Did you know that men over 40 are prone to kidney deficiency? Recently, the Guangdong Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Reproductive Medicine Committee released the "White Paper on Male Kidney Health in Guangdong Province." The findings reveal that the prevalence of kidney deficiency and related diseases among men aged 25 to 55 in Guangdong reaches 51.73%, with rates even higher among men aged 41 to 55.
The higher prevalence among middle-aged men aligns with human physiological changes, according to Professor Guo Jun, Director of Andrology at Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. As documented in the Huangdi Neijing over two millennia ago: "At eight years, a man's kidney qi solidifies; at sixteen, it reaches its peak; at twenty-four, it stabilizes; at thirty-two, muscles and bones flourish." Yet by "forty-eight," "kidney qi declines."This indicates that a man's peak kidney qi occurs between ages 20 and 40, when bodily functions reach optimal condition. After age 40, a decline begins.
From a Western medical perspective, men in their forties experience a gradual reduction in compensatory mechanisms with age. For instance, while young people can recover from fatigue with a single night's sleep, those around age 40 require longer recovery times.
Professor Zhang Bin from the Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, who participated in this study, analyzed that while men in their forties are often described as being in their prime—enjoying career success, charm, and relatively high income—they also face the highest levels of mental stress in their lives.Persistent depression and anxiety trigger a chain reaction affecting sleep, endocrine function, and cardiovascular health, leading to symptoms of kidney deficiency such as lower back pain, fatigue, decreased libido, excessive sweating, and irritability.
Many men in their 40s feel they are still young and push themselves relentlessly, often dismissing these symptoms. In reality, kidney deficiency is no minor issue—it may signal underlying visceral diseases.Professor Zhang Bin cautions that clinically, many individuals with sexual dysfunction are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease within two to three years. Since the blood vessels in the heart and brain are large while those in the reproductive system are small, problems in the smaller vessels—if not addressed promptly—inevitably lead to issues in the larger vessels.
For kidney deficiency, daily dietary adjustments are crucial. Director Guo Jun recommends a balanced approach to supplementation. For instance, incorporating foods like wood ear mushrooms, black sesame seeds, and black goji berries—which nourish the kidneys and fortify essence—can be beneficial based on personal preference. In cases of severe kidney deficiency, prompt medical consultation is essential.
A simple method to prevent minor ailments from worsening is to heed your body's signals: rise when you wake, rest when you feel tired. Fatigue is your body's signal to rest. Persisting despite fatigue allows minor damage to accumulate. Additionally, between ages 36 and 42, even without symptoms, prioritize urogenital system checkups for early detection and treatment.
This concludes our discussion on why men over 40 are prone to kidney deficiency. We hope this information has provided valuable insights. Finally, we sincerely wish you good health and happiness.