General information about the kidneys 

The kidneys are a paired organ. So there is a left kidney and a right kidney. They are 2 bean-shaped organs that are about 11 cm long. They lie to the left and right of the spine. In the middle of the inwardly curved side of a kidney is the so-called renal portal. It is a passage for lymph and blood vessels, nerves and ureters. The renal artery transports blood with waste materials to the kidney. Purified, it flows back into the systemic circulation through the renal vein. The finished urine flows through the ureter to the urinary bladder. 

The kidneys are filter stations, you could say the sewage and water works of our body. Among other things, they serve to excrete toxins and metabolic products, i.e. the so-called blood washing. Their tasks for our health are very complex. These include, among other things, the regulation of water and electrolyte balance, blood pressure and acid-base balance. In addition to detoxifying the body, regulating the salt and electrolyte balance is an important task of the kidneys. Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in a fluid such as our blood. These electrolytes (e.g. sodium, potassium, chloride or calcium) are important in generating stimuli, as they regulate nerve and muscle function and keep our acid-base balance and water balance in balance. The kidneys support this stability of electrolyte concentration by filtering electrolytes and water from the blood and excreting the excess in the urine. The regulation of electrolyte balance ensures the maintenance of fluid balance in the body regions. 

In acute or chronic kidney failure, the electrolyte balance is disturbed. For example, if not enough potassium is excreted in the urine, a dangerous increase in potassium in the blood can occur. 

The kidneys control the production of red blood cells. The hormone erythropoietin (Epo) promotes the development of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Erythropoietin is produced in the kidney. If the oxygen level in the blood falls or if there are too few red blood cells, the kidney produces more erythropoietin. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys are said to be the gateway to life. Because they produce the essence Jing which is responsible for reproduction, growth, development and maturation. Which means, if you have healthy kidneys, you live longer and the aging process slows down. 

The kidneys influence willpower, give support to bones and teeth and fullness to hair. Kidneys find gentle forms of exercise beneficial, but competitive sports are not recommended. 

Water is the kidneys' favorite liquid. 1500 liters of blood flow through the kidneys every day and the waste products in the blood are filtered out and passed into the bladder as urine and then excreted as needed. That's why it's so important to consciously consume clear, good drinking water every day. 

The fluid requirement is approx. 2 liters daily. 

Briefly summarized:
Kidney activity includes:
• Excretion of metabolic end products
• Detoxification and elimination of medications and environmental toxins
• Regulation of water and electrolyte balance and blood pressure
• Regulation of the acid-base balance, including the pH value in the blood
• Hormone formation (renin, erythropoietin)
• Activation of vitamin D
• Produce the essence Jing
• Affect willpower
• Jointly responsible for healthy bones, healthy teeth and healthy hair 

 

 

Kidneys and their affiliation
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys are associated with the element of water
Yin organ – kidney
Yang organ – bladder
Sensory organ – ears
Emotion – fear
Taste – Salty, bitter
Color: Dark blue like the sea
Season: winter