The kidney is a very important organ in the body, and kidney diseases significantly affect human health, even threatening life. Failure to pay attention to body maintenance at ordinary times often leads to health damage, especially irregular work and dietary habits of male friends nowadays, which are prone to have adverse effects on the kidneys.
What behaviors “harm the kidneys”? Suggestions for male friends: Try to correct them, don’t take them lightly.
1. Drinking too little water and always holding back urine:
City white-collar workers are usually busy with work and reluctant to go to the toilet frequently. They tend to hold their urine and end up going to the toilet when they can’t hold it anymore. Holding urine for a long time can lead to bladder accumulation, causing more pressure to flow back to the kidneys, leading to problems like nephritis. Therefore, holding urine seriously harms your kidney health. It is recommended to promptly urinate when you feel the urge and not refrain from drinking water just because of increased urination frequency. Insufficient water intake can lead to metabolic imbalances and increased concentrations in the body, eventually increasing the risk of kidney stones. Everyone should ensure a daily intake of at least 1500 milliliters of water, sip water slowly and frequently, allow the body to fully absorb water, and not resist the urge to urinate.
2. “Heavy taste” diets:
Some people believe that only those with hypertension need to control salt intake; if their blood pressure is not high, they do not need to control it deliberately. In reality, the majority of salt is excreted by the kidneys. High sodium elements in the diet can burden the kidneys. To maintain kidney health, avoid eating too salty foods. Try to limit daily salt intake to less than 6 grams, especially for people with hypertension, whose daily salt intake should not exceed 4 grams.
3. Indiscriminate consumption of protein powder:
Many people who are health-conscious may voluntarily buy so-called health supplements, among which protein powder is one. Proteins metabolize in the body, producing many large nitrogen-containing waste products. Blindly consuming protein powder can burden the kidneys. Therefore, male friends should not blindly supplement so-called health products; they should pay more attention to their diet. Eating a daily egg, a bag of milk, adding some miscellaneous beans when cooking rice, and a bit of lean meat can basically meet the daily protein requirements; there is no need to supplement deliberately.
4. Misuse of medications:
Some people are very concerned about changes in their body and tend to take medications at the slightest discomfort, which is very detrimental to their health. Most medications need to be excreted through the kidneys, leading to serious damage to the kidneys. Frequent and excessive use of medications can easily increase the risk of kidney diseases. Some people mistakenly believe that traditional Chinese medicine is all-natural, assuming it is safer than Western medicine. However, natural botanical ingredients are more complex and may also harm kidney health. Therefore, if you feel unwell, seek medical attention promptly and take medication under professional guidance.
Kidneys are crucial for human health; a decline in kidney function will affect the excretion of toxins and waste in the body. Therefore, it is essential to maintain kidney health in daily life. To strengthen the kidneys, follow these steps and gradually improve!
First: Diet
To maintain kidney health, eat more black-colored foods. According to traditional Chinese medicine, black foods nourish the kidneys. For example, black beans help tonify the kidneys, black sesame aids liver and kidney nourishment, moisturizes the five organs, and mulberries help tonify yin, nourish blood, delay aging. However, those looking to protect their kidneys should limit their intake of red meat, such as processed meats like bacon and ham, which have high salt content. Eating too much of these foods can often overburden the kidneys, leading to adverse effects on kidney function. It is better to control your diet.
Second: Fluid Intake
Excessive alcohol consumption can most easily damage liver and kidney function. Alcohol affects the body’s nitrogen balance, increases protein breakdown, and may even raise the urine nitrogen content in the blood, making it easier for blood creatinine to increase. So, to maintain kidney health, it is advised to avoid alcohol. Drinking tea is one of the simplest ways to nourish the kidneys. Drinking a little light tea can help accelerate urine excretion, reduce the accumulation of harmful substances in the kidneys, alleviate kidney metabolic burdens. It is recommended to drink a bit of dandelion tea, corn silk tea, and goji berry tea, all of which are excellent choices.
Third: Sleep
Lack of sleep due to staying up late can significantly increase the risk of proteinuria and rapid decline in kidney function, further endangering certain parts of the body, especially those prone to renal failure. People who have experienced excessive staying up late and insufficient rest should change this habit and ensure an adequate night’s sleep. Enter deep sleep before 11 p.m., ensuring 7-8 hours of rest time and taking proper naps, which help maintain kidney health and keep you energetic in the afternoon.
Fourth: Soak
The soles of the feet are the convergence areas of various meridians, with acupoints connecting to the body’s organs. Regularly soaking your feet can open the meridians, improve blood circulation, and benefit overall health. Soaking feet around 9 p.m. plays a significant role in the health of the kidneys. The kidney meridian starts from the sole of the foot, making it essential for kidney care. When soaking feet, ensure the water temperature is 38-40°C. Soak for about 20 minutes to induce slight sweating, and consider adding ingredients such as ginger, peppercorn, and cinnamon for a better effect.
If time allows, after soaking your feet, you can massage the soles of your feet appropriately, as it helps promote blood circulation and further regulate the health of internal organs. After soaking your feet, avoid engaging in any vigorous activities to help you sleep better.
