The kidney is the most important organ in the human body. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said that “the kidneys store essence and govern bone marrow.” The kidneys hold the essence and vitality of a person. Individuals with strong kidneys and abundant kidney qi are energetic and physically strong. The essence and vitality within the kidneys are like a family’s food reserves; when the family’s food stores are full, individuals will not go hungry and can thrive. Therefore, each of us must protect our own food reserves. Especially for male friends, poor kidney health can affect male function, which is something men fear the most. Men are not as keen on health preservation as women, and many unhealthy habits can harm the kidneys. Below, let’s look at some bad habits that can harm the kidneys in men’s daily lives.
Men with poor kidney health generally exhibit these four bad habits. If you don’t have them, it indicates your kidneys are in good condition!
1. Holding in urine:
Many men are busy at work, sitting for hours without a chance to use the restroom. Some men, like drivers, hold their urine for long periods due to work. This can easily breed bacteria, leading to bladder infections. If bacteria travel up to the kidneys, it can cause kidney infections. Therefore, men should avoid holding in urine as much as possible.
2. Eating seafood and consuming alcohol:
Especially in coastal areas, it is common in summer to drink alcohol and eat seafood. Seafood contains high levels of protein and purines. The body can only absorb a certain amount of protein, and the excess needs to be excreted by the kidneys, burdening them. High purine levels can harm the kidneys, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to hyperuricemia, causing kidney diseases.
3. Overburdening the body:
Staying up late, working excessively, and not resting lead to overburdening the body. When the body is overburdened, it is primarily the kidneys that suffer because, as mentioned earlier, the kidneys are like food reserves.
4. Misusing medication:
Many people are fond of taking various tonics unnecessarily or consuming medications for minor issues. Some individuals like to drink herbal teas without understanding their ingredients, increasing the detoxification workload on the liver and kidneys, which harms the kidneys.
If you don’t have the above four bad habits, it indicates your kidney maintenance is good. In daily life, men looking to support kidney health can consider the following three actions:
1. Try to sleep before 11 p.m.:
Late nights are the most harmful to the kidneys. Therefore, try to ensure you get to sleep before 11 p.m. to guarantee sufficient and high-quality sleep. During sleep, the body’s cells rest, enhancing the body’s disease-fighting capabilities.
2. Soak feet regularly:
This is something many people struggle to do. There is an acupuncture point on the sole called the “Gushing Spring Point,” which is a significant acupoint for kidney maintenance and one of the five key acupoints for longevity. Stimulating this point by soaking your feet regularly can help tonify the kidneys, improve physical strength, and have certain effects on male gray hair and kidney deficiency.
3. Consume foods beneficial for the kidneys:
In Chinese medicine, the kidneys belong to the water element and are associated with black color. Therefore, consuming black-colored foods is beneficial for kidney maintenance, such as black beans, black fungus, black rice, etc.
