Our kidneys are vital to our health and well-being. We have two kidneys, each about the size of an adult fist, located on
either side of our spine just below the rib cage. Our kidneys perform many complex and life-sustaining functions that help
keep our body in balance. They filter and return about 200 quarts of fluid to the bloodstream every 24 hours. Approximately
two quarts of fluid are eliminated from the body in the form of urine, and the remaining 198 quarts, are retained in the body.
Our kidneys perform many functions, including:
- removing waste and excess fluid
- filtering the blood
- making vitamins that control growth
- controlling production of red blood cells
- releasing hormones that help regulate blood pressure
- controlling the amount of nutrients in the body, such as potassium and calcium.
Here’s how our kidneys perform their important job:
- Blood enters the kidneys through an artery from the heart.
- Blood is cleansed in the kidneys by passing through millions of tiny blood filters.
- Waste material passes through the ureter and is stored in the bladder as urine.
- Newly-cleaned blood returns to the bloodstream by way of veins.
- The bladder becomes full and urine passes out of the body through the urethra.
