'Why am I always tired and dizzy even though I take iron supplements regularly?' This is a frequent question in practice. From the perspective of Western medicine, when people say 'anemia,' most think first of erythrocyte deficiency, especially iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, they get a prescription for iron supplements and take them diligently. Yet, if symptoms do not improve, we need to listen to deeper signals. What Donguibogam calls 'kidney essence deficiency' is very closely linked to the complex 'chronic energy depletion syndrome' described in modern medicine.
The cells of our body produce energy in tiny structures called mitochondria, but when mitochondrial dysfunction occurs, energy cannot be produced efficiently no matter how many nutrients are supplied. A state of 'kidney essence deficiency' can be interpreted in a similar context to this mitochondrial dysfunction. Modern lifestyles—such as chronic stress, irregular sleep, and nutritional imbalance—disrupt the balance of the autonomic nervous system and hormones, leading to dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This HPA axis is a core system that regulates stress response and energy metabolism; when its function declines, symptoms such as chronic fatigue, lethargy, impaired concentration, and dizziness appear, as if the body's 'essence' were depleted.
Donguibogam emphasizes the function of the kidney and connects 'essence' to 'bone marrow.' In modern medicine as well, bone marrow is an important organ that produces blood cells. When anemia-like symptoms appear even though there is no problem with iron absorption or erythrocyte production itself, one may suspect a subtle decline in bone marrow function, a lack of other micronutrients needed for blood production such as vitamin B12, folic acid, and copper, or 'anemia of chronic disease,' in which blood cell production is inhibited due to chronic inflammation. In other words, a state where the body's overall system fails to properly generate and utilize energy can serve as the modern interpretation of 'kidney essence deficiency.' This means it is not a problem solved simply by replenishing iron; a fundamental approach that restores vitality from the deepest parts of our body is necessary. A comprehensive effort to restore autonomic balance, regulate hormones, and improve cellular energy metabolism efficiency is needed to regain true vitality and feel refreshed in the morning. Please listen to the signals your body sends.
