{"id":3358,"date":"2019-05-02T13:41:27","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T12:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidneyresearchuk.org\/?page_id=3358"},"modified":"2025-06-23T11:57:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T10:57:06","slug":"what-the-kidneys-do","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/kidney-health-information\/about-kidney-disease\/what-the-kidneys-do\/","title":{"rendered":"What do the kidneys do?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h2>What do the kidneys do in our body?<\/h2>\r\n<p>The kidneys are highly complex organs that control substances in the blood, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/conditions-symptoms\/blood-pressure\/\">blood pressure<\/a>, and the amount of fluid in the body. They also keep the blood clean and chemically balanced.<\/p>\r\n<p>Acting as very efficient and specialised filters, they work to rid the body of waste and toxic substances and return vitamins, amino acids, glucose, hormones and other vital substances into the bloodstream.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qw3Fhbxg1Xg?si=P75azJX9LIoHaKqw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\r\n<h3>Where are the kidneys?<\/h3>\r\n<p>Most people have two kidneys, which sit deep in the abdomen (behind the liver and intestines) in the small of the back, either side of the spine.<\/p>\r\n<p>Shaped like a bean, each kidney weighs anywhere between 40 grams to 190 grams depending on gender and can vary between left and right kidney. A kidney is about 10-15cms long.<\/p>\r\n<p>Many people are able to lead healthy and active <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/kidney-health-information\/about-kidney-disease\/living-with-one-kidney\/\">lives with just one functioning kidney<\/a>. Some may have been born with one kidney, others may have had a kidney removed due to illness or injury and some people may have donated one of their kidneys to someone with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/kidney-health-information\/living-with-kidney-disease\/approaching-kidney-failure\/\">kidney failure<\/a> (in a kidney transplant operation).<\/p>\r\n<h3>What do kidneys do?<\/h3>\r\n<p>The kidneys have a number of important functions:<\/p>\r\n<p>Their main job is to filter the blood to remove &#8216;waste products&#8217; that the body doesn&#8217;t need, and to keep the amount of water in the body constant. The excess fluid and the waste products form urine.<\/p>\r\n<p>They also secrete a number of essential hormones which:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>help to regulate blood pressure by sending out signals to other parts of the body that control blood vessel contraction<\/li>\r\n<li>keep our blood in a neutral non-acid state<\/li>\r\n<li>stimulate red cell production from our bone marrow<\/li>\r\n<li>&#8216;activate&#8217; the Vitamin D we obtain from our diets and sunlight to help to keep our bones and muscles healthy.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Our kidneys must maintain these delicate balances in order to ensure that all the cells in our bodies can function properly.<\/p>\r\n<h3>How do the kidneys work?<\/h3>\r\n<p>Around one quarter of all the blood flow leaving the heart goes to the kidneys. The blood is then channelled to about a million tiny filters in each kidney. The filters are called glomeruli. These are joined onto small tubes (tubules) to form nephrons (the structural and functional units of the kidney).<\/p>\r\n<p>Each day around 180 litres of this filtered blood (known as filtrate) pass into the nephrons. Nearly all of the liquid is then reabsorbed back into the bloodstream: between one and one-and-a-half litres is sent out of the body as urine.<\/p>\r\n<p>This vital process ensures that the body functions efficiently.<\/p>\r\n<p>Sometimes kidneys do not work properly for a wide variety of reasons; some of them not yet fully understood. That&#8217;s why scientists are constantly seeking new ways to investigate and solve the many complexities of the kidney.<\/p>\r\n<p>Make an appointment to see your GP if you think there may be something wrong with your kidney function or have any of the <a href=\"https:\/\/kidneyresearchuk.org\/conditions-symptoms\/symptoms-of-kidney-disease\/\">symptoms<\/a> associated with possible kidney problems. You can find lots of helpful tips and advice about planning your visit, including what questions to ask, in our <a href=\"https:\/\/kidneyresearchuk.org\/kidney-health-information\/questions-about-kidney-disease\/what-to-expect-when-visiting-your-doctor\/\">visiting your doctor<\/a> section.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Links &amp; downloads<\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/What-are-kidneys-booklet-8pp-July-2025-digital-1.pdf\">Download<\/a> our free information booklets which explains what the kidneys are and what they do.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/What-are-kidneys-booklet-8pp-July-2025-digital-1.pdf\" target=\"_self\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"what-your-kideys-do-booklet\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/what-your-kideys-do-booklet-500x500.png\" alt=\"what-your-kideys-do-booklet\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"what-your-kideys-do-booklet\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/what-your-kideys-do-booklet-500x500.png\" alt=\"what-your-kideys-do-booklet\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" \/><\/noscript> <\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Reviewed April 2019<\/p>\r\n<h2>Worried about your kidneys?