#homeostasis

Kidney's Role in Blood Sugar Homeostasis

Most of us may not know that the kidneys also play a role in regulating blood sugar levels in our body. This unawareness can be caused by, among others, the lack of information on this matter or the limited time to find out, because it is generally assumed that the function of the kidneys is only to remove toxins or water no longer needed by the body. In fact, kidney's functions are more diverse. The functions include filtration, absorption, secretion, and excretion. In clinical practice, kidney functions are described as regulating blood pressure, removing toxins and electrolyte waste, regulating the body's acid-base levels, producing hormones (such as erythropoietin, vitamin D), and regulating water and sodium balance. In addition, the kidneys also play a major role in regulating blood sugar levels through a certain mechanism. Therefore, it is natural that these various functions are less known.