxygen species themselves are necessary for the body, it is known that an excess of them increases oxidative stress, putting a strain on cells and tissues.

Hydrogen is being studied from various perspectives, including its relationship with oxidative stress.

However, it's not as simple as saying, "Inhaling hydrogen will cure diseases."

To maintain good health, it's important not to rely on just one method, but rather to improve basic lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, and sleep, while also understanding your own body's condition and incorporating what you need at each stage.

As one of those options, I myself am paying attention to the potential of hydrogen.

○ For your health in 5 or 10 years

At the end of my lecture, I also talked about the health habits that I value in my daily life.

- Get moderate exercise - Get enough sleep - Eat a balanced diet - Maintain a healthy gut environment - Avoid excessive stress - Pay attention to changes in your physical condition

None of these are particularly special.

However, health isn't built in a day. I believe that these small daily efforts are what shape the body you'll have in 5 or 10 years.

When I'm feeling stressed, I make sure to take time to refresh my mind and body by walking my dog or working out at the gym.

Just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean they live a perfect life every day.

That's why I believe it's more important to find something you can enjoy and continue doing, rather than pushing yourself too hard "for the sake of your health."

○ Social gathering after the lecture

After the lecture, I had the opportunity to participate in a social gathering with many distinguished individuals, including Mr. Yukio Senmoto, the founder of KDDI, and Mr. Ligao Bao, a specially appointed researcher at the University of Tokyo and a board member of the International Hydrogen Medical Science Research Association.

It was a very meaningful time, as we exchanged opinions on health and medical topics that I couldn't fully cover in the lecture, and I was able to speak directly with all of the participants.

Speaking with people who have been at the forefront of their fields, I was reminded that health is not simply the absence of illness, but rather the ability to maintain connections with society and live a vibrant life true to oneself, no matter one's age.

"How can we live more healthily and richly in this era of 100-year lifespans?"

It's not just about living a long life, but about living a long, healthy, and authentic life.

I want to continue thinking about what medicine can do to address this issue.

○For your future health

Having had the opportunity to speak at such a valuable venue as the University of Tokyo, I was once again reminded of the high level of interest many people have in health and preventive medicine.

Furthermore, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the many connections I was able to make with everyone through the interactions that followed the lecture.

As we enter an era where people live to 100 years old, the role expected of healthcare is gradually changing.

Early detection and appropriate treatment of illnesses are, of course, crucial. However, I believe that one of the important roles of healthcare in the future is to encourage people to pay attention to their own bodies before they get sick and to maintain a healthy state for as long as possible.

At Immunus Clinic Nihonbashi, we don't just focus on the illness itself, but we also consider how each individual wants to age healthily in the future, and we strive to propose medical care tailored to each person's needs.

There is no single thing that can guarantee good health.

First, get to know your own body and gradually build up small changes in your daily life. This, I believe, will lead to better health five or ten years from now.

I hope this lecture will serve as an opportunity for you to think about the future health of yourself, your family, and your loved ones.

At Immunus Clinic Nihonbashi, we will continue to provide easy-to-understand information that will lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life for everyone, from daily health maintenance and preventive medicine to cancer treatment and regenerative medicine.

Once again, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who participated, and to all those involved who gave us this valuable opportunity.

Immunas Clinic Nihonbashi

Chairman Michio Sugino