#279 - Kidney function explained: Tests, risks, and habits that protect your health | Dr. Richard Johnson and Mike Haney

Our kidneys filter out waste while retaining substances the body needs, such as electrolytes. Kidney health, which can be assessed with blood and urine biomarker tests, is paramount to overall health. Yet lifestyle, such as the Western diet and other factors, can damage the kidneys, leading to either a slow progression of issues or acute injury. Dr. Rick Johnson and Mike Haney discuss the role of the kidneys, what lifestyle factors affect kidney health, ways to support the kidneys, and what your biomarker results tell you about the function of these crucial organs.

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🎙 What Rick Johnson, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

4:26 — Your kidneys are great regulators

8:43 — Heat stress affects the kidneys

12:04 — The most common causes of kidney disease include diabetes and high blood pressure

19:46 — The Western diet is associated with age-related kidney decline 

32:25 — The concerns of a high-protein diet in the presence of chronic kidney disease

41:15 — Changes in urinary habits or color could indicate chronic kidney disease

46:23 — Biomarkers can help assess kidney function

53:18 — Serum creatinine as a biomarker of kidney health

1:08:13 — Assessing patterns over time is crucial

1:10:52 — High albumin in the urine is a sign of kidney disease

1:21:26 — Lifestyle changes that support kidney health

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🔗 Helpful links:
Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/8_QSuYwo5wg

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Richard Johnson, MD: https://drrichardjohnson.com

Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology: https://drrichardjohnson.com/books/

Connect with Richard Johnson, MD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrichardjjohnson/