Cranberry Polyphenols With Anti
We previously demonstrated that cranberry juice may be effective in preventing urinary bladder carcinogenesis . Our work on toxicological assessment of cranberry juice concentrate in Fischer-344 rats also concluded that exposures to cranberry juice concentrates do not pose a significant toxicology risk in rodents . Recent research reports have further demonstrated that cranberry fruit can be a potential natural source for cancer prevention. Daily consumption of cranberry fruit powder lowered prostate specific antigen in patients with prostate cancer . Another study showed that dietary feeding of frozen cranberry may have potential to inhibit development of intestinal tumor in APCmin/+ mice .
Cranberrys efficacy against tumor development in vivo will depend largely on the bioavailability of its phytochemicals to the various tissues, but some of the cranberry components undergo rapid metabolism and elimination, indicating that they have poor bioavailability .
Cranberry Juice Is Confusing
If youve strolled through the juice aisle of your local grocery store, you understand. There are so many cranberry juice varieties, and if youre on a mission to help support urinary tract health, it can be difficult to choose the best option. Youll see the shelves sprinkled with terms like 100% juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and unsweetened cranberry juice. What does it all mean?
Lets break it down.
100% juice cranberry: Youve probably heard the advice to always choose 100% fruit juice typically, thats a pretty good rule of thumb. So, when you spot a bottle of cranberry juice labeled100% juice, it seems like the perfect option. But labels are sneaky. Most of the time, this type of cranberry juice is mixed with other juices like apple, grape, and pear to make it sweeter and more palatable. It is indeed 100% juice, just not 100% cranberry juice. Make sure you double-check the label and the ingredients list if youre looking for a product that contains only cranberry juice.
Cranberry juice cocktail: This variety is the most well-known cranberry juice and the type most people end up putting in their grocery cart. Cranberries are the only fruit in this juice, but since other fruit juices arent added as a sweetener, sugar or high-fructose corn syrup is added instead. Most cranberry juice cocktails are only 27% cranberry juice the rest is typically water and sugar.
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What Are The Risk Factors For Bladder Cancer
Risk factors for bladder cancer include being obese, tobacco use and a diet low in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Eating a healthy diet and being physically active can significantly reduce your risk of bladder cancer. Additionally, adding certain foods that fight bladder cancer to your diet may further lower your risk.
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Other Methods To Prevent Utis
Avoid the use of douches and scented powders. Certain birth control methods are likely to cause UTIs, too. These include spermicides and spermicide-lubricated condoms as well as diaphragms, which contribute to bacterial growth.
If you have frequent urinary tract infections, the team at Southeast Urogyn also recommends you take other precautions to discourage bacterial growth. Stick mostly to cotton underwear and avoid baths. Tight clothing that keeps bacteria trapped near your urethra can also encourage UTIs.
In some cases, the doctors might prescribe a low dose of antibiotics for you to take regularly or to take as a single dose after having sex. Women whove experienced menopause can ask about estrogen vaginal cream to prevent dryness, which increases the chance of bacterial infection.
The bottom line? Cranberry juice can be part of your UTI prevention protocol, but not your only strategy. If you suffer from frequent UTIs and want to discuss preventive treatments with a trusted doctor, call Southeast Urogyn in Jackson, Mississippi, or click to make an appointment.
References:
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But What About Cranberry Juice Can It Really Help
Cranberries, and in turn cranberry juice, contain a group of chemicals called proanthocyanidins . These can prevent the bacteria responsible for UTIs attaching properly to tissues in the urinary tract. If the bacteria cant attach properly then they cannot grow and cause the infection. However there are mixed opinions on whether or not it works in preventing UTIs. Some studies have shown some small benefits to healthy, non-pregnant, women who suffer from repeated infections while others have showed no benefit at all. Interestingly, there was a large number of drop-out in some of these studies due to volunteers finding it difficult to consume so much cranberry juice!
This is where the problem with cranberry juice can lie. Cranberries are very bitter and so to make cranberry juice easy to drink, lots of sugar is added about three teaspoons of sugar in every 100 ml! This means with a typical 300 mL glass of cranberry juice you would have had more than your recommended intake of sugar for the day!
If you suffer from repeated urinary tract infections, you might want to consider a low dose of antibiotics Hiprex is used commonly in the UK to prevent repeated infections. Discuss it with your doctor and look at trying to prevent infections by following the steps outlined above.
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Cranberry Juice And Utis: Myth Vs Science
UTIs are a common bacterial infection, especially among women.
In fact, 50% of women, compared with 12% of men, will develop a UTI in their lifetime. Whats more, up to 30% of young women have recurrent UTIs, which can significantly affect their quality of life (
In addition to medications like antibiotics, many people use natural remedies for UTI prevention and treatment.
Cranberry juice and cranberry juice supplements are perhaps the most popular natural treatments for UTIs.
Cranberries contain compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, which may help treat and prevent UTIs.
