Kidneys Have Yin and Yang—Don’t Blindly Supplement
When discussing kidneys, people usually know they govern male sexual function—but what else do they do? Actually, the kidneys’ functions extend far beyond that. Kidney health profoundly influences overall well-being. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the kidneys are the foundation of innate constitution and the source of life, responsible for storing essence, regulating water, supporting bones, and generating marrow. When kidney qi is abundant, one enjoys vigor, strong bones, light steps, and sharp thinking. When kidney qi is depleted, yang energy weakens, leading to sore lower back and knees, susceptibility to colds, and increased illness... So, how can we properly care for our precious kidneys? Journalist recently interviewed Dr. Liu Enqi, head of nephrology at Guangzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Female kidney dysfunction may cause infertility
Dr. Liu explained that when people think of kidney disease, they typically imagine uremia or male conditions like impotence. But actually, kidney function decline affects both sexes and isn’t limited to sexual symptoms. Common signs include premature graying, fatigue, frequent nighttime urination, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, forgetfulness, night sweats, insomnia, cold extremities, sore lower back and knees, and even lower back pain the next morning after intercourse. Men may experience nocturnal emissions, impotence, or premature ejaculation. Women may suffer menstrual irregularities, reduced flow, clear vaginal discharge, decreased libido, and even infertility.
Impotence cases are becoming younger
"In clinical practice, we’ve noticed that male impotence patients are increasingly young," Dr. Liu analyzed. Beyond modern work stress and overwork, the main reason lies in young people engaging in sexual activity too early and too frequently, or excessive masturbation. Recently, a young man aged 19 came to Dr. Liu seeking help, blushing as he confided his problem: impotence. He started sexual activity at 17, very frequently—sometimes twice or thrice daily. In the past month, he experienced erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation during intercourse, prompting his visit.
Traditional Chinese medicine notes that although males reach sexual maturity at 16 and females at 14, marriage should ideally wait until age 30 or 32. Dr. Liu explained that sexual activity requires complex endocrine regulation and cerebral cortex excitement—both extremely taxing on the body.
Be wary of false remedies harming the kidneys
In recent years, apart from diseases themselves, medications have become one of the main threats to kidney health. In fact, even traditional Chinese medicine isn’t entirely free of toxicity. The primary causes of herbal kidney damage are non-medical overuse and blind trust in so-called "famous doctor’s prescriptions"—irregular, unsafe usage.
Don’t supplement kidneys blindly
So how should we supplement kidneys? Traditional Chinese medicine distinguishes between kidney yin deficiency and kidney yang deficiency. Treatment must target the specific imbalance: use corresponding methods accordingly. For kidney yin deficiency—common symptoms include lung heat, dry throat, sore lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, red tongue coating—use nourishing foods like sea cucumber, goji berries, softshell turtle, and silver ear fungus. For kidney yang deficiency—common symptoms include cold limbs, lethargy, sore lower back and tinnitus, pale tongue, plump body—choose warming foods like mutton, deer antler, cistanche, cinnamon, and epimedium.
Dr. Liu warns that those with poor kidney function must pay special attention to diet. "Guangdong people often eat seafood with beer, but this severely damages the kidneys—most likely causing gout. Patients experience redness, swelling, and pain in joints at night, and severe cases may lead to chronic kidney failure." Additionally, those with poor kidney function should avoid salty foods, pickled items, greasy and spicy foods, and gas-producing foods like sweet potatoes, potatoes, and broad beans.
Related Link: Key indicators for judging kidney function
People with good kidney function enjoy good spirits, light steps, sound sleep, and sharp senses. Conversely, those with poor kidney function often have frequent nighttime urination, dizziness, blurred vision, sore lower back and legs, dark eye circles, and hair loss.
Also, monitor daily urine volume. Normal adults should urinate about 1000–2000 ml (equivalent to 2–4 mineral water bottles) daily. Urine output exceeding 2500 ml or falling below 800 ml may indicate kidney issues.