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Kidney Health: 13 Things You Need To Know

13 Things You Need To Know About Kidneys
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Our kidneys don't get a lot of love, and definitely don't get the attention paid to other major organs like our heart, liver, and lungs. But that doesn't mean that they aren't important — in fact, they're vital.

"The kidneys play many essential roles when it comes to our health and wellbeing," says Selene Vakharia, a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle consultant, explains. "They are instrumental in detoxification, filtering our blood and eliminating toxins and waste products through our urine." Vakharia, who owns La Belle Vie Holistic Living says kidneys also help regulate our blood pressure, electrolytes, and the pH levels of our blood.

When our kidneys aren't able to do their many jobs properly, our health can suffer. And kidney disease, a term that encompasses a variety of diseases and disorders of the kidneys, can be fatal. Read on for 13 things you need to know to keep your kidneys — and as a result, the rest of you — in good working order.

They're Smaller Than You Think

13 Things You Need To Know About Kidneys

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