The kidneys are located behind the abdomen, with one on each side of the upper spine, making them a very important organ in the human body. Doctors believe that kidney deficiency refers to insufficient essence, energy, and yin and yang in the kidneys, so kidney deficiency is related to insufficient yang energy.
In daily life, some unhealthy habits in men can inadvertently damage the kidney yang, leading to a series of uncomfortable symptoms such as lower back pain, insomnia, hair loss, fatigue, and weakness.
01
What are the functions of the kidneys?
Maintaining the stability of the body’s internal environment
Maintaining body water and osmotic pressure balance: The kidneys can filter out excess water from the body, maintain water balance in the body, and prevent conditions like edema and high blood pressure.
Regulating electrolyte balance: The kidneys regulate various ions in the body complexly, maintaining ion balance in the body, including potassium, sodium, chloride, as well as calcium, magnesium, and phosphate ions.
Regulating acid-base balance: The kidneys can reabsorb bicarbonate, secrete hydrogen ions and acidic substances to ensure the body’s acid-base balance.
Detoxification function: Through the filtration and reabsorption functions of the glomerulus and renal tubules, the kidneys excrete metabolic waste products from the body through urine, thereby maintaining the stability of the internal environment. For example, the kidneys can excrete metabolic waste products produced by the body, such as urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, and various other substances.
Endocrine function
Secretion of erythropoietin: The kidneys can secrete erythropoietin to promote red blood cell production, thus maintaining the normal composition of blood and oxygen-carrying capacity.
Production of active substances: The renal tubular epithelial cells contain α1-hydroxylase, which can promote the production of vitamin D, maintaining the balance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The kidneys can also produce a variety of active substances such as renin, prostaglandins, etc., participating in various physiological and metabolic processes in the body.
In addition, the kidneys also have a filtration function, mainly carried out by the glomerulus, which is one of the most important physiological functions of the kidneys.
02
If men wake up without these 3 problems, it means they have “full kidney energy,” which is enviable
If men wake up without the following three problems, it may indicate that their kidney energy is relatively full, which is a healthy state worth envying:
1. Lower back soreness: Lower back pain is one of the external manifestations of kidney energy. If men feel lower back soreness or weakness upon waking up, or experience pain in the lower back, this could be a sign of insufficient kidney energy. On the contrary, if men wake up feeling comfortable in their lower back without soreness or pain, then their kidney energy may be relatively full.
2. Mental fatigue: The fullness or insufficiency of kidney energy can also affect a person’s mental state. If men feel mentally fatigued, tired, and weak upon waking up, this may be related to insufficient kidney energy. Conversely, if men wake up feeling energetic and mentally alert, then their kidney energy may be relatively full.
3. Abnormal urination: The kidneys are an important part of the urological system, and the fullness or insufficiency of kidney energy can also affect urination. If men experience abnormal urination upon waking up, such as frequency, urgency, pain, etc., this may be a sign of insufficient kidney energy. Conversely, if men urinate smoothly without any abnormal sensations, then their kidney energy may be relatively full.
Please note that the above are just some common observation indicators and cannot fully represent a person’s kidney energy status. If men continue to experience the above problems or if they worsen upon waking up, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention for professional diagnosis and treatment.
03
How to improve kidney function?
Adjust diet
Ensure adequate nutrition but avoid excessive intake of greasy and spicy foods. A diet with a mild flavor is preferable, avoiding spicy, raw, high-salt, and high-fat foods to reduce the metabolic burden on the kidneys.
Drink water moderately daily, but avoid drinking too much at once. Consume adequate high-quality protein, but do not exceed the total protein intake. If kidney disease has already occurred, strict adherence to the dietary principles of kidney disease patients is necessary, strictly limiting the intake of substances such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Increase exercise
Properly increasing exercise can maintain normal metabolism in the body, promote the circulation of qi and blood in the kidneys, and improve kidney function. Exercise appropriately according to individual physique, avoid factors detrimental to health such as staying up late, sitting for long periods, and engaging in intense physical activity.
Medication
If there are symptoms of kidney deficiency, appropriate drug treatment should be chosen under the guidance of a professional doctor, such as Liuwei Dihuang Wan, Jinkui Shenqi Wan, Fuzi Lizhong Wan, etc. Kidney disease patients should actively undergo treatment to protect the kidneys as much as possible and prevent further damage to kidney function.
Physical therapy
Methods such as acupuncture can be chosen, such as massage or acupuncture at acupuncture points such as Pishu, Shuigou, Yongquan, Fuli, Guanyuan to improve kidney function.
Develop good lifestyle habits
Strengthen life management, maintain regular routines, ensure adequate sleep, quit smoking and alcohol, and reduce mental and psychological stress.
Avoid factors that damage kidney function
Actively treat infections, diseases, and other factors that may lead to kidney function damage, and avoid contact with or consumption of nephrotoxic drugs.
04
These 4 foods can be called “natural kidney tonics,” beneficial for men when consumed regularly
Goji berries
Goji berries have the effect of nourishing kidney yin and can be soaked in water or used in soup, with a wide range of applications. In traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries are sweet in taste, neutral in nature, entering the liver, kidneys, and lungs, therefore, they have significant effects in nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting essence, nourishing dryness, moistening the skin, enhancing beauty, promoting hair growth, etc.
Chinese yam
Chinese yam is a food of medicinal and edible origin, and can help tonify the spleen, nourish the stomach, generate fluids in the lungs, and nourish the kidneys and astringe essence. Chinese yam is rich in nutrients, containing proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, and when consumed in moderation, it can help tonify the kidneys.
Chinese chives
Chinese chives, a food with medicinal properties, can help tonify the kidneys, warm the middle, promote qi circulation, and dispel stasis. Also known as “the herb that boosts yang,” Chinese chives have the function of tonifying the kidneys, invigorating the spleen, and consolidating essence and yang, and have good therapeutic effects on symptoms such as involuntary ejaculation.
Mulberries
Mulberries are a food of medicinal and edible origin with kidney-tonifying properties, especially black mulberries have a stronger effect in tonifying the kidneys. Mulberries can be paired with other Chinese herbal medicines such as Polygoni Multiflori, Ligustrum lucidum, and Eclipta prostrata for different kidney tonification effects.
