When viewed through the lens of modern medicine, the Donguibogam concept of body fluids holds a multifaceted meaning beyond simply drinking water. It is closely connected to the health of the extracellular matrix, including collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which are key components of the dermis layer. Collagen, which accounts for over 90% of the dermis layer, serves as the structural support of the skin, while elastin provides skin elasticity. Moreover, hyaluronic acid acts like a sponge, attracting moisture up to 1,000 times its own weight to keep the skin hydrated and plump. All of these can be considered modern manifestations of what Donguibogam describes as the skin's internal body fluids.
The problem is that these precious components—collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid—not only decrease naturally with age, but are also consumed and damaged more rapidly by modern lifestyle habits. Chronic stress causes the adrenal gland to excessively secrete the stress hormone cortisol, which promotes the activity of matrix metalloproteinase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen, sharply decreasing skin elasticity. In addition, irregular sleep patterns disrupt the skin's renewal cycle and reduce the secretion of hormones vital for skin health, such as growth hormone and melatonin. During deep sleep, skin cells repair damaged areas and synthesize new collagen; when sleep is deficient, this process cannot proceed smoothly, leaving the skin dull and slack.
Furthermore, diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates frequently consumed by modern individuals induce glycation. Excessive glucose in the bloodstream binds to proteins such as collagen and elastin to form advanced glycation end products, which make skin proteins rigid and inelastic, accelerating aging. The skin turns dull and loses radiance, much like fruit preserved in sugar. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is another major culprit that increases reactive oxygen species (free radicals) in the skin, destroying collagen and elastin.
Ultimately, modern medicine reveals that skin aging does not result simply from external environments or gravity alone, but from the complex interactions of our nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system. The Donguibogam principle that the lung governs skin and hair—meaning lung function influences the skin—can be interpreted in modern terms: the lung is a crucial organ that supplies oxygen through respiration and aids the circulation of qi and blood, which is essential for skin cell regeneration and nutritional supply. Furthermore, when the body's overall balance of body fluids collapses, the water content of skin cells drops and intercellular communication falters, weakening skin barrier function, worsening dryness, and deepening wrinkles. Fundamental resolution is difficult simply by spreading moisturizers on the skin surface; it is crucial to restore the skin's vitality by replenishing body fluids from within. This means establishing an optimal internal environment through healthy lifestyle habits, enhancing skin cell renewal, and properly preserving core dermis elements such as collagen and hyaluronic acid.
