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

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Aug 7, 2025

Dr. Richard Johnson, a Professor emeritus focused on kidney disease, joins Mike Haney to dive into kidney health. They discuss how the Western diet negatively influences kidney function, with common culprits like diabetes and high blood pressure being key risk factors. The duo emphasizes the importance of biomarkers in assessing kidney health, including serum creatinine and albumin levels. They also explore the effects of lifestyle changes, heat stress, and the significance of maintaining a balanced diet to protect these vital organs.

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INSIGHT

Kidneys: The Body's Great Regulators

Kidneys filter 180 liters of blood daily and produce 1.5 liters of urine.
They regulate electrolytes, make vitamin D, and produce hormones for red blood cells.

ANECDOTE

Kidney Calling: A Surgeon’s Tale

Richard Johnson got interested in kidneys after taking over a kidney ward alone for two months.
A memorable case involved a boy whose father donated a kidney after an accident injury.

INSIGHT

Heat Stress Harms Kidneys

Kidneys are vulnerable to heat stress due to their role in water retention.
An epidemic of kidney disease in hot climates is linked to heat stress and toxins inhaled by sugarcane workers.

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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.

🎙 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

Subscribe here on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

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/