In recent years, many people have turned to various medications to protect their kidneys. However, it's important to recognize that unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits formed in daily life are constantly damaging your kidneys—you just may not have noticed. Therefore, protecting your kidneys must begin with changing these harmful habits.
The Most Harmful Habits to Your Kidneys
Neglecting Water Intake
Most men show little interest in drinking water, often dismissing its importance. Yet this habit can cause significant bodily harm.Our body's metabolic waste is primarily processed by the liver and kidneys. Despite comprising only 1% of body weight, the kidneys receive one-quarter of the heart's total output. Between 1 to 2 liters of blood flows through the kidneys every minute, meaning they handle far more waste than any other organ.The kidneys' most vital role is regulating the body's water and electrolyte balance, metabolizing waste products from physiological activities, and excreting them in urine. However, they require sufficient water to perform these functions effectively.
Excessive Beer Consumption
Individuals with existing kidney conditions who consume large quantities of beer without restraint risk uric acid deposits causing tubular obstruction, potentially leading to kidney failure.
Reduced kidney function can also impair the microcirculatory system, resulting in blocked renal vessels. Therefore, addressing kidney deficiency requires holistic regulation.
Two Major Symptoms of Kidney Deficiency in Men:
Symptom 1: Nocturia (Frequent Nighttime Urination)
Typically defined as urinating more than twice per night, or when nighttime urine volume exceeds one-quarter of the total daily output. In severe cases, urination occurs hourly at night, with volume approaching or exceeding daytime output. This condition is termed "nocturia."The defining characteristic is normal daytime urination with excessive nighttime voiding, often caused by kidney qi deficiency. To achieve a complete cure, the key lies in warming and supporting the innate kidney yang qi. This enhances the kidney's ability to consolidate and transform fluids, leading to the restoration of yang and the retreat of yin. The recommended traditional Chinese medicine formula is Yougui Pill.
Symptom 2: Dizziness and Tinnitus
Many have experienced dizziness—that unpleasant sensation of blurred vision, spinning, nausea, and vomiting. Often accompanied by ringing in the ears, it impairs hearing and may lead to deafness over time. These symptoms frequently stem from liver and kidney dysfunction.Traditional Chinese medicine states, "The kidneys store essence and produce marrow; marrow accumulates to form the brain." Thus, kidney deficiency can lead to insufficient marrow sea, depriving the brain of nourishment and causing dizziness and tinnitus. Treatment should focus on tonifying kidney qi. When essence is abundant, marrow becomes full, and dizziness and tinnitus naturally subside.
Common Misconceptions About Kidney Tonification
Misconception 1: Seeking "Kidney Tonification" for Back Pain, Fatigue, Dizziness, or Tinnitus
In nephrology clinics, physicians frequently encounter patients presenting with symptoms like back pain, fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, mental exhaustion, or forgetfulness, who specifically request "kidney tonification."
Some patients readily believe misleading advertisements, purchase medications indiscriminately, and blindly supplement their kidneys, only seeking medical attention after experiencing adverse reactions.
Misconception 2: Kidney-tonifying supplements imply "enhancing virility"
Numerous health products claiming to "protect," "nourish," or "tonify" the kidneys are commonly seen, often marketed under slogans like "strengthen the waist and kidneys" or "tonify kidneys and replenish essence."Some advertisements even explicitly use suggestive language like "Healthy kidneys mean you're healthy, I'm healthy, and everyone is healthy" or "Restore a man's vigor" to promote their efficacy. Consequently, many mistakenly believe that the kidneys are the primary organ affecting male sexual function, and that kidney deficiency leads to poor sexual performance. They assume taking kidney-tonifying supplements will naturally enhance sexual potency.
Misconception 3: Kidney deficiency and protection are solely men's concerns
Many believe kidney tonification and protection are exclusively male issues, leading women to lower their guard. This is incorrect. In reality, women are the group most prone to kidney disease, and kidney health is more closely linked to women than men.