HOW THE KIDNEYS WORK - PART 3
Jobs of the kidney
FROM STAYING HEALTHY WITH KIDNEY DISEASE in press (Springer-Nature)
The kidneys have several jobs:
1. They eliminate waste products from protein breakdown. As muscles and other body tissues are repaired, the excess proteins are recycled. Any excess proteins are broken down and eliminated. Excess proteins can be broken down and then reassembled as glucose or ketones. Also, excess dietary protein must be broken down to ammonia and then converted to urea for elimination. When the kidneys fail, urea and other waste products accumulate.
2. Many medications are eliminated by the kidney. If the kidneys fail, these medications can accumulate. It is necessary for physicians to adjust the dose of medications in patients with CKD or avoid them altogether.
3. The kidneys make the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). EPO stimulates the precursor red blood cells in the bone marrow to mature. As the kidneys fail, the production of EPO decreases, and without their stimulus effect, kidney patients develop anemia.
4. Vitamin D is a hormone that absorbs calcium from the gastrointestinal tract and helps the bone cells make healthy bone. It has several additional effects and is involved in cell differentiation, blood pressure control, and the immune response. When the kidney function deteriorates the lack of active vitamin D leads to impaired calcium reabsorption and defective bone synthesis. Parathyroid hormone is synthesized and released in excess amounts from glands in the neck. This hormone stimulates the breakdown of bone as an adaptive response in an effort to maintain calcium levels.
5. Foods contain acid content that must be buffered and eliminated by the kidneys. As kidney function declines the bones first try to buffer the acids, exchanging calcium (Ca++) for hydrogen (H+) ions. As kidney function worsens acid levels build up. They cause cellular deterioration, particularly muscle weakness (sarcopenia). Metabolic acidosis is independently associated with mortality in CKD. Luckily nutritional adaptation and bicarbonate supplements can control metabolic acidosis and help preserve kidney function.
6. Potassium secretion is an important function of the kidneys. Most foods have some potassium in their cells, and many are loaded with potassium (bananas and oranges). Our cells depend upon a balance between potassium inside and outside of the cells. If there is too much potassium outside of the cell, the cell cannot function. Cramps, paralysis, and even death can occur. If the total body potassium levels are too low, heart cells cannot conduct regularly and develop arrhythmias. Potassium regulation by the kidney is critical for maintaining potassium in proper balance. Kidney disease may lead to increased serum potassium. This can be compounded by medications that are used to help protect the kidneys and preserve function.
7. The kidney tubules balance sodium so that it is effectively recycled. Sodium balance helps control blood pressure and body volume. The kidneys make it possible to go for extended periods of time without drinking fluids. They keep fluids in balance by diluting or concentrating the urine, based upon our fluid consumption, how we quenched our thirst, and weather conditions. When the kidneys fail, the kidneys are unable to get rid of excess fluids, nor can they concentrate and dilute the urine. Fluid overload and even congestive heart failure may result.
Hi Stephen
You may be interested in reading my article:
How does salt restriction lead to heart dis-ease and fear based reactionary thinking?
I explain how the adrenals run the show when salt is restricted/low.
Hyponatremia is life threatening an emergency.
All the adrenocortical hormones are produced not just aldosterone.
The kidneys under adrenal control run counter to their natural predisposition.
They must scavenge for salty scapes.
It's like driving a car in reverse, great for getting out a drive way but you wouldn't want to go on a long drive in reverse.
The kidneys become distressed with adrenal control and this manifests in failure over time.
The remedy to let the adrenals recoup and rest is salt.
SALT turns off the RAAS.
The kidneys can return to their normal mode of excreting salt.
Prior to refrigeration, food was salted to preserve it, we all ate a lot of salt.
The 70-80s bought in the LOW salt directives. Chronic dis-ease has multiplied.
Diabetic chronic kidney disease accounts for 30-40% of all kidney failure.
It's time to get SALTY!
Diabetes is secondary to hyponatremia or dehydration - both terms for the same condition.
Cortisol increases blood glucose ...
Infertility - sex hormone production is stopped because an emergency is not ideal for fertility.
Dementia - a headache is not a sign to pop a Panadol. It's a sign of brain dehydration. Chronic dehydration of the brain, loss of functionality, think sticky instead of slick.
Heart - dehydration or decreased blood volume requires the heart to increate its rate, higher than normal pulse is a sign of dehydration.
Adrenal fatigue or hypertrophy
And you see it goes on.
Hydration is the key to understanding health.
Hydration equals salt plus water.
NOT oxygenation.
My other article: We breathe air not oxygen
I logically dismiss the gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Oxygen is detrimental to the lungs because it is a dehydrator. Reactive oxygen species is describing damage from dehydration. Oxygen toxicity can kill. I explain the difference between air and oxygen in my article. Air is measured by its moisture. Oxygen is measured by its dryness in parts per million of water contamination. eg medical oxygen has less than 67pm of water.
The lungs are rehydrating the red blood cells with saline water, NO oxygen or carbon dioxide is involved. The saline IV rehydrates the red blood cells when they encounter the fluid in a vein.
Red blood cells change shape and lightness: full and light with hydration, shrunken and dark when dehydrated.
The red light monitor is checking for hydration.
The lungs and kidney work together to maintain hydration.
You can read my articles by clicking on my blue icon.
All free to read.
Hang on to your hat, I bust a few paradigms.
No sacred cows.