Kidneys Have Yin and Yang—Do Not 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. The state of kidney function is closely linked to overall health. TCM holds that the kidneys are the foundation of innate constitution and the source of life, responsible for storing essence, regulating water metabolism, supporting bones, and generating marrow. When kidney qi is abundant, one enjoys robust energy, strong bones and muscles, light steps, and sharp intellect. When kidney qi is deficient, yang energy weakens, causing lower back and knee soreness, increased susceptibility to wind-cold, and greater vulnerability to illness… So, how can we properly care for our precious kidneys? Recently, the reporter interviewed Liu Enqi, head of the Nephrology Department at Guangzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Female kidney dysfunction may lead to infertility
Liu stated that when people think of kidney disease, they usually imagine uremia or male impotence. But in fact, declining kidney function affects both men and women, not limited to sexual performance. Common symptoms include premature graying, fatigue, frequent nighttime urination, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, forgetfulness, night sweats, insomnia, cold extremities, lower back and knee soreness, and even lower back pain upon waking after intercourse. Men may experience nocturnal emission, impotence, or premature ejaculation. Women may suffer menstrual irregularity, reduced flow, clear vaginal discharge, decreased libido, and even infertility.
Impotence cases are becoming younger
"In clinical practice, we’ve observed that male impotence is increasingly appearing in younger patients," Liu explained. Besides modern work stress and overfatigue, a more critical factor is that many young people engage in sexual activity too early and too frequently, or masturbate excessively. Recently, a 19-year-old young man visited Liu, embarrassedly confessing his problem—impotence. He started having sex at age 17, very frequently—sometimes two to three times daily. In the past month, he experienced erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation during intercourse, prompting his visit.
TCM holds that although males reach sexual maturity at 16 and females at 14, marriage and childbearing should ideally occur after 30. Liu explained that sexual activity requires complex hormonal regulation and cortical excitement—both extremely taxing on the body.
Misleading remedies risk kidney damage
In recent years, apart from diseases themselves, medications have become one of the main threats to kidney health. In reality, even Chinese herbs are not entirely non-toxic. The primary causes of herb-induced kidney damage are non-medical overuse and blind faith in so-called "famous doctor’s prescriptions" and unregulated usage.
Do not supplement kidneys blindly
So how should we supplement kidneys? TCM distinguishes between kidney yin deficiency and kidney yang deficiency. Treatment must target the specific imbalance—using corresponding methods accordingly. For kidney yin deficiency, common symptoms include lung heat, dry throat, lower back and knee soreness, dizziness, tinnitus, and red tongue coating. Recommended foods include sea cucumber, wolfberry, soft-shelled turtle, and silver ear fungus. For kidney yang deficiency, symptoms include cold limbs, lethargy, lower back and tinnitus, pale tongue, and a plump body. Use warming foods like lamb, deer antler, cistanche, cinnamon bark, and epimedium.
Liu warns that people 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 red, swollen, painful 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 Links: Key indicators for judging kidney function
Those with good kidney function have good spirits, light steps, sound sleep, and sharp senses. Conversely, poor kidney function manifests as frequent nighttime urination, dizziness, blurred vision, lower back and leg weakness, dark eye circles, and hair loss.
Also, monitor daily urine volume. Normal adults should produce 1,000–2,000 ml (about 2–4 standard mineral water bottles) daily. Urine output exceeding 2,500 ml or falling below 800 ml may indicate kidney problems.