What do the kidneys actually do?

Well-functioning kidneys are important for our health. They eliminate water-soluble waste products and help to keep our electrolyte levels in balance. They also maintain our body's pH level.

In addition, the kidneys are involved in the regulation of hormones and blood pressure as well as in the formation of red blood cells.

They filter 1200 to 1500 liters of blood per day (that's roughly the amount of 10 full bathtubs), and the resulting waste and toxins are removed through urine to protect us.

From this amount of blood, approximately 1.5 liters of urine are formed, which excretes “urinary” substances that would otherwise poison us internally.

Substances such as proteins and electrolytes are retained so that they remain available to the body – that’s how ingenious our body works.

Kidneys are responsible for the gene expression of over 1548 of our genes. (1) Without healthy kidneys, we cannot live.

We don’t detoxify the body, the body detoxifies us

When we talk about detoxification, we like to say that we are detoxifying ourselves. For example, we often say:
“I am detoxifying my liver” – but it is actually the other way around: the liver detoxifies us. The liver, lymph and kidneys need our support in this.

Why should you strengthen your kidney function?

The kidneys are by no means only responsible for the excretion of metabolic end products and foreign substances, and the kidneys are also not yet fully occupied with the aforementioned regulation of the body's electrolyte and water balance.

Furthermore, this excretory organ is also responsible for the regulation of the acid-base balance and blood pressure.

In addition, vital vitamin D is activated and hormones are produced here.

If the kidneys do not function as usual, these tasks can no longer be performed optimally – this is referred to as “renal dysfunction”.

The kidneys

The kidneys are undoubtedly one of the most important organs in our body.

They are essential for the elimination of waste products, maintaining homeostasis and the production of important hormones.

Homeostasis (also homeostasis or homeostasis) is a concept used in biology and physiology to describe the ability of an organism to keep its internal environment constant.

This is crucial for the survival and normal functioning of the organism.

In our body, many different factors, such as temperature, pH, oxygen content, water content and concentrations of various nutrients and electrolytes, must be maintained within certain limits.

When these factors fluctuate greatly, cells cannot function properly and health problems can arise.

To fully understand the complexity and vitality of these organs, we must examine their diverse functions.

Filtration and elimination of waste materials:

The kidneys play an important role in filtering our blood and excreting waste products.

Every day, about 1200 to 1500 liters of blood flow to the kidneys, removing toxic and unnecessary substances.These substances, including urea, uric acid and creatinine, are then excreted in the urine.

Without this process, toxic substances could accumulate in the body and lead to serious health problems.

Regulation of electrolyte balance:

Electrolytes are minerals that perform a variety of functions in our body. They help maintain pH, regulate nerve and muscle function, and hydration, among other things.

The kidneys play a key role in maintaining the balance of these electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium and calcium).

Through selective reabsorption and secretion in the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney, they ensure that the body has sufficient amounts of required electrolytes and that excess or harmful amounts are excreted.

Regulation of water balance:

The kidneys regulate the body's water balance through a process called diuresis.

This process allows the kidneys to adjust the amount of water excreted to maintain the body's fluid balance and blood pressure.

When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys release the hormone vasopressin, which increases water replenishment and helps restore water balance.

Erythropoietin:

This hormone plays a crucial role in the production of red blood cells. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, the kidneys are stimulated to produce more erythropoietin.

This hormone acts on the bone marrow and stimulates it to produce more red blood cells. This increases the oxygen capacity of the blood and improves the oxygen supply throughout the body.

Calcitriol:

This is the active form of vitamin D in the body. The kidneys contribute to vitamin D activation by converting the inactive vitamin D (which enters the body either through skin synthesis or dietary intake) into calcitriol.

Calcitriol has a number of important functions in the body, including promoting calcium and phosphate absorption in the intestine, regulating bone metabolism, and modulating the immune system.

Regulation of the acid-base balance:

Finally, the kidneys help maintain the body's pH by excreting protons (H+) or reabsorbing bicarbonate (HCO3-) to maintain the body's acid-base balance.

Disturbances in this process can lead to conditions such as acidosis (too acidic environment) or alkalosis (too alkaline environment).

The numerous functions of our kidneys show how important it is to maintain their health.

Kidney dysfunction can lead to a variety of health problems, including kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and bone disease.

Therefore, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle to support kidney function and minimize the risk of kidney disease.

To keep your kidneys healthy, you can take the following measures:

Drink enough water:

Adequate hydration is crucial for kidney function. Water helps the kidneys remove waste from the bloodstream. While optimal hydration varies from person to person, it is often recommended to drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily.

Eat a balanced diet:

A healthy diet can help control blood pressure and blood sugar levels, two factors that can affect kidney function.

A balanced diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats.

Avoid foods high in sodium, as too much sodium can increase blood pressure.

Limit alcohol consumption:

Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and directly damage the kidneys, so it is important to consume alcohol in moderation.

The general guideline for moderate alcohol consumption is no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

Avoid excessive use of painkillers:

Certain medications, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can damage the kidneys if consumed regularly and in large quantities.

It is important to talk to your doctor before taking any pain medication on a regular basis.

Maintain a healthy body weight:

Being overweight and obese increases the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are major causes of chronic kidney disease. Regular physical activity and a healthy diet can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Quitting smoking:

Smoking can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and impair their function. In addition, smoking is a risk factor for kidney cancer.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to protect your kidneys and improve your overall health.

Regular preventive examinations:

Regular medical examinations are important to detect potential health problems, including those that may affect the kidneys.

People with risk factors for kidney disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or family history, should definitely be examined.

Control of blood sugar and blood pressure:

Both factors are closely linked to kidney function. Chronically high blood sugar, as occurs in diabetes, can lead to kidney damage.

High blood pressure can also cause kidney damage. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it is important to manage these conditions well to protect your kidneys.

In summary:

A healthy lifestyle that includes adequate hydration, a balanced diet, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, avoiding smoking and excessive use of painkillers, maintaining a healthy body weight, and regular check-ups can go a long way in keeping your kidneys healthy.

In addition, it is important to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure well to avoid possible kidney damage.

If you have any concerns or personal questions, you should always consult a physician or other qualified health care provider.