The 'culprit' behind kidney failure even in healthy eaters

A Taiwanese man, despite a healthy lifestyle and diet, experienced severe kidney function decline due to a three-decade habit of smoking over one pack of cigarettes daily.

In a recent social media post, nephrologist Lin Xuanren, Director of the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit at Asia University Hospital in Taichung City, Taiwan, shared the case of a 50-year-old male patient. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a simple diet, the patient's kidney function continuously declined.

While contemplating the cause, the doctor noticed the lingering smell of cigarette smoke on the patient's clothes. The man admitted to a smoking addiction spanning more than 30 years, consuming over one pack daily. This habit was identified as the direct reason for his continuous decline in kidney function.

According to Dr. Lin, smoking not only raises the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases but also directly harms the kidneys. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine, conducted on over 10,000 adults, confirmed an inverse relationship between cigarette consumption and kidney health. This implies that increased smoking leads to poorer kidney detoxification capabilities and a faster rate of kidney failure.

Illustration: Luxembourg Times

The doctor explained that cigarettes contain thousands of compounds that damage the kidneys through various mechanisms. These include injuring the vascular endothelium, increasing oxidative stress, affecting renal blood flow, and accelerating glomerulosclerosis, all of which contribute to kidney function decline. Research also indicates that the 20-39 age group is particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of smoking, experiencing a faster rate of kidney failure. Heavy smokers face a higher risk of severe and sudden deterioration in kidney function.

Dr. Lin emphasized that while most kidney damage caused by smoking is irreversible, it is never too late to quit. Immediately stopping smoking can prevent further progression of damage. By preserving remaining kidney function, patients can hope to avoid the worst-case scenario of needing dialysis in the future.