The kidneys. While plenty know what they are, many remain unsure as to what they actually do, despite the fact they’re a really hardworking part of the body. Part of the urinary system, kicking in after digestion, they play a crucial role in bodily function. Constantly on alert, these bean-shaped powerhouses are filters that keep the body healthy by sorting the good stuff from the not-so-good, then directing it all to the right place. Deep red in colour and each about the size of a fist, they sit either side of the spine, beneath the bottom ribs at the back of the body. They’re made up of three layers – each with its own function – comprising an array of cells, filters and sensors.
Ilse-Marie Sobering is a yoga and mindfulness teacher and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner at Viva la Vida Lifestyle in Andalusia, Spain, with a particular interest in the body’s major organs. She says: ‘The kidneys play a part in bone growth and development, nourishing the marrow, which is the body’s source of red and white blood cells.’ They also help regulate blood pressure, and activate a form of vitamin D that helps the body to absorb calcium.