Self-Medicating Middle-Aged Adults Are Worsening Kidney Disease, Doctors Warn

Doctors in Taiwan are warning that some middle-aged patients who buy supplements to “protect” their kidneys may instead accelerate the disease they are trying to prevent.

Mortality from nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and kidney disease among people aged 45 to 64 fell to 9.2 per 100,000 in 2019, then rebounded. It ranged from 9.9 to 10.4 over the past five years and rose from 9.9 in 2024 to 10.1 last year, according to Health Ministry cause-of-death statistics.

Huang Shang-chih, a nephrologist at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, said patients often have several conditions at once, including diabetes, cirrhosis, kidney failure and infections. Those overlapping illnesses can affect which condition appears as the main cause of death in official statistics.

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Before you put it in your mouth, ask a pharmacist one more question.

Doctors said metabolic syndrome is affecting younger people, while early-onset type 2 diabetes is becoming more common. Sung Chun-ming of National Cheng Kung University Hospital said middle-aged patients often follow medical advice poorly, miss opportunities for care and buy over-the-counter medicines or health products without medical guidance.

Pharmacist Huang Yen-ju warned that some painkillers can affect blood flow to the kidneys. He urged people to consult a pharmacist before taking medicines and avoid products from unknown sources. The Food and Drug Administration said it penalised 17,915 cases involving illegal food advertising from 2023 through 2025, with fines totalling NT$836.57 million, and would press local authorities to strengthen enforcement.

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Do not believe that taking health supplements can protect your kidneys.