Diet may Protect Women against Infection

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Diet May Protect Women against Infection

 

5/29/03 - Healthnotes Newswire—Women who frequently consume berry

juices or fermented milk products may reduce their risk of

developing urinary tract infection (UTIs), according to a new study

in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2003;77:600–4).

 

The findings of the new study suggest that women prone to recurrent UTIs can

make relatively minor dietary changes to prevent future bladder

infections.

 

More than half of all American women will experience at least one

UTI during the course of their lives.

 

UTIs are due to contamination of the urinary tract by bacteria from the

stool and can cause frequent urination, excessive urgency to urinate,

painful urination,

blood in the urine, fever or low back pain.

 

The bacterium most often responsible for causing UTIs is Escherichia

coli, but other bacteria may also be involved.

 

Physicians usually treat UTIs with antibiotics such as ampicillin,

trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®,

Septra®), ciprofloxacin (Cipro®) or levofloxacin (Levaquin®).

 

 

However, antibiotics can cause diarrhea or yeast infections in some

individuals and may become ineffective if taken for long periods of

time or if repeated courses of antibiotics are used.

 

In the new study, dietary and lifestyle habits of 139 women with

newly diagnosed UTIs were compared with those of 185 women who had

not had a UTI in the previous five years.

 

Questionnaires were given to all participants regarding dietary and

lifestyle habits during the past month, with special emphasis on intake

of berries,unsweetened berry juices, and fermented milk

products (organic yogurt, organic cottage cheese, sour cream).

Intake of nutritional supplements and other medications was also recorded.

 

Consumption of unsweetened organic berry juices—particularly raspberry,

cranberry, strawberry, and currant juices—one to three times per week was

associated with a lower risk of UTI recurrence, compared with

consumption of berry juice less than once a week.

 

Intake of fermented organic dairy products more than three times per

week was also associated with a decreased risk of developing a UTI.

Greater intercourse frequency was associated with an increased risk of UTI.

 

As an alternative to antibiotics, certain herbs may be effective in

treating UTIs,

including uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), nettles

(Urtica dioica), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), parsley (Petroselinum

crispum), and horsetail (Equisetum arvense).

 

Because a bladder infection can lead to a more serious

kidney infection if not adequately treated, herbal treatments for

UTIs should be supervised by a naturopathic physician.

 

—Darin Ingels, N.D.

 

Darin Ingels, N.D., M.T. (ASCP), received his bachelor's degree from

Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from

Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The

Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural

Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in

private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in

Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and

allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and

Healthnotes Newswire.

 

 

http://www.healthwellexchange.com/news.cfm?news=1314

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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:19 pm Post subject: Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos

uva-ursi)

 

Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

 

Uva-ursi is one of the best natural urinary antiseptics. It has been used

extensively in herbal medicine to disinfect and astringe the urinary tract in

cases of acute and chronic cystitis and urethritis. However, it is not a

suitable remedy if there is a simultaneous infection of the kidneys.

 

Experiments have shown that uva-ursi extracts have an antibacterial effect. This

action is thought to be stronger in alkaline urine-thus the efficacy of uva-ursi

is likely to increase if it is taken in combination with a vegetable-based diet.

Sodium bicarbonate is often administered with uva ursi to help increase the

alkalinity of the urine.

 

In the urinary tract, the arbutin in uva ursi is chemically transformed into an

antiseptic chemical, hydroquinone. Beta-carotene, present in generous quantities

in uva ursi, is known to stimulate the production of epithelial cells.

 

Ursolic acid has antiseptic properties and the flavonoids have spasmolytic

properties on the smooth muscles which help reduce reactions to pain stimulus in

urinary tract infections and increase renal volume in inflamed renal tubules.

 

Uva Ursi’s allantoin may help spur wound healing. Allantoin is the active

ingredient in several over-the-counter skin creams for relief of oral herpes and

for irritation associated with vaginal infections.

 

It’s the diuretic most often used in herbal weight-loss formulas as a diuretic.

Uva Ursi is among the herbs useful in diabetes for excessive sugar.

 

http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_p16.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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