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The primary functions of the kidneys are to filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood to produce urine, maintain a balance of water, salts, and minerals in the body, regulate acid-base balance, control blood pressure, stimulate red blood cell production, and convert vitamin D into its active form.  

Key Functions of the Kidneys

  • Red Blood Cell Production: 

    They produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. 

  • Vitamin D Activation: 

    Kidneys convert inactive vitamin D into its active form (calcitriol), which is essential for calcium and phosphate balance and healthy bones. 

  • Long-Term Health: 

    By performing these functions, the kidneys keep the blood composition stable and support overall health. 

  • Waste Removal: 

    The kidneys act as filters, removing toxins and metabolic waste products like urea, creatinine, and uric acid from the blood, which are then excreted in urine. 

  • Fluid & Electrolyte Balance: 

    They control the balance of water, sodium, potassium, calcium, and other electrolytes in the blood, helping to regulate plasma osmolality. 

  • Acid-Base Balance: 

    Kidneys help maintain the body's pH level by producing and reabsorbing bicarbonate, which neutralizes acids. 

  • Blood Pressure Regulation: 

    The kidneys produce the hormone renin, which is crucial for regulating blood pressure. 

Kidney Function

Kidney function testing

Two simple tests can check how well your kidneys are functioning. The first is a blood test called estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the second is a urine test known as the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR). Both tests are needed to have a clear picture of your kidney health.

  1. Albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) measures the albumin (a kind of protein) in your pee. Having too much albumin may mean your kidney’s filtering units have been damaged by disease. One positive result could be due to fever or heavy exercise, so your doctor will want to confirm your test over 3 months.

  2. Estimated glomerular rate (eGFR) is a blood test measuring creatinine (a waste product from the digestion of dietary protein and the normal breakdown of muscle tissue) from which kidney function levels can be estimated. Aside from having kidney disease, creatinine levels can be affected by other factors, including diet, muscle (weight of your muscles), pregnancy, malnutrition, chronic illnesses, and more.

The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining physiological homeostasis by filtering the body's blood supply, which ranges from approximately 4.5 to 5.5 litres. They are responsible for removing toxins and excess fluids. As blood circulates through the body around 400 times per day, the kidneys collectively filter close to 200 litres of blood daily—equivalent to about 1.3 litres per minute, depending on fluid intake. Each kidney contains approximately one million nephrons, specialised microscopic filters that facilitate this essential cleansing process.

Each 600mg vegetable capsule contains the following active ingredients: 150mg Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus extract); 150mg Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris xtract); 150mg Grapeseed (Vitis vinifera extract); 100mg Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum extract); 50mg Ginger (Zingiber officinale extract)

DNA-RENAL-FAST CAPSULES 

Each 600mg vegetable capsule contains the following active ingredients (Recommended dosage: 3 capsules daily):

Astragalus Extract (Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus may support renal health by promoting improved blood flow and positively influencing laboratory markers of kidney function. Clinical studies have demonstrated that astragalus supplementation can reduce proteinuria in patients with kidney disease. Additionally, it may play a role in infection prevention among individuals with compromised renal function. Notably, daily administration over three to six months has been associated with a 38% reduction in infection risk for patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Reference: Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Xu C, Leung C, Chan LS. *Astragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease*. PMID: 25335553 PMCID: PMC10589061 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008369.pub2

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Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris extract)

When utilized as an adjunct to standard medical therapy, Cordyceps militaris has demonstrated potential benefits including decreased serum creatinine, increased creatinine clearance, reduced proteinuria, and improvement of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related complications such as elevated hemoglobin and serum albumin levels. A large-scale trial indicated that cordyceps supplementation was effective in lowering creatinine among individuals with CKD; further research suggests potential protective effects against nephrotoxicity, diabetes-related complications, and transplant rejection.

Reference: *Cordyceps militaris Improves Chronic Kidney Disease by Affecting TLR4/NF-κB Redox Signaling Pathway*. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 Nov 24;2020:1981636.

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Ginger (Zingiber officinale extract)

Ginger phenolics may assist in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease by improving multiple aspects of renal function. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that ginger's phenolic compounds possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and renoprotective properties across various models of drug-induced and metabolic kidney injury.

Reference: *Revisiting the protective effects of ginger phenolic compounds on the kidneys: A narrative review.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2024.100442

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Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum extract)

Rhubarb supplementation has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing the outcomes of conservative management in patients with stage 3 and stage 4 CKD. Adjunctive use appears to improve clinical features and biochemical parameters while maintaining a favorable safety profile. Key phytoconstituents include rhein—known for hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities—and emodin, which exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects potentially beneficial in cancer, osteoporosis, as well as various cardiovascular, central nervous system, hepatic, metabolic, and respiratory conditions.

Reference: *Evaluation of Rhubarb Supplementation in Stages 3 and 4 of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial*. PMCID: PMC4590915 PMID: 26464863

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150mg Grapeseed (Vitis vinifera extract)

Grapeseed extract (GSE) has been shown to enhance glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and reduce proteinuria. Further, GSE elevates antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increases in plasma catalase and superoxide dismutase, and reduces lipid peroxidation—thereby protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Additional benefits include lowered protein carbonylation, decreased inflammation (lower CRP), reduced triglycerides, and mitigation of anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Reference: *Grape seed powder improves renal failure of chronic kidney disease patients*. PMCID: PMC5083963 PMID: 27822171

Renal-Fast

Healthy kidneys are vital because they filter waste, regulate fluid and mineral balance, control blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and activate vitamin D for bone health. Maintaining kidney health helps prevent complications like heart disease, stroke, anemia, and kidney failure, which can lead to the need for dialysis or a transplant

Both the kidneys and the liver are responsible for filtering toxins and waste products from the blood. The kidneys eliminate these substances through urine, while the liver metabolizes and excretes them through bile.

When the kidneys do not function properly due to kidney disease, their ability to filter waste decreases. This leads to the accumulation of harmful waste products in the blood, placing an additional burden on the liver. Consequently, the liver has to work harder to compensate for the compromised filtration function of the kidneys.

This interplay between the kidneys and liver highlights the importance of maintaining the health of both organs for effective detoxification. If either organ is unable to perform its role efficiently, the body’s overall ability to remove toxins is compromised, which can lead to further health complications.

For more information on liver health click on the following link www.dna-biopharm-sa.com/dermapsor

DNA GFR1
Rhubarb
Ginger
Cordyceps
Resveratrol
Astragalus
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