Kidneys do what?
Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back, and they play a crucial role in keeping your body healthy. Here’s what they do:
Filter Blood: Every day, kidneys filter about 50 gallons of blood to remove waste products and excess substances. This waste could come from food, drinks, and even from our own body’s cells.
Create Urine: After filtering the blood, kidneys produce urine, which is made up of waste and extra water. This urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder, where it’s stored until you are ready to go to the bathroom.
Balance Fluids: Kidneys help maintain the right amount of fluids in your body. They control how much water you keep or remove, which is very important for hydration and overall health.
Regulate Electrolytes: Kidneys regulate key minerals in your body, known as electrolytes. These include sodium, potassium, and calcium, which are important for muscle function, heart health, and many other processes.
Control Blood Pressure: Kidneys produce a hormone called renin that helps manage blood pressure. When blood pressure is low, they can release renin to help raise it.
Aid in Red Blood Cell Production: Kidney cells produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which signals the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. This is vital because red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body.
Overall, kidneys are essential organs that work hard to keep you healthy by filtering waste, balancing fluids, and regulating important substances in your body.
