Another organ with huge detoxification capacity are the kidneys.
The kidney plays many important roles in maintaining health, ranging from activation of hormones to maintaining stable levels of key molecule in the blood to excretion of toxins. Most consider the kidneys second only to the liver in importance for toxin elimination. However, considering that 20% to 25% of cardiac output goes through these tiny organs, allowing them to filter the blood a remarkable 60 times per day, a case could be made that they are actually more important than the liver for toxin elimination. They rid the body of unwanted products of metabolism such as ammonia, urea, uric acid, creatinine, end products of hemoglobin metabolism, and hormone metabolites; toxins that have been made water soluble by phase 2 in the liver; and direct excretion of industrial toxins, such as heavy metals and a number of new-to-nature molecules. They also excrete nutrients or food constituents when consumed in excess, such as salt, vitamin C, B vitamins, and others.
One of the big challenges for the kidneys is that although they are effective at removing many toxins from the blood, some are difficult to then excrete into the urine. This means they accumulate in the kidneys and as their concentration increases, they can cause damage to the kidneys. Cadmium illustrates this problem well.
Unfortunately, we are now exposed to such a high toxic load in the modern world that loss of function with ageing is considered “normal.” A 90-year-old has only one-third to one-half of the kidney function of a 20-year-old. This means a significant decrease in ability to rid the body of many toxins and helps explain why almost everyone becomes sicker with ageing. Once again, “normal” is not healthy.
As we get older we need to be more aware of kidney health and function. As oestrogen declines, vessels become less elastic, and blood pressure can increase, which is bad for your kidneys.
Other factors affecting kidney function
Salt: excessive salt consumption. The 2 to 6 excessive grams of salt the average person consumes every day appears to overload the kidneys enough to impair their ability to eliminate other toxins, especially acidic metabolic waste products.
Phosphates: Research has shown that excessive phosphorous consumption significantly disrupts hormonal regulation of phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D, causing disordered mineral metabolism; osteoporosis; cardiovascular disease; and impaired kidney function.
“hidden” phosphates are additives used as processing aids, such as acid balancing (especially in carbonated beverage); leavening of bread; color and moisture retention; anticaking; and flavorings.
Smoking: smoking damages the kidneys. It is high in cadmium and nicotine constricts the blood vessels going into the kidneys, thus decreasing glomerular filtration. It also increases generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of fibrotic pathways in the kidneys.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were initially available only by prescription and then became available over the counter when their patents ran out. Many of these now readily available drugs have long-term side effects that are not adequately appreciated by most people. Virtually all safety studies are short term, so many toxic effects are not detected during the research and development stages and are now showing up in population studies. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, and COX-2 inhibitors have now all been shown to cause kidney damage when used chronically.
Microplastics: Research has shown that tiny amounts of plastics that we inadvertently consume on a regular basis can travel to our kidneys and instigate oxidative stress and inflammation slowing down detoxification capabilities. We consume these plastics in drinking water, single use plastic containers and utensils and food.
Cadmium: Cadmium has a worrisome half-life of more than 10 years and it is very difficult to excrete. Cadmium is especially a problem for the kidney, which holds 50% of the total body burden.
The cadmium damage to the kidneys helps explain why it accounts for a surprising 20% of osteoporosis. The final stage in activation of vitamin D into its most active 1,25(OH)2D3 is in the kidneys. As the kidneys degenerate, they not only lose their ability to excrete toxins, but now are less able to perform their other functions. The main sources of cadmium are smoking and conventionally grown soybeans. Both are grown with high phosphate fertilisers that are contaminated with cadmium.
Mercury: Within a few hours of exposure, 50% of the mercury that gets into the blood ends up in the kidneys. Much of the tissue damage appears due to poisoning of the kidney mitochondria so there is not enough ATP (energy currency) for the cells to protect themselves from the toxins they are excreting. The main sources of mercury are so-called “silver” fillings, which are actually 55% mercury and eating large fish.
Persistent Organic Pollutants: The persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are new-to-nature molecules specifically designed for special purposes and to be difficult to break down. They range from herbicides and pesticides, to nonstick coatings, to fire retardants. They are typically mostly fat soluble therefore, particularly damaging to the kidneys.
Many of these chemicals are difficult to detoxify or excrete that they have half-lives measured in months to years.
Fluorinated Hydrocarbons: Tetrafluoroethylene and similar compounds are converted to material, such as Teflon. This class of compounds is used as nonstick coatings on pots and pans; in clothing that is waterproof, but breathable; for stain prevention on carpet and upholstery; and for other purposes. Although these nonstick coatings are supposedly inert, the reality is quite different. When nonstick surfaces are heated to high temperatures on a stovetop, they emit toxic gases. Within only 2 minutes on a hot stove, the nonstick coatings start to release toxic gases. The lowest temperature at which this starts to occur is 392°F, a temperature commonly achieved in the typical kitchen. The temperature at which most oils start to smoke is high enough for the polymers to start breaking down.
They damage the kidneys so harshly resulting in progressive loss of kidney function. Other examples in this toxic class include perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perflourooctanesulfonic (PFOS) acid.