Diabetes at 10x Magnification

The kidneys are organs that primarily function in the filtration of blood. As blood passes through them, urea, toxins and other waste products are separated from the substances the body needs to retain (water, electrolytes, protein, etc.) and concentrated to form urine, which can then be excreted. Diabetes, however, can gradually deteriorate this system. The high levels of glucose in the blood characteristic of diabetes requires extra work from the kidneys, which attempt to filter the sugar out, resulting in the sweet smelling urine that is commonly associated with the disease. Over time, all of the extra strain on the kidneys can cause significant damage, eventually interfering with their ability to properly filter the blood.