These compounds may help (
- interfere with the ability of bacteria to stick to the lining of the urinary tract
- reduce inflammation
- modulate gut bacteria
Nevertheless, you may wonder whether cranberry juice is effective at preventing and treating UTIs.
Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, a class of compounds commonly found in plants. Its believed that these compounds can help prevent UTIs by stopping bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract. If bacteria cant grow and spread, an infection is unable to develop.
Unfortunately, research on cranberry juice has been mixed. Some studies show cranberry juice to be effective in reducing the risk of UTIs, while others have found that it isnt an effective treatment.
More research is still needed to determine the exact benefits.
Cranberries also contain other phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation plays a role in damaging blood vessels over time, including the arteries. The damaged arteries then attract plaque, causing atherosclerosis.
Phytonutrients in cranberries could help guard against inflammation, delaying the process and offering protection against heart disease.
A 2019 study in men who are overweight and have obesity showed that the daily intake of a high-polyphenol cranberry beverage for 8 weeks improved several risk factors for heart disease.
Theres also some evidence that cranberry juice can help to prevent dental plaque that builds up on teeth and causes gum disease.
Like other fruits and berries, cranberries contain powerful phytochemicals that act as antioxidants, including:
Research published in the Journal of Nutrition found that cranberries might have a role in preventing cancer through dietary changes.
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How Safe Is Cranberry Extract
Cranberry extract supplements are extremely safe. There have been no reported side effects and can be used safely during pregnancy and breast feeding. However, individuals with a history of kidney stones should consult a medical professional before using cranberry extract for long periods of time, since there is some indication long-term use might increase the risk of developing a kidney stone.18
Does Cranberry Extract Help Uti
HelpUrinary TractCranberry pillsurinary tractCranberries
. Considering this, how much cranberry should I take for UTI?
There is no set guideline on how much cranberry juice to drink to treat a UTI, but a common recommendation is to drink around 400 milliliters of at least 25-percent cranberry juice every day to prevent or treat UTIs.
Likewise, what are the side effects of taking cranberry pills? Common side effects of Cranberry include:
- Stomach or abdominal upset.
- Kidney stones at high doses.
- Increased risk of cancer oxalate uroliths in predisposed patients.
Likewise, people ask, how fast does cranberry juice work for UTI?
The new research suggests that the beneficial substances in cranberry juice could reach the urinary tract and prevent bacterial adhesion within eight hours.
What helps UTI pain at night?
Here are some things you can do at home to help you sleep comfortably:
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Noticing Blood In My Urine Again
By the time I got home, the bleeding had stopped and I thought nothing more about it until about a year later. It was September 2017. I had just started a new job in Vallejo, CA. My wife stayed in Washington State with our daughter and son-in-law. I took temporary lodging in the Bay Area until we could find a proper home for us and our two fur babies. Days after arriving in California, I started noticing blood again. And again, believing I could have a UTI, I returned to Doctor Google and chose to self-treat by drinking 100% pure cranberry juice. After a few days, the bleeding stopped and life went on.
Avoid Alcohol And Caffeine
Alcohol stimulates the bladder, and thats the last thing you need if you have an overactive bladder. Pass on wine, beer, and liquor so you dont have to worry about the frequent urination that often accompanies them. Caffeine is also a stimulant that can cause urgency, frequency, and incontinence. Its found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and some sodas and energy drinks.
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How Much Cranberry Juice Do You Need To Help Prevent Or Treat A Uti
Since the jury is out on the efficacy of cranberry for this purpose, there is no set recommendation for how much cranberry juice to drink to prevent UTIs.
One study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking eight ounces of cranberry beverage each day helped lower the recurrence of UTIs in women. But that study was sponsored by a cranberry juice company.
So, as you can imagine, thats a potential conflict of interest. Take expert recommendations with a grain of salt here since we dont have clear data to support a consensus on how much cranberry juice to drink to prevent or treat UTIs.
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Opt For White Chocolate
Do you love chocolate, but youre always running to the bathroom? If so, you may need to tweak your chocolate habit. Thats because traditional chocolate has acid and caffeine, both known bladder irritants. Either cut back on this treat or opt for white chocolate that has reduced levels of caffeine or none at all. Definitely dont eat traditional chocolate late at night. It may make you have to get up for nighttime bathroom trips.
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Is Milk Good For Overactive Bladder
Some people with an overactive bladder may find that milk and dairy products make their symptoms worse. People with the related condition interstitial cystitis, which is a chronic inflammation of the bladder wall and also causes a frequent urge to urinate, tend to have problems with certain dairy products, Koch says.18 . 2010 .
