Your kidneys never signed up to filter all that extra sugar!
1 July 2026
In Australian Health Awareness calendar, there are 2 significant weeks in July. The Kidney Health Week from 1-7 July and the National Diabetes Week from 12-18 July.
Let’s explore the role of the kidney for our health and how diabetes and the kidney are linked.
What is the role of the kidneys?
The kidneys are located below your ribcage at the back of your abdomen, one on each side of the spine. They are bean-shaped organs. The kidneys play a vital role in your body. Without working kidneys, you would struggle to process toxins and get rid of waste, and this would have a devastating impact on your health.
Kidneys filter and circulate fresh supply of blood around your body 12 times every hour. They get rid of excess fluid, unwanted chemicals, and waste in your blood. These are flushed in the one to two litres of urine that you pass each day.
How are your kidneys connected to diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease where the levels of blood sugar are too high. Normally, when you eat, your body makes a hormone called insulin that helps the sugar move from your blood into your body’s cells where it is used as energy. If you have diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the insulin that is made is not used properly by your body. This leads to the levels of sugar in your blood staying high. The high sugars from diabetes can damage the small blood vessels of the eyes, feet, and kidneys. In the kidneys, high sugar levels damage the nephrons, which are the filters of the kidneys, making it harder for your kidney to filter wastes from your blood. Diabetes also increases the amount of sugar in your urine. This can increase the risk for bacteria to grow and cause kidney infections that may lead to further damage. In Australia, 50% of all people with diabetes will develop diabetic kidney disease, a type of chronic kidney disease.
How can I reduce my risk of chronic kidney disease?
The good news is that the same lifestyle choices that help your kidneys can prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Be sure to:
eat a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and wholegrains
drink water over sugary drinks when you are thirsty
reduce salt intake to <5 grams per day
avoid highly processed foods and added sugars
keep active, aiming for 30 minutes of moderate intensity movement on most days.
How often should I get a kidney health check?
Kidney health check is done through your general practitioner, and is usually includes a blood test, urine test and blood pressure check.
Get a Kidney Health Check yearly if you:
have diabetes
have high blood pressure
are First Nations Australian over 18 years old
If you don’t have the above conditions but have any other risk factors (for example, you’re a smoker or have a history of kidney disease in your family), you should also get a Kidney Health Check but repeat the check every two years. If you do not have any risk factors for kidney disease, there’s no need for you to undertake a Kidney Health Check – unless your doctor wants to conduct a test for other reasons. (Kidney Health Australia, 2026).
Are you at risk? Take this two-minute Kidney Risk Test to find out.
Are you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes? Complete the Diabetes Risk calculator here:
Type 2 diabetes risk calculator | Diabetes Australia