Find out how to keep your urinary tract system in top health.

The urinary system is the body’s drainage system for removing wastes and excess water. Our kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra all make up our urinary system. There are a lot of issues that can occur, but urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common issue experienced – in fact, it is the second most common type of infection in the body.

“Cystitis and urinary tract infections, often referred to as UTIs, are reported as the most common types of bacterial infection in outpatient medicine- causing between one to three percent of all doctor visits,” comments Dr Gras Balaguer, technical director at Vita Green Europe. “Up to one in three sufferers of UTIs develop long-term recurrence with three or more episodes a year.”

Symptoms of a UTI include pain or burning when you urinate, fever, tiredness, shakiness, an urge to urinate often, lower belly pressure, back pain and urine that smells bad or looks reddish or cloudy.

People of any age or sex can get UTIs but women are four times more likely to get them than men. You are also at a higher risk if you have diabetes, a spinal cord injury or a disease/autoimmune condition that impairs the immune system.

“The most common cause of uncomplicated community-acquired bacterial UTI is Escherichia coli. (E.coli) this bacterium is found resident in the perineal and anal region. It seems that the reason why women have more cystitis than men is due to the shortness of the urethra, facilitating the invasion of urinary bladder through this ‘tube’. E coli thereby are able to adhere to the bladder wall and an infection occurs,” explains Balaguer.

Lifestyle Changes

There are some lifestyle changes you can make to help keep your urinary tract system healthy and to help prevent UTIs from occurring in the first place.

“The infection tends to recur unless the predisposing factors are removed,” explains Natalie Lamb, technical advisor for Bio-Kult and Lepicol. She suggests: “Drink three litres of water a day during an acute attack and two to three litres thereafter to help flush the bacteria from the bladder.

“Avoid retaining urine for long periods of time, avoid sexual intercourse until infection has cleared, wash before and after intimacy and urinate immediately after sexual intercourse to eliminate any new bacteria introduced, keep the genital area clean and wipe from front to back and some experts suggest wearing cotton underwear, avoiding tight fitting trousers, perfume soaps, vaginal deodorants, lady wipes and tampons.”

Keeping well hydrated, good hygiene, weight control and improving health in general will help fight off potential re infection. However, recurrent infections will have damaged the bladder wall making it easier for the E.coli to adhere to the bladder wall.

Natural Remedies

There are a number of natural remedies and supplements that can also help.

Cranberry
The most well-known one being cranberries, which are often the first remedy taken when bladder issues arise. Research is mixed, but numerous studies have revealed that cranberries, cranberry juice and cranberry tables reduce the occurrence of UTIs and are most effective in women who suffer from recurrent infections.

“Cranberry with its powerful antioxidant (PAC A) properties has long been recommended for use in cystitis, believed to prevent E.coli bacteria’s attachment to the urinary lining,” comments Lamb.

Experts recommend taking a cranberry supplement rather than drinking cranberry juice, Suzie Sawyer, nutritional therapist at Higher Nature, explains: “The problem with many of the cranberry-containing drinks is that they contain a lot of sugar, which has a detrimental effect on the immune system.

“A good alternative is either to source an unsweetened cranberry juice or use a cranberry extract supplement. This includes cranberry in a high concentration, and is most appropriate for anyone with an actual urinary tract infection.

“Look for a supplement containing at least 500mg of whole concentrated cranberry and take two capsules a day.”

Probiotics
With a lot of UTIs originating from a bacterial overgrowth in the gut, another recommended solution is to rebalance the gut flora with live bacteria from either fermented foods or a live bacteria product.

“Live bacteria supplements have been shown to be beneficial to restore the gut and vaginal microflora and to have strong antimicrobial activity against E.coli,” explains Lamb.

Do try:
Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan is an advanced triple action formula containing cranberry, two specifically selected live bacterial strains and vitamin A which contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the maintenance of mucous membranes which can be found lining the urinary tract.

Waterfall D-Mannose is an effective, natural, alternative product for cystitis, prostatitis and long term bladder health. It supports a healthy bladder, prostate and urinary tract, particularly against E.coli infections- which cause UTIs and cystitis. E.coli’s sticky fimbria attach like Velcro to Waterfall D-Mannose and are urinated out.

Cysticlean® 240mg mg PAC was specifically developed to help prevent cystitis recurrence and avoid long-term administration of antibiotics. The high level of Pac-240mg Pac in this high performing cranberry extract ensures that infection causing bacteria is stopped from adhering to the bladder wall. With 240mg of active ingredient, Cysticlean® is up to 6 times the strength of other cranberry extracts.