Q&A Highlights from an interview with Dr. Jonathan Himmelfarb, an expert in kidney health based at Mount Sinai in New York City. Originally covered in a feature on reducing chronic kidney disease. NIHNiH: How do conditions like diabetes, obesity, or heart disease contribute to kidney problems? Himmelfarb: Because the kidneys are constantly filtering blood, they're exposed to everything in circulation — including harmful substances. In diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels and altered