Obesity not only damages the liver, but the kidneys are also silently suffering damage!

In the general public's cognition, the relationship between obesity and liver health is well known. Obesity can easily lead to fatty liver, and in severe cases, it can even develop into cirrhosis. However, many people ignore the potential threat of obesity to the kidneys. In fact, obesity is like a hidden health killer. In silence, the kidneys are also suffering from the heavy damage caused by obesity.

How obesity harms the kidneys

Effects of metabolic disorders

Obese people are often accompanied by metabolic disorders, which is one of the important factors that damage the kidneys. Obesity often leads to fat accumulation in the body, causing insulin resistance, which reduces the body's sensitivity to insulin. In order to maintain blood sugar balance, the pancreas has to secrete more insulin, which forms hyperinsulinemia. High insulin will increase the reabsorption of sodium by the renal tubules, leading to water and sodium retention, increased blood volume, and thus increased the burden on the kidneys.

At the same time, obesity can also cause abnormal lipid metabolism, with elevated lipid components such as triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, forming hyperlipidemia. These excessive lipids will deposit in the blood vessel walls and glomeruli of the kidneys, causing glomerular sclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis. It is like laying a thick layer of "grease" on the "pipes" of the kidneys, hindering the normal blood circulation and metabolic function of the kidneys, causing the kidneys to gradually lose their normal filtering and excretion capabilities.

The chain reaction of high blood pressure

Obesity is an important risk factor for hypertension. Excessive body fat in obese people can cause arteriosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy, leading to increased peripheral vascular resistance and increased blood pressure. Hypertension is very harmful to the kidneys. Long-term hypertension can cause the arterioles of the kidneys to be in a state of high pressure, thickening and hardening of the blood vessel walls, narrowing of the lumen, and reduced blood perfusion to the kidneys.

The kidney is an organ that is highly dependent on blood supply. Ischemia can cause ischemic damage to the glomeruli, which in turn affects the filtration function of the glomeruli. As the disease progresses, the glomeruli will gradually harden, the tubules will atrophy, and the function of the kidneys will continue to decline, which may eventually lead to renal failure. According to statistics, the risk of renal damage in obese patients with hypertension is several times higher than that of people with normal weight.

Disruption of the inflammatory response

Obesity can also trigger a chronic low-grade inflammatory response. Adipose tissue is not only a place for energy storage, but also an active endocrine organ that secretes a variety of adipose factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), etc. These adipose factors have pro-inflammatory effects and can lead to a chronic inflammatory state throughout the body.

In the kidneys, inflammatory responses activate a series of cell signaling pathways, leading to proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells and increased matrix, destroying the normal structure and function of the glomeruli. Inflammation can also damage renal tubular epithelial cells, affecting the reabsorption and secretion functions of the tubules. At the same time, inflammatory responses can also promote oxidative stress in the kidneys, produce a large number of free radicals, further damage kidney cells, and accelerate the progression of kidney disease.

Symptoms of kidney problems caused by obesity

1. Proteinuria : This is one of the common manifestations of obesity-related kidney damage. Due to the damage to the glomerular filtration function, proteins that cannot pass through the glomerular filtration membrane leak into the urine, forming proteinuria. In the early stage, it may only be microalbuminuria. As the disease worsens, the degree of proteinuria will gradually increase.

2. Edema : Water and sodium retention caused by obesity and impaired kidney function will prevent the body from excreting water normally, causing edema. Edema usually first appears in the eyelids, lower limbs and other parts, and in severe cases can spread to the whole body.

3. Decreased renal function : As obesity continues to cause more damage to the kidneys, renal function indicators such as blood creatinine and urea nitrogen will gradually increase, indicating that the excretion and metabolic functions of the kidneys have been seriously affected. Patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, which greatly affects their quality of life.

Prevention and improvement measures

1. Control your weight : This is the key to preventing obesity-related kidney damage. Through a reasonable diet and moderate exercise, reduce calorie intake, increase energy expenditure, and gradually lose weight. In terms of diet, you should control the intake of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar foods, and increase the intake of foods rich in dietary fiber such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. In terms of exercise, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc., can also be appropriately combined with strength training to increase the basal metabolic rate.

2. Control blood pressure and blood sugar : For obese people with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, active measures should be taken to control blood pressure and blood sugar. Take antihypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs on time according to the doctor's advice, monitor blood pressure and blood sugar levels regularly, adjust treatment plans, and control blood pressure and blood sugar within the ideal range.

3. Regular physical examinations : Obese people should undergo regular physical examinations, including renal function tests and urine routine tests, so as to detect kidney problems early and take timely intervention measures. Early detection and treatment can effectively delay the progression of kidney disease and protect kidney function.

The harm of obesity to kidneys should not be underestimated. We should fully realize the close relationship between obesity and kidney health, maintain a healthy lifestyle, actively prevent and control obesity, protect our kidneys, and keep our bodies away from the health risks brought by obesity.