Introduction: Kidney deficiency seems to be a sensitive topic for many Chinese males. With the changing society, kidney tonifying has become a focal point for male groups that cannot be avoided, whether through TV ads, street propaganda, or casual conversations among friends and family, kidney tonifying is always an unavoidable topic.
However, the reasons behind it and the actual health problems are often not so straightforward. According to authoritative statistics, the diagnosed number of chronic kidney disease patients in China is as high as a staggering 131 million, which means that approximately one in ten people could be a kidney disease patient.
Even more worrisome is that due to the high incidence and often subtle early symptoms of kidney disease, many patients have low awareness of it, leading to a persistently high mortality rate related to kidney diseases.
Therefore, tonifying the kidneys has become a rigid health pursuit for many males in Chinese society. However, should we blindly pursue kidney tonifying? Are Chinese men really generally “kidney deficient”?
In response to this issue, the World Health Organization has suggested that kidney deficiency is to some extent considered as a culture-specific barrier, a product of specific cultural environments.
Professor Ma Xiaonian, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Sexology Association, also holds a similar view. He believes that what many Chinese people often refer to as kidney deficiency is, in many cases, a cultural disease stemming from collective anxiety about kidney dysfunction.
In fact, from the perspective of modern medicine, there is no concept of “kidney deficiency.” The kidney, as one of the important organs of the human body, mainly functions for metabolizing urine, excreting waste and excess water from the body, and maintaining water-electrolyte balance. It does not have a direct connection with physical abilities. Some so-called symptoms of kidney deficiency, such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness, and tinnitus, are often caused by other health issues rather than kidney deficiency.
Kidney Deficiency ≠Renal Insufficiency!
In the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney is considered a vital source of essence and energy for the human body. In Chinese medicine theory, the kidney is not just an anatomical organ but also a functional concept that encompasses human growth and development, reproductive functions, and the source of life activities.
The essence and energy of the kidney are fundamental to life activities and are crucial for maintaining normal bodily functions. Additionally, Chinese medicine believes that the kidney has functions like urine metabolism, participating in the excretion of waste in the body; promoting lung circulation to ensure smooth breathing; maintaining the stability of bones and teeth, protecting the integrity of the human body structure.
However, in modern clinical medicine, the understanding of “kidney function” is more specific and precise. Renal function mainly refers to the physiological function of the kidneys in the human body, including filtering metabolic waste products like urea, creatinine, and maintaining the internal balance of electrolytes and acid-base.
Furthermore, the kidneys also have essential endocrine functions, such as secreting renin, erythropoietin, etc., participating in blood pressure regulation and red blood cell production. Therefore, in clinical medicine, the assessment of whether kidney function is normal is usually done by testing relevant indicators in the blood and urine, such as creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, etc.
Although there are differences in the understanding of the kidney between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, it does not mean that the two are mutually exclusive. In fact, in treating certain diseases, both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine may use different theories and methods, but the goal is to achieve the treatment of diseases and restoration of health.
Therefore, when understanding the concepts of kidney deficiency and kidney function, we should fully recognize the differences and connections between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine to avoid confusing the two.
What are the functions of the kidneys?
The kidneys, as an important organ of the human body, have a multitude of complex functions that are awe-inspiring. We already know that the kidneys are primarily responsible for eliminating excess waste and water from the body, as well as regulating the body’s electrolyte and acid-base balance. But besides these basic physiological functions, the kidneys also play more intricate roles.
Endocrine:
The kidneys have endocrine functions, being able to secrete various hormones such as renin, prostaglandin, which play essential roles in regulating blood pressure, promoting red blood cell production, etc. Additionally, the kidneys are involved in the activation process of Vitamin D, which is crucial for maintaining bone health.
Immunity:
Secondly, the kidneys also play a vital role in the immune system. They filter harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses from the blood to prevent these pathogens from entering the body. Furthermore, the immune cells in the kidneys can identify and eliminate invading pathogens, safeguarding our bodies from disease invasion.
Temperature Regulation:
When the body is in a cold environment, the kidneys reduce urinary output, retaining body water and heat to help maintain warmth. Conversely, in a hot environment, the kidneys increase urinary output to assist in heat dissipation through sweat evaporation, maintaining stable body temperature.
Your kidneys are being overdrawn step by step! Correct these 5 “bad habits” as soon as possible.
Staying up Late:
Staying up late has become a daily habit for many people. However, prolonged late nights disrupt the body’s biological clock, affecting the kidneys’ detoxification and repair functions. Over time, the kidneys’ workload will gradually increase, leading to decreased kidney function. Therefore, ensuring an adequate amount of sleep and trying to fall asleep by 11 pm is an essential measure for protecting the kidneys.
Unhealthy Eating Habits:
Foods that are too salty, greasy, and high in protein can overload the kidneys. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet, consuming protein in moderation, reducing salt and fat intake, eating more fresh vegetables and fruits can help reduce the burden on the kidneys.
Holding Urine for Long Periods:
Urine staying in the bladder for too long can promote bacterial growth, leading to urinary tract infections and affecting the kidneys’ health. Therefore, developing a habit of urinating at regular intervals and avoiding holding urine for extended periods is essential.
Excessive Obesity:
Obesity can cause metabolic disorders in the body, leading to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, which can harm kidney health. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling weight through a balanced diet and moderate exercise is essential.
Drug Abuse:
Many drugs need to be metabolized and excreted through the kidneys. Prolonged drug abuse can increase the burden on the kidneys, even leading to drug-induced kidney damage. Therefore, following medical advice for medication and not indiscriminately abusing drugs is crucial.
If male wakes up and does not have these 3 problems, it means the “kidney qi” is full, making people envious.
