10 Natural Remedies For A Urinary Tract Infection #1 – D-Mannose Found in cranberries, blueberries, apples, and even birch trees, d-mannose is a simple sugar that acts as a magnet for e. coli, the most common cause of UTI’s. Because it is indigestible to us it simply grabs as much e. coli as it can and then flushes through the body without affecting our blood sugar. The best part? It’s considered safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children if consumed in moderate amounts. How to choose a D-Mannose supplement: Though I’m usually a fan of taking supplements in their whole form, D-Mannose is most effective as a concentrate. Natural D-Mannose is derived from birch/beech wood using a solvent-free separation process and is a white, sweet powder. It has no known side effects. On the other hand, synthetically produced D-Mannose may use potentially harmful chemicals in its manufacture. I recommend taking this in powder form to avoid potential GMO additives. Contraindications: D-Mannose can bind to sperm, so couples that are trying to conceive should avoid this supplement. Also, D-Mannose only works for infections related to e. coli. If another strain is the issue it will not have a therapeutic effect. #2 – Cranberry Extract Cranberry extract works well as a preventative measure because it prevents e. coli from attaching to bladder wall and urinary tract lining. It can also be used to assist D-Mannose in flushing out e. coli. Though pure cranberry juice with no added sugar is a good second choice, the naturally occurring fructose it contains will diminish it’s healing properties. #3 – Probiotics It can be taken by mouth and used as a suppository to help repopulate the vaginal area with good bacteria. #4 – Natural Vitamin C Vitamin C stimulates immune function by increasing our levels of interferon, a protein which block the replication of pathogenic microbes. How To Choose A Vitamin C Supplement: About 99% of all vitamin C products on the market today are synthetically made ascorbic acid or something similar, and some studies show that these synthetic versions can actually weaken the mitochondria and possibly cause kidney stones. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to tell what’s what just by reading labels: Almost all of the vitamin C in supplements is made in a laboratory, despite labeling that implies otherwise. For example, the label might say, “ascorbic acid from sago palm.” Dextrose, a form of sugar that contains no vitamin C at all, is extracted from sago palm and used as the base molecular material for a complex laboratory process that synthesizes vitamin C. Or the label might say “vitamin C derived from the finest natural sources.” True, but the vitamin C was synthesized. It might also say “with rose hips and acerola,” which are then used as the base material for the tablet or capsule. But a tablet of rose hips or acerola can contain only about forty milligrams of truly natural vitamin C; the rest is synthesized. #5 – Apple Cider Vinegar When combined with Vitamin C, apple cider vinegar may increase the acidity of urine enough to kill off pathogenic bacteria. (source) #6 – Fermented Cod Liver Oil Unlike industrially processed cod liver oil, fermented cod liver oil is rich in naturally occurring vitamins A & D. “Vitamin D, it turns out, is necessary for the production of anti-microbial peptides, substances that fight off infection-causing bacteria, fungi, and viruses when these pathogens try to move into organs and through mucous membranes.” Some of these peptides, called cathelicidins, work specifically in the bladder. (source) Vitamin A helps cells maintain their integrity, making them for resistant to bacterial infection. # 7 – Homeopathic Remedies The five most popular remedies for UTI’s are cantharis, berberis, sarsaparilla, staphysagria, and pulsatilla. And A Few More Things . . Like take showers instead of baths (#8), wear loose, cotton underwear (#9), and DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!! (#10). What I Didn’t Include: Baking Soda Though baking soda won’t cure a UTI, it will lower the pH of urine so that it doesn’t burn. Though pain relief is a good thing and possibly appropriate at times, I think it’s better to raise the pH and kill the pathogenic microbes rather than lower it and ease discomfort.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 10:51:50 +0000
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