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Alarming 'Urine Therapy' Trend Promoted on Social Media

Alarming 'Urine Therapy' Trend Promoted on Social Media

From Tuổi Trẻ · (6m ago) Vietnamese Critical tone

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Social media trends promote 'urine therapy,' involving drinking or applying urine for health and beauty.
  • Medical experts state this practice lacks scientific basis, as urine contains waste products the body needs to eliminate.
  • Applying urine to skin or eyes can cause irritation, infection, and potential vision damage due to bacteria and harmful substances.

A disturbing trend is gaining traction on social media, where individuals are promoting 'urine therapy' – the practice of consuming or applying one's own urine for purported health and beauty benefits. Proponents claim this natural method detoxifies the body, enhances skin, and alleviates pain, all without conventional medicine.

Nước tiểu là sản phẩm bài tiết của thận, chứa các chất mà cơ thể cần loại bỏ, không phải là nguồn dưỡng chất để tái sử dụng.

— Bác sĩ Nguyễn Huy HoàngExplaining the biological function of urine and refuting claims that it has health benefits.

However, medical professionals strongly refute these claims. Dr. Nguyễn Huy Hoàng of the Vietnam Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Association emphasizes that urine is a waste product, not a source of nutrients. It contains substances like urea, creatinine, and salts that the kidneys filter out to maintain bodily balance. Reintroducing these waste products places an unnecessary burden on the kidneys and can disrupt electrolyte balance, potentially affecting cardiovascular function.

Nguy cơ càng cao khi nhiều người tin rằng nước tiểu vô trùng. Thực tế, các nghiên cứu hiện đại cho thấy ngay cả người khỏe mạnh, nước tiểu vẫn có thể chứa vi khuẩn với mật độ thấp.

— Bác sĩ HoàngAddressing the misconception that urine is sterile and highlighting the risk of bacterial infection.

Furthermore, the notion that urine is sterile is a dangerous misconception. Modern studies indicate that even in healthy individuals, urine can harbor bacteria. Applying it to the skin, especially sensitive areas or open wounds, can lead to inflammation, irritation, and infections. The risk is significantly higher when used on the eyes, a highly sensitive organ, potentially causing conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and even vision loss. While urea is used in cosmetics, the purified form in controlled concentrations is vastly different from the impure, bacteria-laden urine. The practice is not only unscientific but poses serious health risks.

Việc đưa dung dịch không đảm bảo vô trùng vào mắt có thể gây viêm kết mạc, loét giác mạc, thậm chí ảnh hưởng thị lực

— bác sĩ HoàngWarning about the severe consequences of applying urine to the eyes.
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Originally published by Tuổi Trẻ in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.