Most people have two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They are located on each side of your spine, just below the rib cage. Around 110 – 140 litres of blood is filtered every day to produce 1-2 litres of urine. The urine production involves a highly complex filtration, excretion and reabsorption system. This process is important to balance the chemicals in our body.
What do they do?
Excrete waste and toxins from our body.
Balance the body’s fluid and electrolyte in our body.
Produces the hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells.
Aids in healthy bone formation.
What happens when they dysfunction?
Nausea and vomiting
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Muscle cramps
Dry and itching skin
Swelling at feet and ankles
Urinate too much or too little
Therefore, it is extremely important to keep our diet and lifestyle healthy, through diligent exercise and mindful eating.
Here are some tips to take care of your kidney health:
Reduce the amount of sodium and processed foods consumed
Limit sugary and carbonated drinks
Drink plenty of water
Keep your blood pressure low
Limit the use of medication, if possible
Get regular kidney check-ups
References:
Your Kidneys & How They Work | NIDDK. (2018, June 1). Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work
Foods that fight inflammation – Harvard Health. (2014, June 12). Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation
