Rethinking Kidney Health: The Metabolic Powerhouse You’re Ignoring

This is based on the conversation between Thomas and Dr. Jacob Torres. Read the whole Transcript or watch the whole conversation.

When most people think about metabolic health, the liver takes center stage. It’s the go-to organ in conversations about blood sugar, insulin, and fat regulation. But according to Dr. Jacob Torres, a researcher from the University of California, Santa Barbara, there’s another unsung hero in the metabolic orchestra: your kidneys.

In a recent conversation, Dr. Torres pulled back the curtain on how kidneys aren't just filtration systems—they’re dynamic, energy-hungry organs playing a critical role in overall metabolic health. Let’s break down the highlights of this eye-opening discussion.

1. Everything Is Metabolism—Including the Kidneys

Metabolism isn’t just about burning calories or creating energy—it’s the sum of all biochemical reactions happening in your body. That includes energy production, nutrient processing, cell communication, and waste elimination. While we often focus on the liver and mitochondria, Dr. Torres emphasizes that every cell and organ participates in metabolism, including the kidneys.

2. Kidneys: Energy-Intensive, Fat-Loving Organs

Most people think of the kidneys in terms of fluid balance and urination. But metabolically? They're beasts.

The kidneys are packed with mitochondria and burn a tremendous amount of energy to keep your body in balance—especially through the work of ion pumps that regulate sodium and potassium. What fuels all this effort? Fat.

In fact, after a high-fat meal, the kidneys absorb fatty acids into lipid droplets, then release them gradually into circulation. This buffering helps regulate blood fat levels—an elegant and underappreciated function.

3. Fasting, Keto, and Kidney Adaptation

Dr. Torres explains that during fasting or ketogenic states, the kidneys become even more active in regulating fats. They store fatty acids during high supply and release them during demand—like a metabolic reservoir.

But it goes deeper: the kidneys produce ketones, specifically beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), making them the second-largest ketone producers after the liver. Even in non-ketogenic states, they manufacture and reuse ketones to support energy needs, especially in the energy-hungry nephron cells that filter blood.

This suggests that metabolic adaptation—like what happens during consistent keto or fasting—might make kidneys more efficient over time. And those adaptations don’t just vanish when you stop the diet, similar to how fitness gains aren’t instantly lost.

4. What Happens When the System Breaks Down?

In metabolically unhealthy states—such as insulin resistance or chronic inflammation—the kidneys’ ability to burn fat may falter. Damaged mitochondria push the system to use alternative, less efficient energy pathways, which can result in inflammation and toxic byproducts. Over time, this can contribute to kidney disease and overall health decline.

5. Enter KetoCitra: A Potential Therapeutic Tool

KetoCitra is a new dietary supplement containing BHB (the primary ketone body). Developed from research at UCSB, it’s being studied for its potential to support kidney function, especially in conditions like polycystic kidney disease (PKD). It may:

• Offer an alternative energy source for kidney cells

• Bind harmful dietary compounds before they stress the kidneys

• Reduce formation of kidney stones by stopping microcrystal accumulation

• Lower inflammation via immune modulation and mitochondrial support

Early animal studies suggest that BHB supplementation can mimic many benefits of fasting, making it a compelling option even for people not following a ketogenic diet.

6. Polycystic Kidney Disease and Ketones

PKD is a genetic condition that accelerates kidney decline through cyst formation. Dr. Torres’ lab has found that BHB may slow this progression by:

• Reducing inflammation via immune cell signaling

• Supporting mitochondrial health

• Encouraging a shift from glycolysis to fat metabolism

• Increasing the number of mitochondria in kidney cells

In short, ketones may help kidneys function better with less damage, which is a revolutionary idea for a condition with few effective treatments.

7. What This Means for You

Even if you’re not ready to jump into keto, understanding the kidneys’ role in metabolism opens new doors for health optimization. Here are a few takeaways:

• Kidney health = metabolic health. Treat your kidneys with the same respect you give your liver and gut.

• Fasting and ketosis may benefit kidney function, not harm it—contrary to outdated myths.

• Exogenous ketones like BHB may offer kidney support, especially for those with genetic risks or early signs of dysfunction.

• Research is ongoing, but promising. What we’re learning now could reshape how we approach chronic kidney disease in the future.

Final Thoughts
This conversation with Dr. Torres shifts the spotlight to a long-overlooked player in the metabolic drama. Your kidneys are doing far more than filtering—they’re regulating fat, producing ketones, and helping your body maintain balance under stress.

So next time you think about metabolism, don’t forget to thank your kidneys.