Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
"The Solution to Pollution is Dilution"
Drink more water and less alcohol. Drink 8 glasses of water/day to keep urine from becoming too acidic; minimize alcohol intake (alcohol is a diuretic);
• Dietary Sugar / refined starches (E.g. white flour)
• Nicotine, caffeine,alcohol(a diuretic);
Dr. Schulze kidney/bladder tea and formula. Cleanses the urinary tract, maintains healthy bladder and kidneys and dissolves deposits in the kidneys.
Procedure for Kidney / Bladder Cleanse
Need good nutritional support for immune system. Particularly antioxidants; E.g. regularly consume immune system boosters, such as garlic and onions;
Consume/Supplement alkalizing minerals - especially magnesium, calcium and potassium
Consider taking a whole food, nutritional "Green Drink" supplement
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) as UTI preventative. ACV for a UTI is controversial. The reason is that a couple hours after ACV is FIRST taken, it causes the urine pH to be more acid for a couple of urinations. However, the next day and thereafter the alkaline minerals provided by ACV make urine more alkaline. Drink 1 teaspoon -1 tablespoon RAW Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water or juice 2-3 times a day.
Probiotic Supplementation. Taking a good probiotic (containing at least 50 billion CFU of several different bacteria/ dose) has been shown to curb UTIs by providing natural flora as the first line of defense against "invaders"in the UT, vagina and anterior urethra (area closest to where urine comes out);
Yogurt. Make plain yogurt containing active culture a regular part of your diet to improve natural flora.
Lactobacillus plantarum (in fermented foods, such as pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, sourdough) - protects the UT (not vagina and anterior urethra) by producing hydrogen peroxide against "invader"microbes.
Vitamin C. Another controversy exists over whether ascorbic acid increases urine acidity; An old study with guinea pigs (like humans, they also can not produce their own Vitamin C) showed that moderate doses of ascorbic acid in natural form (E.g. in fruit or orange juice) is well-retained by the body and does not show up in the urine; interestingly taking an ascorbic acid supplement together with baking soda enhances the body's retention of ascorbic acid, compared to taking ascorbic acid alone;
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/14/1/1.full.pdf
- Add 1/8 - ¼ tsp. (~500-1000mg) powdered Vitamin C and 1/3 tsp. baking soda to cool drinks 3 times /day. This should render a slightly alkaline/neutral urine pH; alternatively, take an alkaline form of Vitamin C, such as magnesium citrate;
- Drink moderate amounts of juice containing natural Vitamin C . However, too much will make urine acidic
To prevent the return of frequent/chronic UTIs: Take 2 grams D-mannose once/day or 1 gram twice/day.
D-mannose detaches E. Coli from urinary tract (UT) wall to be flushed out in urine
Results using cranberry juice/extract for a UTI have been mixed
100% cranberry juice / Concentrated cranberry extract supplements help PREVENT an infection but do NOT TREAT it (cause urine to become too acidic (favorable to bacterial growth) DURING a UTI)
• However, it can not remove the bacteria once it has already attached.
Main strength of cranberry against UTIs is its antioxidant content. In particular, the North American cranberry Vacinnium Macrocarpon has been found to contain unique, tannin-like A-linked PACs that prevent E. Coli from adhering to the cells lining much of the urinary tract (including ureters, bladder, and parts of the urethra) - helping to support UT, gastro-intestinal, and oral health. Many fruits and vegetables contain PACs, however only Cranberry A-type PACs have been shown to provide both anti-stick and antioxidant properties. Studies report that other members of the Vaccinium genus also have similar properties, including bilberry and blueberry.
• Cranberry contains Vitamin C
• Cranberry creates an acidic urine conducive to E. Coli growth. Not advisable to drink duringa UTI, which may involve E. Coli;
• Cocktail versions of cranberry juice contain added sugar. As food for bacterial growth;
• Too much cranberry can increase the likelihood of calcium-oxalate kidney stones. This type of stone represents 75% of kidney stones in the U.S.
• Cranberry increases hippuric acid in the urine. Hippuric acid can act as an irritant for an already inflamed bladder, and provides a ready source of nutrition for pathogens that most commonly infect the upper and lower urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys. Cranberry, because it feeds acid tolerant bacteria, can be responsible for strengthening bacterial colony sizes and forcing E. Coli in particular into 'burst rate' lifestyles, where they can utilize the hippuric acid as an ideal growth medium. (Bodel, Phyllis T. et al (1959) Cranberry juice and the antibacterial action of hippuric acid. The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine , Volume 54 , Issue 6 , 881 - 888 Link)
Use only unsweetened 100% Cranberry Juice (not cocktails)
• There are synergistic benefits when consuming the whole berry (lost using extracts). These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits of cranberry;
• Drink in moderation to deter calcium-oxalate kidney stone formation and intake of excess sugar
Capsules of unsweetened cranberry juice powder (standardized to contain 11-12% quinic acid; responsible for the tart taste of cranberries) are many times more potent than cranberry juice
• The amount of PACs needed for benefit is ~35 mg per day
• Supplement should NOT contain binders. Many cranberry supplements use cellulose or guar gum as binders to hold tablet together, but the problem is that they also bind to the PACs in cranberries -the active ingredient
• Therapeutic dose is one to two capsules a day. However, D-mannose has a much more powerful anti-adhesive effect
Avoid postponing urination. Urinate frequently and empty bladder completely.
Measures before and after sexual intercourse. For women who experience bladder infections related to intercourse,the recommendation is to take ½ tsp. d-mannose 1 hour prior to and just after intercourse. Also urinate within 15 minutes after intercourse.Use a water-soluble lubricant (E.g. K-Y Lubricating Jelly) during intercourse. Also, use female-superior or lateral positions in sexual intercourse to protect the female urethra from injury.
Wear loose clothing whilst bicycling / Horse-back Riding
Avoid use of catheters. If possible.
Avoid FRAGRANCED bubble baths, douches, feminine hygiene sprays or deodorants, tampons, toilet paper or soaps. Chemicals can be irritating.
Chronic UTI sufferers should use sanitary pads (preferably cotton-based) instead of tampons
Clean anal area thoroughly after bowel movements / Wipe from the front to the rear. Rather than rear to front to avoid spreading fecal bacteria to the genital area.
Use underwear or pantyhose with a cotton crotch / Avoid prolonged wearing of wet swimwear
Reduce stress. Known to be immunosuppressive; acupuncture has shown good results against UTIs, so therefore the Meridian Tapping Technique (MTT) would also be of benefit;
