Nutritional Regulation of Kidney Function and the Way to Nourish One's Nature: Analyzing the Dangers of "Sexual Sleepiness," Dietary Taboos for Kidney Disease, and Kidney-Nourishing Dietary Therapy [i]

Having sex during menstruation is harmful and has no benefit [i]. The "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces - Sexual Intercourse" states: "If a woman has intercourse before her menstruation has ended, it will cause illness" [i]. The "Collection of Original Diseases" also says: "If a woman has intercourse during her menstruation, it will damage her blood vessels and cause prolonged menstrual bleeding" [i]. Having sex during menstruation can cause a variety of diseases [i]. Therefore, women should abstain from sex during menstruation, which is in line with menstrual physiology and hygiene, as well as sexual hygiene, and is beneficial to the physical and mental health of both men and women [i]. Sexual intercourse should also be avoided during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The "Treatise on the Causes and Symptoms of Various Diseases" states: "After conception, it is best to abstain from sex and not engage in reckless activity, so as not to disturb the uterus" [i]. During pregnancy, it is necessary to protect the health of the mother and nourish the fetus, so hygiene and health care during pregnancy are very important [i]. The "Treatise on the Causes and Symptoms of Various Diseases" states that women's qi and blood have not recovered after childbirth. If they have sex, it will damage the meridians, deplete essence and blood, and introduce bacteria, thereby causing various gynecological diseases [i]. Modern medicine believes that it is not advisable to have sexual intercourse after a full meal[i]. This is because after a full meal, the food in the stomach has not been fully digested, and the flow of qi in the five internal organs is not smooth. Having sexual intercourse at this time will damage the five internal organs and six bowels, leading to symptoms such as lower back pain, stiff neck, edema, and abdominal distension[i]. Ancient people also had the same understanding. The "Sanyuan Yanshou Canzan Shu" says: "Excessive eating and sexual intercourse will cause blood and qi to overflow and seep into the large intestine[i]." After a full meal, the functions of the five internal organs and six bowels are concentrated on digesting and absorbing food[i]. If sexual intercourse is performed at this time, a lot of energy will be lost, and the gastrointestinal function will increase beyond its capacity[i]. It is also not advisable to have sexual intercourse after drinking alcohol. The "Neijing·Shanggu Tianzhen Lun" says: "Entering the bedroom while drunk will exhaust one's essence and dissipate one's true qi... therefore, one will decline by the age of fifty[i]." The "Shiji·Cang Gong Zhuan" says that a censor in the state of Qi died after vomiting pus because he had sexual intercourse after drinking alcohol[i]. The *Sanyuan Yanshou Canzan Shu* states, "Entering the bedroom while heavily intoxicated depletes one's energy and injures the liver; in men, this leads to reduced semen and impotence."[i] Therefore, entering the bedroom while intoxicated should be avoided.[i] Sexual health is crucial for human health and longevity, and normal sexual activity is an indispensable part of a happy and fulfilling life.[i] Sexual ability declines with age, which is a normal physiological change.[i] However, without other diseases or factors, aging alone does not cause a significant loss of ability.[i] According to a World Health Organization survey, 60%–75% of middle-aged men are in a sub-healthy state.[i] Experts point out that the causes of sub-health in middle-aged men include excessive fatigue, poor sleep, and decreased immunity.[i] In states of extreme anxiety, sadness, fear, depression, and despair, male sexual function can be significantly affected, even completely lost.[i] The heavy work and life pressures of modern society lead many middle-aged men to unknowingly lose all sexual interest or even experience sexual dormancy due to prolonged physical and mental exhaustion.[i] Experts believe that "sexual dormancy" in middle-aged men not only lowers their quality of life but also poses a threat to family harmony [i]. For men in a state of "sexual dormancy," the lack of sexual activity and the lack of outlet for sexual excitement can cause local congestion below the lumbosacral region, which is one of the reasons for many middle-aged men's back pain [i]. Prolonged abstinence can also cause endocrine disorders and disrupt physiological balance [i]. Studies have shown that elderly people with spouses live longer than those without spouses, and those with harmonious sexual relationships live longer than those without sexual activity or with disharmonious sexual relationships [i]. Although the frequency of intercourse may decrease in middle-aged couples, their sexual techniques are more advanced than when they were younger, and the increased psychological maturity of middle-aged people can lead to greater satisfaction for both partners [i]. ★ Smoking and excessive drinking damage sperm: The number of normal sperm in smokers decreases by about 10%, and if more than 20 to 30 cigarettes are smoked per day, the rate of sperm abnormalities increases significantly [i]. Smoking can also cause arteriosclerosis, and more than 90% of smokers have poor penile blood circulation [i]. Alcohol abuse has a significant impact on the reproductive system[i]. Alcohol abuse can accelerate the breakdown of testosterone in the body, resulting in a relative increase in estrogen levels, testicular atrophy, and potentially impotence[i]. Passionate sex can not only add spice to a man's mundane life and improve marital relationships, but also prevent the atrophy and degeneration of sexual organs and gonads[i]. Nourishing the kidneys is essential for maintaining sexual health[i]. Protein intake: Patients with chronic renal insufficiency need to limit their protein intake to reduce nitrogen retention in the blood and lessen the burden on the kidneys[i]. High-quality protein, such as animal protein like eggs, milk, and lean meat, should be selected[i]. Salt intake: Limiting salt intake is mainly for patients with edema and hypertension, because not limiting salt can aggravate water and sodium retention, making edema difficult to subside and causing high blood pressure[i]. Generally, daily salt intake should be controlled at 2-3 grams[i]. Water intake: After a urinary tract infection, in order to avoid and reduce the retention and reproduction of bacteria in the urinary tract, patients should drink more water and urinate frequently to achieve the purpose of frequently flushing the bladder and urethra[i]. Patients with urinary tract stones should also drink plenty of water, generally requiring 2400-3000ml per day, so that the daily urine output is maintained above 2000-2400ml[i]. ★Seven foods that are beneficial to the kidneys: Winter melon has good heat-clearing and diuretic effects, and is a good product for reducing edema in chronic nephritis; Pumpkin contains rich pectin, which can enhance the regenerative capacity of liver and kidney cells in patients with weakened liver and kidney function; Cabbage is slightly cold and sweet, and has a good health care effect on patients with renal edema; Red beans have good diuretic effects and can relieve alcohol and detoxify; Cooked pears help the kidneys excrete uric acid and prevent gout; Grapes can nourish the liver and kidneys, generate body fluids, strengthen muscles and tendons, and promote urination; Chestnuts can invigorate the spleen and stomach, and strengthen the kidneys and tendons[i]. [i]