Is Cranberry Juice Good For Interstitial Cystitis & What About Bananas & Hummus
Acidic products like cranberry juice worsen the lining and cause more irritation in patients with Interstitial cystitis struggling with irritated bladder.1
The interstitial cystitis network suggests avoiding drinking cranberry juice since the symptoms worse as the bladder is inflamed.2
Banana can make an ideal choice for IC patients since they have extremely low acidic properties.3,4
Unfortunately, there is no cure for interstitial cystitis and there is no well-defined treatment or therapy that can help these patients recover from their symptoms. Medical studies show that there are patients who battle with IC struggles from late teens with no complete recovery.
The usual course of treatment is antibiotics until the patients develop sensitivity to the same kind of medications. This is a serious discomfort in IC patients since they tend to develop depression and anxiety at a very young age.
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Sediment Or Mucus In Neph Tube And Bag
I am having what looks like mucus always in my nephrostomy tube and bag. I had the tube replaced this last monday. I asked the Interventional radiologist nurse and she said it was sediment and was normal. Tonight I had some blood and talked with the resident on call and he was not sure if it was sediment or if it was mucus from my indiana pouch.
Cranberry Juice And Organic Acids Used For Treatment Studies
The organic acids used are commercially available -quinic acid , Lmalic acid , -shikimic acid , and citric acid . A mixture of the four organic acids, in concentrations corresponding to those found in the hydrophilic fraction of cranberry juice, was tested as well as the acids separately or in mixtures two by two. The concentration of organic acids in the hydrophilic fraction of cranberry juice were 0.74% quinic, 0.53% malic, 0.03% shikimic, and 0.78% citric acid, which gave a total concentration of 2.1% . For the PBS experiment, PBS was pH adjusted to pH 3.0 with HCl.
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Proven Urinary Tract Infection Protection
Urinary tract infections are extremely common in the U.S., resulting in approximately 7 million doctor visits and a million hospitalizations each year.3 Women are primarily affected and about 25% of all women in the U.S. have at least one UTI in their lifetime.4 Men can also get bladder and urinary tract infections, especially if they suffer from an enlarged prostate.
Additionally, a large percentage of individuals with spinal cord injuries suffer from UTIs due to the use of indwelling catheters.
When it comes to treating UTIs, antibiotics dont always work. And to complicate matters, even if the antibiotic does work, it weakens the immune system, making it easier to get a subsequent infection. The good news is that cranberry extract can prevent UTIs before they can take hold.
Whole Cranberry Extract And Stomach Cancer
Efficacy of a whole cranberry extract inhibiting stomach cancer tumor growth was evaluated in a murine xenograft model developed by Liu et al. . Balb/C NU/NU mice were subcutaneously injected with SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma cells in the right flank region. Prior to implantation, SGC-7901 cells were pretreated with a whole cranberry extract for 48 h. Tumors in control mice developed by the tenth day of the experiment with a delay of 37 days for cells pretreated with 5.020.0 mg/mL of cranberry extract. Xenograft tumors did not develop from SGC-7901 cells pretreated with 40.0 mg/mL cranberry extract but in vitro data presented in the same study supported that these cells were likely undergoing high levels of apoptosis with reduced viability. Therefore, additional studies will be necessary to determine how a whole cranberry extract inhibits the growth of stomach cancer in animal models, including those which model gastric carcinogenesis as a result of chronic Helicobacter pylori infection .
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Treating Stage Ii Bladder Cancer
These cancers have invaded the muscle layer of the bladder wall , but no farther. Transurethral resection is typically the first treatment for these cancers, but it’s done to help determine the extent of the cancer rather than to try to cure it.
When the cancer has invaded the muscle, radical cystectomy is the standard treatment. Lymph nodes near the bladder are often removed as well. If cancer is in only one part of the bladder, a partial cystectomy may be done instead. But this is possible in only a small number of patients.
Radical cystectomy may be the only treatment for people who are not well enough to get chemo. But most doctors prefer to give chemo before surgery because it’s been shown to help patients live longer than surgery alone. When chemo is given first, surgery is delayed. This is not a problem if the chemo shrinks the bladder cancer, but it might be harmful if the tumor continues to grow during chemo.
If cancer is found in nearby lymph nodes, radiation may be needed after surgery. Another option is chemo, but only if it wasn’t given before surgery.
For people who have had surgery, but the features of the tumor show it is at high risk of coming back, the immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, might be offered. When given after surgery, nivolumab is given for up to one year.
For patients who cant have surgery because of other serious health problems, TURBT, radiation, chemotherapy, or some combination of these may be options.
Go Easy On The Alcohol
Among beverages to avoid, alcohol falls near the top of the list. Similar to drinks high in caffeine, alcohol also acts as a diuretic and will increase your urine production. While drinking alcohol, you may also be less aware of your urge to use the restroom, causing an increased risk of leakage or accidents.
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Do Cranberry Pills Help Get Rid Of A Uti
Capsules of cranberry juice. The results of a review of 10 studies involving more than 1,000 women showed that taking cranberry juice or cranberry capsules reduced UTIs by one-third over a year, according to Geerlings. The most benefit was seen by women under the age of 30 and those with repeat UTIs.