The Healthy Way

Monday, January 29, 2007

Cranberries not just for turkey

Q: I have had reoccurring symptoms of urinary tract infections. I have been on several antibiotics and they only help for a while and then the symptoms return.

I also went to see a specialist and he gave me antibiotics for three months. Are there any natural remedies for urinary tract infections?

Signed, Joanna

A: There is a number of different ways to treat a reoccurring Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

I am assuming your doctor found infecting bacteria in your urine and therefore has prescribed you antibiotics.

It is important to also exclude candida as an infecting organism, either together with the bacteria or on its own.

I would start by cleaning your bowel and making sure you are not constipated. Most infections arise from one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon. A blocked bowel serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast and can cause chronic discomfort.

Chlamydia or mycoplasma may also be a cause of UTI. Unlike E. coli, chlamydia and mycoplasma may be sexually transmitted, and infections require treatment of both partners.

The most common and widely used natural aid is cranberry juice.

Evidence suggests that it is the antioxidant flavonoids called proanthocyanins that prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract. A study published in the Canadian Journal of Urology (2002) compared pure cranberry juice, cranberry extract tablets, and placebo in 150 women at high risk for infections. The juice and tablets both significantly reduced UTIs. Of the two, the tablets were the most effective.

Addition of D-Mannose, a natural sugar, to the cranberry extract significantly improves its effectiveness.

Herbs such as Uva Ursi, Goldenseal, Marshmallow root or Buchu are also helpful in fighting against UTIs.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online here