Supplements for Cystitis/Urinary Tract Infections

There’s several natural supplements for cystitis that could be useful for preventing bladder infections and also for fighting off active infections. 90% of bacterial cystitis are caused by E. coli bacteria. The other 10% are usually caused by other strains. Therefore, appropriate supplements should be chosen for the type of bacteria that is present.

Cranberry: has long been associated with the prevention of cystitis. The anti-oxidant compounds found in cranberry called proanthocyanidins (PACs) have been found to have an inhibitory effect on the adhesion of E. coli on the bladder and urethral lining. This may prevent E. coli from causing an infection. Some studies have shown that cranberry is not as effective as previously thought, but this may be due to a lack of standardized extracts. Look for a high potency, unsweetened form of cranberry that contains PACs. Cranberry may be more effective when taken together with the bee-glue propolis. Cranberry may also be useful if an E. coli infection is already present. As cranberry is acidic, it may worsen the symptoms of burning. If this occurs, stop the ingestion.
Garlic: has been shown to have anti-bacterial activity against some strains of E. coli. You may want to incorporate garlic into your diet or take a good-quality allicin (the active compound in garlic) supplement. It may have anti-bacterial action against other strains too.
Uva Ursi: has been found to have antiseptic and antibacterial activity due to its arbutin content. It seems to be especially active against E. coli and also has diuretic properties that help flush out the bladder.
Berberine: has been found to have antimicrobial activity against many different microbial strains.
Lactoferrin: is naturally found in breast-milk and is an immunoregulatory protein that has antimicrobial activity. It has been found to reduce E. coli infections in mice and may also work against other bacterial strains.
D-Mannose: is a natural sugar that has been found to attach itself to E. coli bacteria and as such prevent their adhesion to the bladder lining. The bacteria can now be flushed out in the urine. This may also be useful as a preventative measure. D-Mannose may be helpful for E. coli infections but not necessarily for any other strains.
Biofilm-disruptors: If you suffer from recurrent bouts of cystitis, bacteria may have developed biofilms on the bladder lining, which protect them from antibiotics. In that case, supplementation with proteolytic (protein-splitting) enzymes (such as nattokinase or bromelain) or specialist biofilm-disruptors (such as InterFase Plus) may be of help when combined with an antimicrobial agent ( Some biofilm-disruptors and especially proteolytic enzymes are contra-indicated for people with bleeding disorders or people taking drugs that influence blood clotting. Always make sure to check with your doctor before taking any supplements).
Lauricidin: is an antimicrobial that is specific against gram-positive pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Listeria, Bacillus, and Clostridium and as such may be helpful if the infection is caused by bacterial strains other than E. coli.
Botanicals: the following botanicals may be helpful when consumed as tea – Echinacea, calendula and yarrow. Some places sell teas specifically formulated for the urinary tract.
Probiotics: The normal bacterial flora has been recognised as an important defence to infection. There seems to be a correlation between the loss of normal genital flora, which is dominated by Lactobacilli, and an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections. Therefore, supporting the genital flora with probiotics may help to prevent urinary tract infections. Lactobacilli are the main strains to look for, particularly L. rhamnosus and L. crispatus. Special formulations for women (such as FemDophilus) and probiotic suppositories are available.

To boost the immune system against future infection:

Vitamin C: is one of the most powerful nutrients for the immune system as it stimulates certain immune cells and has antibacterial properties. Its action is enhanced by bioflavonoids.
Green tea: the catechins in green tea are potent anti-oxidants and have antibacterial properties.
Echinacea tea: Echinacea has immune-stimulating and antimicrobial properties and may therefore be useful for preventing infections.
Elder: Elderberries and flowers both have immune-supporting properties.
Garlic: can boost the immune system and has antimicrobial properties.
Ginger: is anti-inflammatory and can support immune-function.
Turmeric: has potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

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Sources

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