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Take our free online kidney health check today.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Let&#8217;s transform treatments<\/h2>\r\n<p>Every day in the UK, more than 20 people start treatment for kidney failure. Although the basics are known, there are still many things we don&#8217;t understand and more research is urgently needed. But it&#8217;s not happening fast enough. Patients deserve better and our research can change this.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kidneyresearchuk.org\/support\/\" target=\"_self\"> Support our research <\/a><\/p>\r\n<h2>Hear from people living with kidney disease<\/h2>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"John McCrum\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/20250608_101100-375x500-landscape-91395ee0826ee7f3b1f1f827de025ab8-.jpg\" alt=\"John at the Newcastle Bridges Walk, wearing his purple Kidney Research UK tshirt with the river and bridge behind him.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"John McCrum\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/20250608_101100-375x500-landscape-91395ee0826ee7f3b1f1f827de025ab8-.jpg\" alt=\"John at the Newcastle Bridges Walk, wearing his purple Kidney Research UK tshirt with the river and bridge behind him.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Newcastle Bridges Walk gives kidney patients hope amid exhausting dialysis regime<\/h3>\r\n<p>10 June 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Maya Pruzek\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Maya-Pruzek-4-375x500-landscape-cdccf3ff5d21d616a58db58d820b0427-.jpeg\" alt=\"Mum with son and daughter on a balcony with landscape behind them.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Maya Pruzek\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Maya-Pruzek-4-375x500-landscape-cdccf3ff5d21d616a58db58d820b0427-.jpeg\" alt=\"Mum with son and daughter on a balcony with landscape behind them.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Researcher&#8217;s personal fight against kidney disease<\/h3>\r\n<p>4 June 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Freya Watts\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Freya-1-393x500-landscape-1eff163f2088fae0c0c6aeec20d05806-.jpg\" alt=\"Father and daughter in a garden smiling together\" width=\"393\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Freya Watts\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Freya-1-393x500-landscape-1eff163f2088fae0c0c6aeec20d05806-.jpg\" alt=\"Father and daughter in a garden smiling together\" width=\"393\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Dad transformed my life by donating a kidney<\/h3>\r\n<p>4 June 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Rachael Norris and Layla\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Rachael-and-Layla-375x500-landscape-b85d98232ac6fb318a447e226bbff5e2-.jpg\" alt=\"Mother and daughter sitting on a sofa in restaurant smiling for the camera.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Rachael Norris and Layla\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Rachael-and-Layla-375x500-landscape-b85d98232ac6fb318a447e226bbff5e2-.jpg\" alt=\"Mother and daughter sitting on a sofa in restaurant smiling for the camera.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Wearing purple tutus across Newcastle&#8217;s bridges for Kidney Research UK<\/h3>\r\n<p>29 May 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Ellie-Mae Steers\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Ellie-Mae-Steers-10-landscape-6a18cf6e6bd97739560098c4825b4498-.png\" alt=\"Female in hospital bed with young girl standing next to the bed holding her hand.\" width=\"296\" height=\"377\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Ellie-Mae Steers\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Ellie-Mae-Steers-10-landscape-6a18cf6e6bd97739560098c4825b4498-.png\" alt=\"Female in hospital bed with young girl standing next to the bed holding her hand.\" width=\"296\" height=\"377\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Kidney failure and dialysis in my twenties was incredibly lonely<\/h3>\r\n<p>15 May 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Swaroop Kadambari and family\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Swaroop-Kadambari-and-family-375x500-landscape-faac91d9e70067d08db56bf8787fb58c-.jpeg\" alt=\"Family selfie of mum, dad and three little children.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Swaroop Kadambari and family\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Swaroop-Kadambari-and-family-375x500-landscape-faac91d9e70067d08db56bf8787fb58c-.jpeg\" alt=\"Family selfie of mum, dad and three little children.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Fellow kidney patients gave me the strength to carry on after devastating diagnosis<\/h3>\r\n<p>13 May 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Jelina Berlow-Rahman\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Jelina-5-375x500-landscape-8b49f4b322169e51e9317e79dd4a703b-.jpg\" alt=\"Jelina wearing her team tracksuit standing next to European Transplant Football pull up banner\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Jelina Berlow-Rahman\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Jelina-5-375x500-landscape-8b49f4b322169e51e9317e79dd4a703b-.jpg\" alt=\"Jelina wearing her team tracksuit standing next to European Transplant Football pull up banner\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>It&#8217;s hard to accept that my transplanted kidney is failing<\/h3>\r\n<p>7 May 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Pyper family\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Pyper-family-375x500-landscape-570b12a6ef2be4230f30711e956a726a-.jpg\" alt=\"Family picture of mum, dad, little girl and twins being held by parents.