The kidneys are crucial for filtering waste products and excess fluids from the blood, producing urine as the final output. While they play an essential role in overall detoxification, especially for metabolic waste like urea and creatinine, they are not primarily responsible for neutralizing or breaking down toxins — that job belongs to the liver. The liver chemically processes harmful compounds, including alcohol, drugs, and environmental pollutants, before they reach the kidneys. Think of the liver as the body’s chemical processor and the kidneys as the physical filter. Both work in tandem, but the liver is the first line of defense for detoxifying the blood. Understanding this distinction helps clarify why liver health is so vital when it comes to managing toxins.