The Science Behind Vitamin C For Uti
Before we take a closer look at the research, lets talk about vitamin Cs role in the body in general.
Vitamin C is an important part of a healthy diet as it plays a vital role in many areas of human physiology. It is essential for tissue health and wound healing, as its necessary to make collagen, an important support protein.
Vitamin C is considered safe, even in the large doses often found in dietary supplements. This is because of its water solubility, which means it is readily eliminated from the body in the urine.
Because vitamin C makes it all the way to the urine, its believed to have the ability to act directly on the pathogens that cause UTI. This is a key part of the theory.
Diet And Antibiotic Resistance
The food you eat can change the bacterial makeup of your gut, but whether or not the food you eat can also confer antibiotic resistance is not yet understood. This could be important for people with recurrent UTIs who frequently take antibiotics or dont respond to certain antibiotics over time due to antibiotic resistance. Researchers from the Netherlands studied a group of 612 people and took samples of their urine, then tested the samples to see how resistant they were to several common antibiotics. The researchers found that 40 percent of the people had amoxicillin-resistant urine cultures, while 27 percent had trimethoprim-resistant cultures. Less than 5 percent of the cultures were resistant to the antibiotics nitrofurantoin and cefotaxime.
Next, the researchers wanted to determine how diet impacted this antibiotic resistance, so they had these same people detail their historical consumption of various foods. Those who reported eating more chicken had higher odds of being cefotaxime-resistant, while those who ate more pork were more norfloxacin-resistant. On the other hand, those who ate more cheese showed less resistance to amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid .
The study suggests that certain foods may affect antibiotic resistance, likely due to the antibiotics used in raising the animals. More research in this vein may have implications for the types of diets that are recommended to people with recurrent UTIs.
Increase Vitamin C Intake
Some evidence shows that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against urinary tract infections.
Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of the urine, thereby killing off the bacteria that cause infection .
An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 mg of vitamin C every day .
The study found that vitamin C had a protective effect, cutting the risk of UTIs by more than half in those taking vitamin C, compared with the control group .
Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.
Red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit all contain the full recommended amount of vitamin C in just one serving .
Despite these studies, there is still more research needed to prove the effectiveness of vitamin C for reducing UTIs. .
SUMMARY
Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease the risk of UTIs by making the urine more acidic, thus killing off infection-causing bacteria.
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for urinary tract infections.
Cranberries work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, thus preventing infection .
In a 2016 study, women with recent histories of UTIs drank an 8-ounce serving of cranberry juice every day for 24 weeks. Those who drank cranberry juice had fewer UTI episodes than the control group .
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Utis And Mental Illness
People with dementia can exhibit unique symptoms when they have a UTIinstead of the classic urinary pain, it may appear more like delirium. And studies have linked various other neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and depression to UTIs as well. A 2015 review article found that UTIs may either trigger or worsen these neuropsychiatric disorders by various mechanisms such as inflammation or widespread infection . Further research is needed to understand this apparent mind-body connection and determine whether treating UTIs can potentially relieve symptoms of these other psychiatric conditions.
Using Vitamin C For Utis
According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 90 milligrams for adult men and 75 milligrams for adult women 2. Certain people need more vitamin C than average. For instance, smokers need an additional 35 milligrams per day pregnant women need 85 milligrams per day lactating women need 120 milligrams per day.
According to geriatric specialist Dr. Suzanne Salamon, an instructor at Harvard Medical School, you should take 500 to 1,000 milligrams per day of vitamin C if youre using this nutrient to prevent bladder infections 48.
This is in addition to the recommended daily amount you should be getting, which means youd have to consume about six to 13 times the amount youd typically get on a daily basis. You can obtain this amount of vitamin C from supplements or naturally, through your diet.
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- According to the National Institutes of Health.
- This is in addition to the recommended daily amount you should be getting, which means youd have to consume about six to 13 times the amount youd typically get on a daily basis.
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Restore Genital Microbiome Balance
The genital microbiome makeup comprises of many different species of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and viruses. These microbes co-exist in a thin balance which is constantly in a state of flux.
However, your genital health depends upon this balance. The flora present in your genitals and body has the potential to protect you from urinary tract infections.
Researchers of a study published in the Journal of Mid-Life Health stated that vaginal flora can be modified and improved with the help of oral intake of certain probiotic strains through supplements and dietary sources. In fact Lactobacillus UTI treatment is becoming more and more popular.
The researchers further wrote that taking certain forms of probiotics could naturally help in restoring genital microbiome to a level considered normal and even optimal.
