Health Tips - Vital Organs - Kidneys

KIDNEYS : Like the heart , the Kidneys are sturdy and can take abuse. We must   understand the role of Kidneys and its basics.Role of Kidneys in emergency is magnificent. Our kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of our fist. They are located near the middle of our back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated trash collectors. Every day, our kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to flush out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to our bladder through tubes called ureters. Our bladder stores urine until we go to the bathroom. The kidneys remove wastes and extra water from the blood to form urine. Urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters.

The wastes in our blood come from the normal breakdown of active muscle and from the food we eat. Our body uses the food for energy and self-repairs. After our body has taken what it needs from the food, waste is sent to the blood. If our kidneys do not remove these wastes, the wastes would build up in the blood and damage our body. The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside our kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In the nephron, tiny blood vessels called capillaries intertwine with tiny urine-carrying tubes called tubules. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave our blood and enter our urinary system.

At first, the tubules receive a combination of waste materials and chemicals that our body can still use. Our kidneys measure out chemicals like sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and release them back to the blood to return to the body. In this way, our kidneys regulate the body's level of these substances. The right balance is necessary for life, but excess levels can be harmful. In the nephron (left), tiny blood vessels intertwine with urine-collecting tubes. Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons.

In addition to removing wastes, our kidneys release important hormones  which stimulate the bones to make red blood cells, regulate blood pressure and the active form of vitamin D, which helps maintain calcium for bones and for normal chemical balance in the body.

What Is "Renal Function"?

If you have two healthy kidneys, you have 100 percent of our renal function. This is more renal function than you really need. Some people are born with only one kidney and these people are able to lead normal, healthy lives. Many people donate a kidney for transplantation to a family member or friend. Small declines in renal function do not cause a problem. In fact, you can be healthy with 50 percent of our renal function if it remains stable.

But many people with 50 percent of their renal function have a kidney disease that will get worse. You will have some serious health problems if you have less than 20 percent of our renal functin. If our renal function drops below 10 to 15 percent, you cannot live long without some form of renal replacement therapy - either dialysis or transplantation.

How to keep Kidneys healthy: Through adequate diet and nutrition, the kidneys can be depended upon to do their share and to function faithfully throughout your long life.There is a definite relationship between good Kidney fuctioning and good Heart functioning.Normal blood pressure of the kidneys is higher than that of other parts of the body so as to force blood plasma into the kidney tubules. Abnormally high blood pressure on the already high but normal pressure in the kidneys can deteriorate the delecate tissues of the kidneys.Kidney Stones is another are another cause of Kidney troubles in addition to ther causes such as infections etc.Vitamin A deficiencies are one of the major cause to produce Kidney stones. In kidney infections Blood Proteins, which can't pass into urine normally, pass through the damaged tubules and are lost. Maintainence of Blood Proteins is VITAL for the human body.These proteins attract into the blood stream to wash out waste materials from all body tissues.When Blood Proteins are lost in urine or the diet is deficient in proteins, the normal amount of protein can't be maintained and liquids tend to accummulate in the body especially in the feet,ankles and legs. When kidneys are damaged to an extent that too much blood proteins are lost, wastes can't be collected resulting into uraemic poisioning through failure to excrete uric acid.

In the prevention of kidney troubles, a high resistance to infection through strong immune system (Read our articles and Health Tips on Immunity ) must be maintained. Diet must be well planned with plenty of B Vitamins for example (brewers' yeast) ,to keep the blood pressure normal, Milk and cereals to keep the urine acidic, food to supply essential proteins and above all fish-liver oil capsules, carrots, and leafy green vegetables for supplying the indispensable Vitamin A.

Food Sources rich in PROTEINS: Non-Veg foods are not discussed.

Milk, Cheese, and Yoghurt

Not only are dairy foods -- like milk, cheese, and yoghurt -- excellent sources of protein but they also contain valuable calcium, and many are fortified with vitamin D. Choose skim or low fat dairy to keep bones and teeth strong and prevent osteoporosis. 

Eggs

Eggs are one of the least expensive forms of protein. The American Heart Association says normal healthy adults can safely enjoy an egg a day.

Beans

One-half cup of beans contains as much protein as an ounce of broiled steak. Plus, these nutritious nuggets are loaded with fiber to keep you feeling full for hours

Soya

Fifty grams of soy protein daily can help lower cholesterol about 3%. Eating soy protein instead of sources of protein higher in fat -- along with a healthy diet -- can be heart healthy

Protein at Breakfast

Research shows that including a source of protein like an egg or Indian yoghurt at breakfast along with a high fiber grain like whole wheat toast can help you feel full longer and eat less throughout the day.