When kidney function is impaired or abnormal issues arise, it not only affects the kidneys themselves but may also trigger systemic problems throughout the body, causing symptoms in other organs. This is because the kidneys, as vital organs of our body, filter blood, eliminate waste, maintain fluid balance, and perform various functions. Once problems arise, this balance is disrupted, negatively affecting other organs and systems.
Therefore, recognizing the “call for help” signals that the kidneys may be giving off is crucial. If we can promptly identify these symptoms in daily life, perhaps we can save kidney function in time and prevent diseases from progressing further.
Male friends in front of the screen, please pay attention! The following symptoms may be warning signals from the kidneys. If you do not experience any of the following symptoms, your kidneys may be relatively healthy, which is indeed commendable.
Lower back pain:
If a male does not feel any lower back pain symptoms when waking up in the morning, it is usually regarded as a positive signal, indicating that their kidney function is in good condition. Lower back pain, as a common symptom of kidney deficiency, is often closely related to kidney health. This is because the kidney is considered the “fundamental source” of the body in traditional Chinese medicine, deeply connected to the lower back region.
In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the kidneys are not just an important organ but a system that covers various life functions. It stores and releases the body’s essence and energy, providing power for various physiological activities. When kidney function declines and the essence is insufficient, the lower back, as the “external manifestation” of the kidneys, tends to show discomfort symptoms first, such as soreness, weakness, etc.
Therefore, when a male feels comfortable in the lower back, moves freely without any soreness or weakness after waking up, it often indicates that their kidney function is normal, and the kidney qi is sufficient. This not only signifies good health but also indicates having enough life vitality to cope with various challenges in daily life.
Exhaustion:
If a male does not experience mental exhaustion or fatigue upon waking up in the morning, it is often a positive signal, indicating that his kidney function is good. The kidneys are closely linked to a person’s mental state because they are considered the “fundamental source” in traditional Chinese medicine, governing essence, water metabolism, and related to a person’s energy, physical strength, and mental state.
When kidney function declines, the body’s metabolism and detoxification abilities are affected, which can lead to internal environmental disturbances, causing a range of mental issues. For example, a person may feel mentally tired, lack focus, experience memory decline, etc. These symptoms not only impact daily life and work efficiency but may also further burden the kidneys, leading to a vicious cycle.
Conversely, if a male feels mentally alert, energetic after waking up, it usually indicates that their kidney function is in good health, and the kidney qi is strong. This positive mental state not only enhances work and life efficiency but also helps maintain overall health and vitality.
Frequent Urination, Urgency:
If, after waking up in the morning, a male does not have problems like frequent urination, urgency, painful urination related to the urinary system, it is usually a positive sign, indicating that their kidney function is in a normal state. The kidneys, as a vital part of the human urinary system, play significant roles in filtering blood, removing waste, and maintaining internal fluid balance, crucial for body stability.
When kidney function declines, its filtration and detoxification capacity can be affected, leading to a build-up of waste and toxins in urine, causing a variety of urinary system issues. Common symptoms include frequent urination (increased frequency of urination), urgency (sudden need to urinate), dysuria (painful or uncomfortable urination), etc. These symptoms not only inconvenience daily life but can further burden the kidneys and affect overall health.
However, if a male finds their urinary system working normally after waking up, without the above discomfort, it usually indicates their kidney function is good, and the kidney qi is sufficient. This healthy state helps males maintain energy and vitality, enabling them to better face challenges in daily work and life.
How to improve kidney function?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle:
We need to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes adequate sleep since the kidneys are most active for detoxification and repair during rest. Additionally, proper exercise is also essential, like walking, jogging, swimming, aerobic exercises, which can help improve kidney blood circulation and enhance its function.
Balanced diet:
Controlling salt intake is necessary because high salt levels can lead to water retention in the body, increasing the burden on the kidneys.
Furthermore, consuming foods rich in quality proteins such as lean meat, fish, eggs, can provide necessary nutritional support for the kidneys. Additionally, eating antioxidant-rich foods like fresh vegetables and fruits can also protect the kidneys from damage.
Attention to potential health issues:
Apart from lifestyle and dietary adjustments, we also need to pay attention to some potential health issues. Chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes can cause damage to the kidneys, therefore regular check-ups, timely detection, and treatment of these conditions are necessary.
Maintaining a positive mindset:
Negative emotions like stress, anxiety can have adverse effects on the kidneys, so learning to adjust one’s emotions and maintaining a calm mindset is essential.
These 4 foods, dubbed as “natural kidney tonics,” have benefits when consumed by men regularly:
Black Sesame:
Black sesame is known as “black gold” for its richness in fat, protein, various vitamins, and minerals, especially high contents of iron, calcium, phosphorus, etc. These elements are crucial for male kidney health, consuming black sesame regularly can effectively alleviate kidney deficiency symptoms, enhance physical strength, and delay aging.
Walnuts:
Walnuts are among the best nuts, containing rich protein, fats, minerals, and vitamins, particularly the omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts are highly beneficial for male health. Eating walnuts regularly can improve blood circulation, enhance memory, and have good nourishing effects on the kidneys.
Goji Berries:
Goji berries are a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and a nutrient-rich food. They contain various amino acids, vitamins, and minerals and have effects of tonifying the kidney, replenishing essence, nourishing the liver, and improving eyesight. Regular consumption of goji berries can not only alleviate kidney deficiency symptoms but also enhance the body’s immunity and delay aging.
Black Soybeans:
Black soybeans are a nutrient-rich legume food containing abundant protein, fat, carbohydrates, as well as various vitamins and minerals. Black soybeans have the effects of nourishing the kidney, blood, and detoxification. Consuming black soybeans regularly can effectively alleviate kidney deficiency symptoms, enhance physical strength, and boost the body’s immunity.