Specimen Collection And Bacterial Identification
Laboratory diagnosis for urinary tract infections are include taking clean catch mid-stream urine from each patient collected into a 20 mL calibrated sterile crew-capped universal container which were distributed to the patients. The specimens were labeled, transported to the laboratory for both general urine examination and culturing. The pathogens were identified and isolated by conventional techniques . A urine culture is positive when 105 CFU/mL of a single pathogen is found in mid-stream urine. Standard loop semi-quantitative technique of inoculation had been used to determine the pathogenic microorganism in significant numbers and un-centrifuged urine in known volume by spread plate method was used. Blood agar and McConkey agar plate were used for isolation of causative organism and incubated for 2448 h at 37 °C . All media were examined aftertimes of incubation, if no growth occurs they were incubated for another 24 h before regarded as negative whereas few samples were identified with VITEK 2 compact system protocols by using these kits: VITEK®2 GN Reference 21341, VITEK®2 GP Reference 21342, VITEK®2 AST-GN69 Reference 413400, VITEK®2 AST-P580 Reference 22233, and VITEK®2 AST-ST01 Reference 410028 .
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Bri Nutrition 3x Strength 12600mg Crangel Power Plus
Cranberry juice is good in preventing or treating urinary tract infection. The juice itself is acidic enough for the disease-causing bacteria to thrive in the urinary tract. Nowadays, many health experts also believe cranberry juice helps prevent the occurrence of UTI. It helps the body flush out the pathogenslike E. Colithat would cause the disease should they be present in the urinary tract. Cranberry juices antioxidant contents vitamins C and E. The juice also has ability to create Teflon-like slipperiness on the urinary tract. So, the pathogens will not to stick on it and thereby get flushed out with urine. With BRI Nutrition, you may not be getting the benefits of cranberry juice as an actual drink but you are taking it the same with its gel capsules as supplement to your existing treatment with UTI.
How Are Urinary Tract Infections Treated
Your health care provider will figure out the best treatment based on:
- How old you are
Treatment for UTIs may include:
- Antibiotics
- Other medications to ease pain
- Heat to ease pain
You may also need to make lifestyle changes such as:
- Drinking plenty of water to help wash bacteria out of the urinary tract
- Avoiding coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods
- Quitting smoking
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Urinary Tract Infections: Foods That Fight Bacteria
Urinary Tract Infections affect millions of people every year. They occur when bacteria infects our urinary tract, causing unpleasant and sometimes painful side effects.
Although UTIs are traditionally treated with antibiotics, alongside this course of treatment there are also many at-home nutritional strategies available to help treat infections – and prevent them from reoccurring!
If you’re suffering from, or you’ve recently had, a UTI, then try out these top tips for keeping the infection at bay.
Evidence from John Hopkins Medicine has shown that your vitamin C intake can be linked to a reduced risk of UTIs.
Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of the urine, thereby killing off the bacteria that causes infection. In fact, a study by Universidad de Colima in Mexico found that pregnant women who ingested 100mg of vitamin C a day cut their risk of contracting a UTI by more than half.
Stock up on fruit and vegetables if you’re looking to up your vitamin C intake â oranges, grapefruits, kiwis and red peppers are all great sources.
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that are consumed through food or supplements, and they’ve been found to promote a healthy balance of bacteria in our guts.
There are other supplements you can take to help you battle regular UTIs:
Most popular
Estrogen Therapy For Postmenopausal Women
For postmenopausal women who suffer from recurring UTIs, vaginal estrogen therapy has been shown to be effective. Estrogen therapy may be given intravaginally with creams or an estrogen ring. Side effects of estrogen therapy include breast tenderness, vaginal spotting, and vaginal irritation . A 2005 study found that estrogen therapy was effective for young women with recurrent UTIs, so it may be beneficial for others, too, not just for postmenopausal women . If you have recurrent UTIs, talk to your doctor about whether estrogen therapy may be helpful for you.
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Cranberry Maximum Strength Urinary Tract Support
This Cranberry Maximum Strength Urinary Tract Support empowers the natural power of cranberry juice in treating and preventing infections in the body like UTI. It offers powerful support in expelling the disease-causing bacteria from the body without resorting to antibiotics. The ingredients are primarily cranberries that are naturally grown. So this food supplement is natural and not GMOs. And only cranberry essences is used to make these gel capsules.
Vitamin C For Uti: Does It Work
Is taking vitamin C for UTI beneficial, harmful or neither? Vitamin C is a familiar dietary supplement for known reasons, however, the question of whether it can also treat UTI comes up often and should be addressed.
This article will mainly focus on the science behind vitamin C for UTI in terms of its potential to resolve symptoms. But well also briefly cover why its important for sufferers of recurrent UTI to choose the right type of vitamin C supplement .
