Over 2 million people in Taiwan currently suffer from chronic kidney disease, meaning one in 8 adults lives with the condition, according to China Times. Faced with this reality, Dr. Hung Tai-hsiung, a kidney specialist with 20 years of experience, stated that many daily lifestyle habits are silently destroying kidneys. In a video shared on his personal YouTube channel, he warned about 10 common but often overlooked behaviors that damage kidneys.
The first common mistake is the incorrect use of food containers, such as using plastic bags for hot soup, microwaving non-standard containers, or using dishes made from melamine plastic.
This can release harmful substances like plasticizers under high temperatures, which, with prolonged exposure, can affect kidney health and even lead to kidney failure. Additionally, the improper use of dietary supplements and functional foods can inadvertently increase the excretory burden, gradually damaging the kidneys.
Furthermore, a sedentary lifestyle, characterized by sitting for over 6 hours daily without physical activity, is considered harmful. It slows blood circulation and reduces the body's metabolic capacity, negatively impacting kidney function.
Regarding the habit of holding urine, this behavior can easily lead to the formation of kidney stones and urinary tract stones, causing prostatitis in men and chronic infections in women, all of which are direct causes of kidney failure.
The proliferation of sugary drinks, snacks, and processed foods rich in additives is also accelerating kidney aging because the body has to process excessive sugar.
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Illustration: Revere Health
Additionally, the self-administered overuse of painkillers, antibiotics, and over-the-counter medications to treat chronic headaches or arthritis is a leading factor causing severe kidney function decline over time.
Moreover, modern life's pressures, coupled with habits like staying up late to watch movies or use smartphones, are severely reducing people's sleep time, directly harming the kidneys' self-repair mechanisms.
Smoking, combined with frequent exposure to PM2.5 fine dust pollution, also increases insulin resistance and blood pressure, which are silent threats to the excretory system. Simultaneously, a diet consistently high in fat, salt, and sugar promotes conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and gout—diseases closely linked to excessive eating habits and the kidneys' greatest adversaries.
Finally, insufficient water intake is also a mistake, as kidneys always require a substantial amount of water to metabolize and effectively eliminate toxins. If the body is dehydrated, the glomerular filtration rate will decrease, easily triggering many dangerous chronic diseases.
To effectively prevent chronic kidney disease, kidney specialist Dr. Chen Zhizhong recommends that people first closely monitor basic health indicators: blood sugar, blood lipids, blood pressure, uric acid, and proteinuria, to ensure they remain within a safe range.
Individuals should also proactively avoid overworking, absolutely refrain from smoking, not trust unsubstantiated folk remedies, avoid holding urine, and stay away from nephrotoxic drugs such as unknown herbal remedies or painkillers and antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.
Instead, each person should adopt a light daily diet with low salt, low fat, and low sugar standards, increase fiber and green vegetable intake, and maintain a healthy weight to avoid obesity.
Binh Minh (According to China Times)
