Most people have two kidneys, each about the size of a fist, located on either side of the spine at the bottom of the rib cage. In simple terms, kidneys are the body's filter. In a 24-hour period, the kidneys process approximately 200 quarts of blood in order to sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which is stored in the bladder until emptied.
The kidneys perform the critical task of regulating the body's salt, potassium, and acid content. Other functions performed by the kidneys include:
* Control and stimulate red blood cell production
* Release hormones that regulate blood pressure
* Control calcium metabolism
* Remove waste products from the body
* Remove medication/drugs from the body
* Balance the body's fluids
* Produce an active form of vitamin D
Water has long been considered a vital nutrient for aiding in the process of waste removal. The typical recommendation for water consumption in ounces is ½ the person's body weight. Therefore, a 140-pound woman would need to drink 70-ounces of water per day.
However, newer research has caused some doctors and scientists to contradict the belief that we should all flood our bodies with water. Dr. Stanley Goldfarb and Dr. Dan Negoianu, both of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, reviewed the scientific literature on the health effects of drinking a lot of water. On the subject of facilitating toxin excretion, Dr. Goldfarb claimed that the need for excess water was not verified by any sort of scientific study. Dr. Goldfarb said, "The kidneys clear toxins. This is what the kidneys do. They do it very effectively. And they do it independently of how much water you take in. When you take in a lot of water, all you do is put out more urine but not more toxins in the urine."
The need to drink large amounts of water to help flush the kidneys is now somewhat controversial. The best solution is to listen to your body. Drink when you are thirsty. Drink a little more when you are sick, exercising, or spending time outdoors in the summer.
While the amount of water your kidneys require may be lacking scientific studies, the type of water is not. On April 15, 2008, the National Kidney Foundation (NFK) issued a statement that fluoride can damage the bones of kidney patients. Citing a 2006 National Research Council (NRC) report, the NFK withdrew its support of water fluoridation. The NRC report indicated that kidney patients are more susceptible to fluoride's bone and teeth damaging effects. Those with kidney impairment retain more fluoride and risk skeletal fluorosis, fractures, and severe enamel fluorosis.
Unlike the case for kidney health, the case for drinking lots of water to prevent and/or treat kidney stones has concrete data to back it up. Kidney stones are common, affecting approximately 10-percent of the population, and tend to be genetic. They occur more often in men than women, with the average age of initial onset being between 20 and 30 years old. Once afflicted with a kidney stone, a person is as much as 60-percent more likely to get kidney stones again than a person who has never had them.
Symptoms of a kidney stone attack include:
* Sudden extreme pain in the lower back, side, or groin
* Blood in the urine
* Fever and chills
* Vomiting
* A bad odor and/or cloudy appearance to the urine
* A burning sensation during urination
Many doctors and researchers consider increased water intake one of the most effective methods of decreasing the likeliness of kidney stone formation. Insufficient water intake can lead to kidney stones, particularly in those already susceptible. Dr. Gary Faerber, associate professor of urology at the University of Michigan Health System, states that, "One of the best ways to prevent kidney stones is to stay hydrated throughout the entire 24-hour period. I recommend my patients have at least six to eight glasses of water a day, and I ask them to make sure that they spread that throughout the entire day and up until nighttime. This is important year-round but especially important in the summer months."
While the researchers continue to gather their facts, some of us are left wondering whether we should continue to carry that water bottle around with us. For the average person, drinking a few glasses of water and eating foods rich in water content (watermelon, celery, apples, etc.) is likely enough. If you have kidney disease, are concerned that you may have unhealthy kidneys, or you easily develop kidney stones, avoid fluoridated water. Find out if your town or city adds fluoride. If so, avoid tap water and switch to bottled. And if you suffer from kidney stones, err on the side of caution and drink up.
The kidneys perform the critical task of regulating the body's salt, potassium, and acid content. Other functions performed by the kidneys include:
* Control and stimulate red blood cell production
* Release hormones that regulate blood pressure
* Control calcium metabolism
* Remove waste products from the body
* Remove medication/drugs from the body
* Balance the body's fluids
* Produce an active form of vitamin D
Water has long been considered a vital nutrient for aiding in the process of waste removal. The typical recommendation for water consumption in ounces is ½ the person's body weight. Therefore, a 140-pound woman would need to drink 70-ounces of water per day.
However, newer research has caused some doctors and scientists to contradict the belief that we should all flood our bodies with water. Dr. Stanley Goldfarb and Dr. Dan Negoianu, both of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, reviewed the scientific literature on the health effects of drinking a lot of water. On the subject of facilitating toxin excretion, Dr. Goldfarb claimed that the need for excess water was not verified by any sort of scientific study. Dr. Goldfarb said, "The kidneys clear toxins. This is what the kidneys do. They do it very effectively. And they do it independently of how much water you take in. When you take in a lot of water, all you do is put out more urine but not more toxins in the urine."
The need to drink large amounts of water to help flush the kidneys is now somewhat controversial. The best solution is to listen to your body. Drink when you are thirsty. Drink a little more when you are sick, exercising, or spending time outdoors in the summer.
While the amount of water your kidneys require may be lacking scientific studies, the type of water is not. On April 15, 2008, the National Kidney Foundation (NFK) issued a statement that fluoride can damage the bones of kidney patients. Citing a 2006 National Research Council (NRC) report, the NFK withdrew its support of water fluoridation. The NRC report indicated that kidney patients are more susceptible to fluoride's bone and teeth damaging effects. Those with kidney impairment retain more fluoride and risk skeletal fluorosis, fractures, and severe enamel fluorosis.
Unlike the case for kidney health, the case for drinking lots of water to prevent and/or treat kidney stones has concrete data to back it up. Kidney stones are common, affecting approximately 10-percent of the population, and tend to be genetic. They occur more often in men than women, with the average age of initial onset being between 20 and 30 years old. Once afflicted with a kidney stone, a person is as much as 60-percent more likely to get kidney stones again than a person who has never had them.
Symptoms of a kidney stone attack include:
* Sudden extreme pain in the lower back, side, or groin
* Blood in the urine
* Fever and chills
* Vomiting
* A bad odor and/or cloudy appearance to the urine
* A burning sensation during urination
Many doctors and researchers consider increased water intake one of the most effective methods of decreasing the likeliness of kidney stone formation. Insufficient water intake can lead to kidney stones, particularly in those already susceptible. Dr. Gary Faerber, associate professor of urology at the University of Michigan Health System, states that, "One of the best ways to prevent kidney stones is to stay hydrated throughout the entire 24-hour period. I recommend my patients have at least six to eight glasses of water a day, and I ask them to make sure that they spread that throughout the entire day and up until nighttime. This is important year-round but especially important in the summer months."
While the researchers continue to gather their facts, some of us are left wondering whether we should continue to carry that water bottle around with us. For the average person, drinking a few glasses of water and eating foods rich in water content (watermelon, celery, apples, etc.) is likely enough. If you have kidney disease, are concerned that you may have unhealthy kidneys, or you easily develop kidney stones, avoid fluoridated water. Find out if your town or city adds fluoride. If so, avoid tap water and switch to bottled. And if you suffer from kidney stones, err on the side of caution and drink up.
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