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Pyper family\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Pyper-family-375x500-landscape-570b12a6ef2be4230f30711e956a726a-.jpg\" alt=\"Family picture of mum, dad, little girl and twins being held by parents.\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Young twins separated by devastating kidney disease<\/h3>\r\n<p>7 May 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Grant Anderson\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/IMG_5441-500x375-landscape-a1e274b73c0a25109f4b8e991035b849-.jpeg\" alt=\"Six rugby players (2 women and 4 men) standing in a line on the pitch,\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Grant Anderson\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/IMG_5441-500x375-landscape-a1e274b73c0a25109f4b8e991035b849-.jpeg\" alt=\"Six rugby players (2 women and 4 men) standing in a line on the pitch,\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Touch rugby team launches in Scotland for those affected by kidney problems<\/h3>\r\n<p>29 April 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Sulmaan Hanif and Aminah\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Sulmaan-and-Aminah-e1745506697710-500x488-landscape-1389a590d5b840ee13de47c9a56e722d-.jpeg\" alt=\"Sulmaan and Aminah are sitting together at a table in a restaurant. Sulmaan has his arm around Aminah's shoulders as they smile for the photo. They are both wearing black tops. Behind them is a brick wall.\" width=\"500\" height=\"488\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Sulmaan Hanif and Aminah\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Sulmaan-and-Aminah-e1745506697710-500x488-landscape-1389a590d5b840ee13de47c9a56e722d-.jpeg\" alt=\"Sulmaan and Aminah are sitting together at a table in a restaurant. Sulmaan has his arm around Aminah's shoulders as they smile for the photo. They are both wearing black tops. Behind them is a brick wall.\" width=\"500\" height=\"488\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Running the London Marathon after donating a kidney to my little sister<\/h3>\r\n<p>24 April 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Harley-Ray Davies\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/1000023735-500x375-landscape-66b515f5ca9f1648f5d5ef76af309735-.jpg\" alt=\"9 year old girl wearing purple Kidney Research UK tshirt standing centre, with man and woman either side of her.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Harley-Ray Davies\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/1000023735-500x375-landscape-66b515f5ca9f1648f5d5ef76af309735-.jpg\" alt=\"9 year old girl wearing purple Kidney Research UK tshirt standing centre, with man and woman either side of her.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Nine-year-old &#8216;kidney warrior&#8217; hosts Easter party to raise funds for life-saving research<\/h3>\r\n<p>17 April 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Jennie Parker and Sue\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/20180319_120202-500x375-landscape-46bfc5130a89b8d44e36699099900370-.jpg\" alt=\"Sisters sitting in hospital chairs wearing their dressing gowns.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Jennie Parker and Sue\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/20180319_120202-500x375-landscape-46bfc5130a89b8d44e36699099900370-.jpg\" alt=\"Sisters sitting in hospital chairs wearing their dressing gowns.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Flying halfway around the world to donate a kidney to my identical twin sister<\/h3>\r\n<p>15 April 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Edwin and James van Lopik\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Edwin-and-James-van-Lopik-500x281-landscape-b32df025e960016ead0d85bf34f6ba6d-.jpg\" alt=\"Two brothers, with arms around shoulders. Younger brother on the left wearing school uniform and older brother right, wearing purple Kidney Research UK t-shirt.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Edwin and James van Lopik\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Edwin-and-James-van-Lopik-500x281-landscape-b32df025e960016ead0d85bf34f6ba6d-.jpg\" alt=\"Two brothers, with arms around shoulders. Younger brother on the left wearing school uniform and older brother right, wearing purple Kidney Research UK t-shirt.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>School rowing captain leads fight against younger brother&#8217;s rare kidney disease<\/h3>\r\n<p>15 April 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"George Woolley and Ed Woolley\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/IMG_5421-500x333-landscape-316f6be695b37f743a3136d3e2ae9014-.jpeg\" alt=\"Black and white image, of brothers embracing, at a wedding\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"George Woolley and Ed Woolley\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/IMG_5421-500x333-landscape-316f6be695b37f743a3136d3e2ae9014-.jpeg\" alt=\"Black and white image, of brothers embracing, at a wedding\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Older brother donates kidney in life-changing transplant<\/h3>\r\n<p>14 April 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Martyn Rose\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Martyn-Rose-4-e1744202491473-500x341-landscape-3e9fe07b6f420af6cccfcff8c706b5fa-.jpg\" alt=\"Man in white dinner jacket and black shirt, centre, with female wither side of him.