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What Causes A Uti
These infections are the result of enhanced levels of bacteria colonizing the urogenital tract. It is a commonly acquired type of infection found in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals, per totalhealthmagazine.com. Estimates are that up to 50 times as many women as men experience UTIs, and that 40 to 50 percent of women will suffer at least one UTI in their lifetime. If treated properly and promptly, UTIs rarely turn into a serious illness, although a UTI left untreated can lead to kidney infection and possibly involve permanent damage.
Vaginal Bacteria And Utis
Frequent sexual activity is the biggest risk factor for developing a UTI. Its previously been believed that this is likely due to the spread of bacteria during sex. A new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine exposes another possible reason: Gardnerella vaginalis, a type of bacteria that lives in the vagina. The study used a mouse model to show that exposing mices bladders to G. vaginalis damages cells on the bladders surface and reactivates latent E. coli bacteria, making the mice more susceptible to infection . Thus, UTIs may be driven by a complex interplay between multiple bacteria, especially during sex, when bacteria is more likely to move from the vagina to the bladder.
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Risk Factors And Related Health Concerns
Women are at higher risk for UTIs than men are. People with impaired immune systems have an increased risk for UTIs because their bodies dont protect them against infection as effectively. Other risk factors for UTIs include sexual activity, a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, urinary catheter use, urinary tract abnormalities, or a recent urinary tract procedure .
Why Do Women Get UTIs More Often than Men Do?
Anatomically, women have a shorter urethra than men and also have a shorter distance between their anus and urethra, which increases womens risk of getting UTIs from fecal bacteria. Certain forms of contraception, such as diaphragms, may increase a womans risk of getting a UTI. After menopause, women are more vulnerable to UTIs due to changes in their hormone levels and an aging immune system
The Top 6 Supplements For Urinary Tract Health
Bladder health is easy to take for granted. That is, until you get a tell-tale pain or discomfort in the pelvis. This kind of pain may mean that you have a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Luckily, UTIs can be treated with antibiotics.
However, especially if you suffer from recurrent UTI, it can be painful, frustrating and disheartening to get infections on a regular basis.
Although antibiotics are the only way to get rid of a UTI once it has started, several different supplements can help to prevent UTIs from happening in the first place. For this reason, we have scoured the internet to find the top 6 best supplements for urinary health.
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Vitamin D And Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review And Meta
Mega Doses Of Vitamin C For Illness
You may have noticed that its quite common to see vitamin C doses of 1 gram in supplements. While this is clearly way over the daily recommended minimum, it is still considered quite safe.
When it comes to using vitamin C as a therapy for specific illnesses, dosages used tend to be much higher. So far, research indicates that because vitamin C has low toxicity, it is unlikely to cause serious side effects up to a certain point.
The NIH sets Tolerable Upper Intake Levels on vitamin C in females as follows:
| Female Life Stage |
|---|
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Is Vitamin C Good For Urinary Tract Infection
Is vitamin c good for urinary tract infection? Among its many other health care attributes, vitamin C has been shown to be effective in the prevention and self-care treatment of urinary-tract infections. The mechanism of action is probably similar to that of cranberry juice vitamin C also acidifies the urine.
How much vitamin C should I take to get rid of a UTI? Vitamin C prevents bacteria from growing by making urine more acidic. You can take a 500- to 1,000-milligram daily vitamin C supplement.
Does vitamin C make UTI worse? Even if vitamin C for UTI is helpful for specific bacteria, it may make things worse for others. Vitamin C as a supplement is generally safe, but certain medical conditions and mega doses should first be discussed with your doctor.
Can vitamin C cause urinary problems? High vitamin C intake is not only associated with greater amounts of urinary oxalate but also linked to the development of kidney stones, especially if you consume amounts greater than 2,000 mg . Reports of kidney failure have also been reported in people who have taken more than 2,000 mg in a day.
Vitamin E May Improve Uti Treatment
Vitamin E supplementation may help ameliorate the symptoms of urinary tract infection , according to findings published in the Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases .
Parsa Yousefichaijan, MD, and colleagues at Arak University in Arak, Iran, tested the effect of vitamin E on UTI in 152 girls aged 512 years with a first acute episode of pyelonephritis. The researchers randomly assigned 76 girls to receive antibiotics only and 76 to receive vitamin E in addition to antibiotics. During follow-up, the mean number of episodes of fever, urinary frequency, dribbling, and urgency were significantly lower in the vitamin E group than the control arm.
The investigators found no significant difference in the results of urine culture 34 days after the start of treatment and 710 days after its termination. They also observed no significant difference between the groups in DMSA scan findings 46 months after treatment.
Although vitamin E supplementation did not differ significantly from antibiotics alone with respect to short-term urine cultures and 46 month follow-up DMSA scans, its administration is recommended from the start of the treatment to decrease clinical symptoms in infected girls because of its significant effect on the improvement of clinical symptoms in the acute phase of UTI.
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