Your kidneys work more than you may realise. Kidneys continuously remove excess body water and harmful waste products, which are a normal part of your body’s function 24 hours a day. Waste products are substances formed from dietary proteins and from normal muscle activities. The excess body water and waste products are removed from your body in the urine.

Besides this important removal or cleaning job, kidneys have several other very important functions. They keep electrolytes such as potassium and sodium (or “salt”) well balanced in your body. Kidneys also produce hormones that help to control blood pressure, produce red blood cells and keep your bones strong.