General Hea lth Fist-sized, bean-shaped and covered with fat, these strange human organs aren’t often considered lifesavers, but without them we wouldn’t survive for long. Kidneys play a major role in our health, but their regulatory function is often underrated or forgotten because they’re discreet and hidden at the sides of our backbone. There are plenty reasons why these powerful little mechanisms are protected by our rib cage, a padding of fat and a layer of muscle. How Our Kidneys Work • The kidneys perform the following functions: • Waste removal from the body • Drug and alcohol removal from the body • Detoxification • Balance of fluids • Hormone creation for other bodily functions, like blood pressure regulation • Vitamin D production for healthy bones • Control of red blood cell production Most of us know that the kidneys are in charge of waste and excess fluid removal from the body through urine, but how does this all begin to happen? The production of urine involves highly complex stages of excretion and absorption, which maintains a stable and balanced reserve of body chemicals. The body’s levels of salt, potassium and acid depend on this function, while the kidneys are also responsible for the production of certain hormones needed for other organs. In other words, the kidneys separate the body’s recyclable waste from its non-recyclable waste, all day, every day. In each kidney, our blood is filtered through millions of nephrons (mini-filters) and rid the unwanted body chemicals through urine. Cleaned blood returns to the body by the renal vein. The process of waste removal: • Food and drink enters the stomach and are broken down • Solid waste is removed and nutrients contained • Nutrients are used within the body for growth, repair, energy and maintenance of body functions • These processes create waste, which kidneys remove through the bladder to exit the body as urine How Does Lifestyle Affect Kidneys? Smoking Smoking impacts the blood flow to vital organs such as the kidneys, as well as exacerbating existing kidney problems. Smoking also interferes with any medicines taken to treat high blood pressure, and since the high blood pressure has a direct impact on the kidneys, smoking increases the risk of their damage and of chronic kidney disease. Alcohol Everyone who drinks alcohol regularly should be aware of the kidneys’ relation to the substance. While enjoying a couple of glasses of wine throughout the week is fine, heavy drinking impacts the kidneys’ ability to filter blood and regulate water levels. Alcohol also raises blood pressure, which is dangerous for kidney function. Water Thirsty? Drink water! As well as associating with various other health problems, sugary beverages challenge kidney function. According to Kidney Health Australia, one sugary beverage (soft drink, juice, sports drink) per day has shown to increase females’ risk of diabetes by 80%. Water is the healthiest, least expensive and most beneficial choice of thirst quencher! Diet Maintaining a healthy diet is great for your general health, energy levels, weight and even your happiness! Eat a wholesome diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, grains and the right proteins to keep those kidneys smiling! Weight Excessive weight forces your kidneys to work harder, as higher levels of protein are being lost through urine, impacting their ability to filter. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are dangerous for the kidneys. Activity Keeping active is important for everyone, and even just 30 minutes a day can help maintain a stable weight and improve your strength, energy and overall wellbeing. Take note, you should seek to increase this 30 minutes each week until you get to an hour a day for increased health benefits. Kidney Health Australia Facts • 1 in 3 Australians is at a heightened risk of developing chronic kidney disease • 1 in 10 Australians aged over 18 display indicators of chronic kidney disease • Less then 10% of these people are aware they have this condition • People with chronic kidney disease experience twothree times greater risk of cardiovascular disease • 56 Australians die per day of kidney disease pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 11
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Four
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