Facts About Kidneys

Introduction

Kidneys are an important organ as it filters excess water and harmful toxins from the blood. Most vertebrates in the animal kingdom have kidneys that essentially perform the same function, however, they greatly differ in structure and the way they perform their function. Read on to explore more about kidneys and how they work:

Fascinating Facts About The Kidneys

1. Every day, the average human kidney filters about 112 to 144 litres of blood to produce 0.94 to 1.7 litres of urine every day.
2. Kidneys also produce hormones that regulate various bodily functions. Renin is one such hormone that regulates blood pressure.
3. The basic, functional unit of kidneys are called nephrons and they help in filtering blood. The kidneys are made up of millions of nephrons.
4. Kidney stone is a condition where minerals present in the urine clump or become crystalize, growing large enough to block the flow of urine. It is quite a painful condition for obvious reasons. The largest ever kidney recorded stone weighed in over 4.25 kgs.
5. High Oxalate foods such as milk, eggs and cheese increase the risk of kidney stones by ten fold.
6. The average human kidney is no bigger than a closed fist and weighs just under 0.4kgs.
7. Scientists have estimated that the number of nephrons present in the kidneys starts falling at 1% per year.
8. Once kidney disease sets in, it cannot be reversed, its effects can only be slowed down.

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