The function of the kidney, as it relates to overall health, is extremely important. It plays a crucial role in keeping the blood clean and regulating the amount of fluid in the body. The kidney has a unique anatomy and is equipped to efficiently discharge its functions. Most humans are born with two kidneys, although one kidney is capable of performing the normal functions of both kidneys.
In rare cases a person may be born with one kidney or may lose a kidney through injury, disease or surgery (for example when a person donates a kidney). Amazingly, such people are still able to lead normal lives, without any adverse effects to their health.
Key Kidney Functions
If you asked anyone what is the function of the kidney, they might
respond by saying that it produces urine. They will, of course, be correct but
this is not the only kidney function. While this is one of the major functions
of the kidney, this remarkable organ does a lot more. You might be amazed
to discover just how extensive is the role of the kidney, as it pertains to
maintaining overall human health.
The main function of the kidney is the removal of toxic
waste products from the blood. Chief among these waste products are urea and
uric acid. If too many of these waste products are allowed to accumulate in the
blood stream, this will result in life threatening illnesses. Fortunately, these
two deadly substances are easily expelled from the body by the kidneys...
through the process of excretion.
Excretion is a process which continuously cleans the blood...
keeping it free of unwanted and dangerous substances. This very important job is
performed by microscopic structures in the kidneys called nephrons. The kidneys
are in fact the main organs of the
urinary
system... responsible for removing waste substances from the body, in the
form of urine.
Regulating the amount
of water and salt in the blood is another important function of the kidney.
As you may know, the body is made up primarily of water. Water
is indeed necessary for many of the body's biological functions. Too much water,
however, could dilute the blood... negatively affecting the environment in which
the cells operate.
Let's suppose that you drink a lot of water quickly. The water
is absorbed from your gut into the bloodstream, and it has the effect of
diluting the blood. The diluted blood reaches the kidney, which takes excess
water out of it and passes it into the urine.
Salt is dealt with in the same way. If you had a salty meal the
salt is absorbed into your blood. When the salty blood reaches the kidney the
salt is removed from it and passed into the urine. This is an extremely
important function of the kidney.
The relative amount of water and salt in the blood give the
blood a particular concentration. By regulating the amount of salt and water in
the blood, the kidneys ensure that the concentration and volume of the blood
stays more or less the same all the time.
Another crucial function of the kidney is to regulate blood-pressure. They
secrete an enzyme called renin, which activates hormonal mechanisms that
controls blood pressure and electrolyte balance. When, for instance,
blood-pressure begins to fall, the kidneys release the enzyme renin. This
enzyme converts blood protein into a hormone called angiotensin.
Angiotensin then induces the adrenal gland to release another
hormone called aldosterone. This hormone causes sodium and water to be
reabsorbed into the blood, thereby increasing blood-volume and blood-pressure.
The response of the kidneys to aldosterone helps to regulate the level of salt
in the blood.
The kidney also regulates the body's pH balance... by
adjusting the body's acid-base balance. If the blood is too acidic, meaning that
there is an excess of hydrogen ions, the kidney moves these ions to the urine.
Bacteria (which cause many serious degenerative diseases)
flourish in an acidic environment. The kidneys help to maintain the blood plasma
at a neutral pH 7.4. By regulating the body's pH, the kidneys help to maintain
an environment which prevents diseases and promotes the efficient functioning of
all bio-systems within the body.
Another key function of the kidney is the processing of
vitamin D. The kidney converts this vitamin to an active form that
stimulates bone development.
Several hormones are also produced in the kidney. One
very important hormone produced by the kidney is called erythropoietin.
It plays a key role in the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
When the kidney detects that the number of red blood cells in
the body is declining, it produces erythropoietin. This hormone is released into
the bloodstream and goes to the bone marrow. This triggers the production and
release of more red blood cells.
Everyday the kidneys take on a heavy workload of filtering toxins from the
blood and keeping the body’s chemistry in balance. Maintaining efficient kidney
function is critical to restoring and maintaining good health.
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb