Bladder Supplements

What could be more irritating than a urinary tract infection, and all of the signs and symptoms that go along with it, like burning upon urination, an intense urge to urinate (even when nothing comes out), pain in the lower back or abdomen, fever, fatigue, and so much more … It’s no holiday on a sun-drenched beach with a coconut water by your side. No, it certainly isn’t that. It’s something much more sinister. And if you are currently battling with this, then fear not! There are supplemental, dietary and lifestyle measure that can be taken to ensure that the infection passes with more dignity than your urine currently is. However, if the infection is serious, you should consult with your healthcare professional.

Cystitis, or urinary tract infections, are usually caused by a bacterial infection. However, infection are not caused simply by exposure to the infection. Host resistance is also an important determinant. And what the heck does this mean? Allow me to illustrate. Sally, who eats well, manages her stress level, supplements, gets enough sleep and exercises regularly, will likely have a more robust immune response than Betty, who eats minimally, takes no manage her stress level, and would generally tick few of the boxes on an optimal health survey. You see, it’s not just about how many immune cells you have, but also about how effectively they work. If our immune system is active and can mount a robust defense quickly against a foreign invader, such as pathogenic bacteria, we are less likely to become ill.

There are many supplements than can be taken to help reduce the frequency and severity of urinary tract infections. Cranberry is one of the most popular complementary supplements that is taken to combat this infection. The Journal of Nutrition published a meta-analysis on December 2017 on urinary tract infection risk in women. This paper indicated that cranberry supplementation reduced the risk for infection recurrence. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition reported in 2009 that cranberry’s contain flavonoid phytochemicals, including anthocyanins, flavonols and proanthocyanidins, making them a powerhouse food source.

There are of course many other nutrients that may assist in improving general immune competence, such as zinc, vitamin C and selenium. Good food sources of these are pepitas, red capsicum and brazil nuts, respectively. Of course, supplementation is a great way to rapidly boost your levels of these nutrients.