Normally, all of us have two kidneys which are located in the flank or the mid back area of our body. They are protected by the lower ribs and the thick musculature in this region. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs which are about the same size as a man's fist.
The kidneys play an important role in a number of bodily functions. These include:
• Excreting (taking out] the waste products from blood
The kidneys clean our blood. Every two minutes, every drop of blood in our body passes through our kidneys.
Blood enters kidneys although ARTERY from the Heart
Inside our kidneys are millions of tiny filters that take out waste products from the blood. These waste products are taken away from kidney by two tubes and leave the body as urine. Once waste products are removed, the blood is clean and can then be sent to other parts of the body.
• Keeping the right amount of fluid in the body
The kidneys help the body keep the right amount of fluid. If there is too the kidneys will excrete the excess water in the form of urine. If there is less amount of fluid in the body the kidneys will try to conserve water and less amount will be excreted in the urine.
• Regulating your blood pressure
Keeping good fluid levels helps keep the blood pressure at normal levels, too. If blood pressure is too high, the heart has to work harder to pump blood all over the body.
The kidneys also work to keep the right amounts of important things like sodium (salt), potassium and protein.
• Regulating red blood cell production
Proper production of red blood cells depends upon erythropoietin levels, adequate intake and proper assimilation of folic acid, vitamin B12, iron and protein.
Erythropoietin is a hormone produced primarily by the kidneys. Normally, the kidneys are able to sense the reduced amount of oxygen present in the blood. The kidneys respond by secreting a hormone called erythropoietin which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, thus increasing the capacity of the blood to carry more oxygen.
• Activating vitamin D
The kidneys also change vitamin D into an active form. This helps body use more of the calcium it takes in from food and medicines. This is important because the bones will not be strong Without calcium.