\" width=\"500\" height=\"341\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Martyn Rose\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Martyn-Rose-4-e1744202491473-500x341-landscape-3e9fe07b6f420af6cccfcff8c706b5fa-.jpg\" alt=\"Man in white dinner jacket and black shirt, centre, with female wither side of him.\" width=\"500\" height=\"341\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Celebrities unite in fight against kidney disease at charity lunch<\/h3>\r\n<p>9 April 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Paul Vallois\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/0db046ee-8191-42b7-8dda-24c6b4a88066-2-375x500-landscape-2c2622388a65a61c33e2b51be389f4d8-.jpg\" alt=\"Man with his arm around his mum's shoulders after running a marathon\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Paul Vallois\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/0db046ee-8191-42b7-8dda-24c6b4a88066-2-375x500-landscape-2c2622388a65a61c33e2b51be389f4d8-.jpg\" alt=\"Man with his arm around his mum's shoulders after running a marathon\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Every year I celebrate the life my mum has gifted me<\/h3>\r\n<p>25 March 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Tony Knight\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Tony-Knight-333x500-landscape-574f76bd6a01054a7fe7c4a4ecfaa955-.jpg\" alt=\"Tony Knight with his arms in the air while riding his bike\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Tony Knight\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Tony-Knight-333x500-landscape-574f76bd6a01054a7fe7c4a4ecfaa955-.jpg\" alt=\"Tony Knight with his arms in the air while riding his bike\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Malvern kidney patient supports campaign to &#8216;take a wee look down the loo&#8217;<\/h3>\r\n<p>20 March 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Hafsa Begum\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Hafsa-Begum-1-e1741784588257-500x444-landscape-3439129192a3b1a55c84973472ad8c8c-.jpeg\" alt=\"Female in hospital having dialysis. The machine is next to her.\" width=\"500\" height=\"444\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Hafsa Begum\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Hafsa-Begum-1-e1741784588257-500x444-landscape-3439129192a3b1a55c84973472ad8c8c-.jpeg\" alt=\"Female in hospital having dialysis. The machine is next to her.\" width=\"500\" height=\"444\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Noticing changes in my urine saved my life<\/h3>\r\n<p>13 March 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Thomas Vaughan - Take a wee look\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Thomas-Vaughan-Take-a-wee-look-500x375-landscape-32105632adf9658a74226b522d46505c-.jpg\" alt=\"Mum, son and dad in a family picture taken at their offices reception.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Thomas Vaughan - Take a wee look\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Thomas-Vaughan-Take-a-wee-look-500x375-landscape-32105632adf9658a74226b522d46505c-.jpg\" alt=\"Mum, son and dad in a family picture taken at their offices reception.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Son inspires family business in fight against kidney disease<\/h3>\r\n<p>13 March 2025<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Fasting-with-kidney-disease\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Fasting-with-kidney-disease-landscape-61aced8df8fc0b744de8b058e0fed241-.png\" alt=\"Information from Kidney Research UK in partnership with the British Islamic Medical Association.\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Fasting-with-kidney-disease\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Fasting-with-kidney-disease-landscape-61aced8df8fc0b744de8b058e0fed241-.png\" alt=\"Information from Kidney Research UK in partnership with the British Islamic Medical Association.\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\r\n<h3>Mum\u2019s Ramadan plea to doctors as Kidney Research UK launches fasting guidance for kidney disease patients<\/h3>\r\n<p>28 February 2025<\/p>\r\n<!-- .pp-content-posts -->\r\n<h2>Our life-saving research is only possible with your support.<\/h2>\r\n<p>Save lives.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kidneyresearchuk.org\/support\/donate\/\" target=\"_self\"> Donate now <\/a><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What do the kidneys do in our body? The kidneys are highly complex organs that control substances in the blood, blood pressure, and the amount of fluid in the body. They also keep the blood clean and chemically balanced. Acting as very efficient and specialised filters, they work to rid the body of waste and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3359,"parent":152,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3358","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What do kidneys do in the body? | What are the kidneys?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get information about the kidneys and find out what the kidneys do in our body.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/kidney-health-information\/about-kidney-disease\/what-the-kidneys-do\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What do kidneys do in the body? 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