What are the kidneys doing?
The functions of the kidneys can not be overemphasized: they are vital organs and participate in many important processes of human life.
Three main functions of the kidneys
- Blood filtration. In the human body, the kidneys act as a blood filter, and also remove excess fluids, urea, toxins, creatinine. For the whole day through the kidneys passes approximately 1.5 liters of blood and is released from 0.5 liters. up to 2 liters. urine.
- Maintaining a balance of water-salt balance. Kidneys regulate the content of minerals and salts in the blood. In case of their excess, the kidneys help to remove them from the body.
- Production of biological substances. In the kidneys the following hormones are formed:
- Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the consumption of vitamin B12, iron and copper by the bone marrow. The increase in this substance in the blood raises blood pressure and increases the viscosity of the blood;
- Thrombopoietin is a protein produced by the liver and kidneys, it stimulates the number of platelets produced by the bone marrow;
- Calcitriol is a processed form of vitamin D. Acts as a regulator of potassium and phosphate metabolism. The lack of calcitriol production in the child's body can cause rickets.
Also kidneys synthesize amino acids and easilydigestible vitamin D3 from vitamin D. This active form of the vitamin is necessary for the complete digestion and absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract.
Control over the concentration of sodium in the blood
During the month, the kidneys are able to compensatedaily sodium demand. This feature is important when you want to reduce the amount of salt consumed. Therefore, when patients recommend a salt-free diet, this does not harm their health in any way (but it should not be longer than 40 days and strictly under the supervision of a doctor).
Now you know what the kidneys are doing. It's also nice to know how they look. Each of the kidneys weighs no more than 200 g. The kidneys are small in size: 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 4 cm thick in thickness, similar in shape to beans. The kidneys are located on the right and left sides of the spine, with one slightly lower than the other.
Nature has awarded people so strongkidneys, that even if they will function on 20%, it will support the vital activity of the body. From the kidneys depends on our health, the composition of blood, the state of the bone marrow and the body as a whole. These small but very significant organs should be preserved and preserved as long as possible.
