Kidneys 101: The Vital Organs You’re Probably Ignoring

by Jes Williams @feelmoregooder

Role of the Kidneys

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of a fist, located in your lower back. These essential organs play a crucial role in maintaining overall health. They remove metabolic waste, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, support bone health, and perform many other vital functions. (1)

The kidneys also work closely with the cardiovascular system to maintain what’s known as hemodynamic stability. This refers to the ability to keep blood flow steady, which is reflected in stable blood pressure and heart rate. (2)

Additionally, renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration—the tiny filters in your kidneys—are essential for proper kidney function. There is a delicate balance between renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, and any change in one can impact the other.

Eastern View on the Kidneys

While Western medicine focuses on the physical and biochemical aspects of the kidneys, it’s insightful to explore how other cultures view these vital organs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are considered a foundational organ, storing vital “essence” (Jing) that is essential for growth, reproduction, and development. (7)

The kidneys are also linked to the water element in Eastern medicine, playing a role in bone health and representing emotions such as willpower and fear. Interestingly, many Eastern medicine practices view emotions as interconnected with physical health—impacting hormones and energy flow in the body. Suppressed emotions, in particular, are believed to manifest as physical ailments.

Dietary Approach for Kidney Health

For many years, it was believed that a protein-heavy diet could harm kidney function. However, this idea has since been debunked. In fact, research now suggests that a nutrient-rich, protein-focused diet can support optimal kidney function.

Studies show that higher dietary protein intake—whether plant-based or animal-based—is associated with a reduced risk of chronic kidney disease. For instance, athletes consuming high protein levels (even exceeding 2.0 g/kg/day) have not shown an increased risk of kidney disease or kidney function impairment. Furthermore, a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 148,051 participants confirmed that a high-protein diet significantly reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease. (3-5)

Impact of Salt on the Kidneys

Dr. John Gildea of Mara Labs explains, “The whole world is telling you to eat less salt. But you have a salt thermostat in your brain that is very hard to override.” Like the misconception about protein, there is more complexity to the relationship between salt and kidney health than commonly understood.

Research indicates that consuming high-quality, unrefined natural sea salt can actually help protect against hypertension and kidney damage. (6) It’s important to note that this refers to natural sea salt, not the highly processed table salt commonly found in foods.

BrocElite & Kidney Health

Sulforaphane, a compound found in certain vegetables, was shown in a 2012 study to have a positive impact on individuals with chronic kidney disease. (8) Specifically, sulforaphane improved renal blood flow, increased oxygen levels in kidney tissues, and reduced the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the kidneys.

At Mara Labs, we’ve tested BrocElite, a product that contains sulforaphane along with other isothiocyanates, which work together to provide even more powerful benefits for kidney health. We tested BrocElite on renal proximal tubule cells—the most fragile cells in the body—and found that it improved kidney cell growth without showing any toxic effects, unlike certain drugs (e.g., ibuprofen).

Sulforaphane Protects Kidneys from Glyphosate

Another benefit of taking BrocElite for kidney health is its ability to help protect against the harmful effects of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide (often known as RoundUp). Sulforaphane helps detoxify glyphosate from the body.

Glyphosate interferes with cell-to-cell communication in the body, which can disrupt vital processes and cause damage. However, studies show that sulforaphane from BrocElite can restore normal cell communication, helping to reverse this damage and maintain kidney function.

Sunlight & Kidney Health

At Mara Labs, we strongly advocate for using natural, healing tools to support overall health. Sunlight is one of those tools. Research indicates that increasing vitamin D levels through ultraviolet (UV) light exposure can be beneficial for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). (9) Sunlight also helps improve blood pressure, calcium and bone metabolism, and modulates the immune system in those with CKD. (10)

Circadian Rhythmicity and Kidney Health

In addition to getting outside for sufficient sunlight, it’s important to maintain a balanced circadian rhythm, or natural 24-hour cycle. Studies show that disruptions in this rhythm are linked to a higher risk of chronic kidney disease and can negatively affect kidney function and metabolism. (11, 12)