Kidney Function

Your Kidneys' Functions

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in the back of your body, on either side of the spine, below your ribs. They have several vital functions:

Filtering waste. The kidneys' most important function is filtering excess fluid, waste products and unwanted chemicals from your blood. They filter about 160 quarts of blood a day. Of those 160 quarts, only 1.5 quarts are made into urine, passed into the bladder and eliminated.
Producing red blood cells. Your kidneys help make red blood cells, which helps prevent anemia.
Aiding digestion. Your kidneys help your body use calcium and phosphorous from the food you eat.
Regulating blood pressure. Your kidneys can alter the amount of fluid in your body, which can affect your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too low, they release a chemical called renin, which can increase blood pressure. However, having high blood pressure can damage the kidneys and cause renal failure.

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