Cranberry Juice Treatment for a UTI

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria (typically E.coli) enter the bladder or kidneys and start to multiply. According to the American Urological Association, UTIs are the reason for 8.3 million visits to the doctor each year. Thankfully, when an infection is caught and treated early enough, it will often disappear in two to three days.

The Facts

• It was initially hypothesized that cranberries caused an acidic reaction in the bladder that killed the bacteria. Recent research has discovered that the sugar, known as D-Mannose sugar, is actually the cause of its effectiveness. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, "Cranberry has been found to specifically inhibit hemagglutination of E. coli by expression of types 1 and P adhesin through the component compounds fructose and proanthocyanidins."

Causes

• For women, most UTIs are caused by sexual intercourse. Gynecologists have cleverly dubbed this type of infection "honeymoon cystitis" and E. coli bacteria is usually the culprit. These bacteria are usually helpful to the body, but when swept into the urethra, they must latch onto the walls of the urethra and bladder for survival. Infections in men are much less common and are typically the result of another condition, such as an obstruction in the urethra. Men with UTIs can try cranberry juice, but it is recommended that they seek the assistance of a physician.

Symtoms

• Symptoms associated with an infection include a constant urge to urinate, cloudy urine, a burning sensation while urinating, and cramping after urination. In order for cranberry juice to be effective, treatment should begin within the first day of symptoms. If treatment is delayed, the bacteria can spread to a point where cranberry juice and the immune system are no longer sufficient for eliminating the bacteria.

Cranberry Juice

• Cranberry has been used medicinally since the 1700's to treat everything from stomach ulcers to blood disorders. Recent studies have revealed that it is extremely effective in treating bladder infections. According to a study published in the Journal of Urology, cranberry is effective at preventing the bladder adherence of E. coli and other gram-negative uropathogens.

  Another study published in 2001 found that women with re-occurring bladder infections who were given cranberry juice supplemental for 12 months had less re-occurrences of infection than those who were given no nutritional intervention.

  Treatment with cranberry juice has been shown to be completely safe, with no adverse side effects or reactions. According to The American Family Physician, "The recommended dosing for UTI prophylaxis is based on the most recent positive randomized controlled trial 19 that used one tablet of concentrated cranberry extract (300 to 400 mg) twice daily, or 8 oz of pure unsweetened cranberry juice three times daily." No studies have been conducted on the long-term effects of cranberry juice treatment for UTI, so physicians are still discouraged from recommending its long-term use in chronic patients.

D-Mannose

• D-Mannose is an extracted sugar taken from cranberries that has been proven very effective at completely curing a UTI. When used in the infection's early stages, D-Mannose coats the bladder and prevents E. coli from colonizing in the walls of the bladder and urethra. D-Mannose is the natural treatment recommended by naturopathic physician for UTI, and is known for showing results within two days. D-Mannose can be obtained at all natural food stores including Whole Foods Market, or directly from a naturopath.