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Cranberry Urinary Tract Infections

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In a study reported in the March 9, 1994 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular consumption of cranberry juice reduced the frequency of bacteria and white blood cells, the body's response to infection, in the urine of 153 older women. Median age of the volunteers was 78.5 years.

Although anecdotal evidence from the 1920s to the 1970s suggested that the acidification of the urine by cranberry juice was effective in treating cystitis, an inflammation of the urinary baladder, the JAMA study was the first placebo-controlled, large-scale clinical trial to address the issue, according to Jerry Avorn, M.D., of the Harvard Medical School, the principal investigator.

In an earlier study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in May 1991, the researchers suggest there is a compound in cranberry and blueberry juices which may prevent E. coli, the most common cause of urinary tract infections, from adhering to the lining of the bladder.

During the Harvard study, the women who drank 10 ounces of cranberry juice daily for six months were 58 percent less likely to have bacteriuria (bacteria in the urine) and pyuria (white blood cells, causing pus in the urine) than the women who were given a placebo drink.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) includes a variety of conditions, such as cystitis. These infections are said to add over $ 1 billion to our annual health-care bill.

Because of their anatomy, women are 10 times more likely to have a UTI than men. About 25 to 35 percent of women between the ages of 20 and 40 have had at least one UTI.

In women, a UTI generally develops when bacteria from the rectal area colonize in the nearby vagina, enter the urethra, and penetrate the bladder, causing an infection. Symptoms include pain during urination and frequency and urgency of urination. If the infection reaches the kidneys, it can cause fever, chills, flank pain and the justnamed complications.

Men are less susceptible to UTIs because the opening of the urethra at the end of the penis is a considerable distance from the rectal area, the source of the bacteria. In addition, the opening of the urethra is surrounded by dry epidermal cells, rather than the moist mucosal cells women have in the vagina.

Causes of cystitis include poor hygiene, vigorous intercourse and infrequent urination. Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement spreads bacteria. Also implicated are feminine hygiene sprays, douches and bubble baths. To prevent an infection, also avoid wearing tight clothing and wear cotton underwear. Women who hold urine unnecessarily are also at risk in developing UTIs.

Cranberry Urinary Tract Infections

Have you ever wondered what exactly taking cranberry supplements can do for your health and if you should take them? You may have heard of different reasons for taking them, but were not sure if they were right for you. One of the most common uses of cranberry supplements is for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Cranberry juice has long been an effective and natural way to treat urinary tract infections, and cranberry supplements can work just as well.

Cranberry has other names that you may not be aware of that include American cranberry, Arandano, Mossberry and Vaccinium species. Cranberries prevent the bacteria that we come in contact with from sticking to the cells of the lining of the bladder. Some experts believe that cranberry and cranberry supplements can prevent kidney stones from developing and also removing the toxins from the blood.

There is not a specified amount of cranberry supplements that is advised to take, and since it is all natural you really can't overdo it on this supplement. You should try to include at least 800 mg of cranberry juice concentrate or extract in your diet every day. If you are not a big fan of the taste of cranberry juice or do not see yourself being able to drink that much every day, cranberry supplements can be a very easy way to get the recommended amount of cranberry in your diet.

When a cranberry is in its early stages, it starts to naturally produce molecules that are called flavonoids. These are thought to carry a lot of beneficial antibacterial abilities. The cranberry then produces a molecule of sugar that is essential for the health of the urinary tract. The flavonoids that are contained in cranberries are capable of killing off bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections.

In addition, cranberry supplements may also be able to protect us against heart disease and some kinds of cancer. Cranberry supplements are available in capsule form which makes them very easy to consume. The capsules are made from the dried and ground up berries but do not have the fiber so your body is able to absorb the nutrients better. Cranberry supplements also do not have a high sugar concentrate like some forms of cranberry juice may have, so you do not have to worry about taking in a lot of calories to get the potent benefits of cranberries.

If you do prefer to drink cranberry juice, make sure that you do not get the cocktail versions that contain very little cranberry juice and a lot of sugar. Instead, try to find the cranberry juice from concentrate that has all of the cranberry content that you are looking for with a lower amount of sugar.

Cranberry supplements are most definitely a good one to include in your diet. They can help you to either improve your health or to keep you healthy and infection free.

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Both Joe Bella & Shannon Pollock are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Joe Bella has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Travel and Leisure and Skin Care. Learn how d-mannose and cranberry help both prostate and urinary concerns and prevent those during the night trips to the bathroom. See: Cranberry Urinary Infect. Joe Bella's top article generates over 14800 views. Bookmark Joe Bella to your Favourites.

Shannon Pollock has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Infections and Energy Healing. Shannon Pollock has been teaching people about natural health remedies for many years. She is a specialist with experience in natural remedies for both people and animals.For more information on the benefits of cranberry supplements, as well as other nat. Shannon Pollock's top article generates over 33100 views. Bookmark Shannon Pollock to your Favourites.

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