This one if for my fellow women – sorry guys! Part 2

Following on from part 1 on how to treat unirary tract infections naturally here are more tips.

Probiotics

In a study of postmenopausal women prone to UTIs, a probiotic supplement containting Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobascillus reuteri RC-14 cut the number of recurrences by around 50% over a yea.  The “good guy” bacteria were almost as effective as antibiotics and they had the advantage of not leading to drug resistant bacteria which may happen with antibiotics.  Probiotics also seem to help prevent UTI when use as vaginal suppositories.

Ulva Ursi

There is evidence to suggest the herby may reduce the duration of a UTI when one strikes.   The German Federal Institue for Drugs and Medical devices approves the herb for treatment of UTIs.  In one clinical trial, supplements containing standardized extracts of uva ursi as well as dandelion root taken for 1 month effectively prevented UTIs over the following year.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may help prevent and treat UTIs by acidifying the urine, creating a hostile environment for infection – causing bacteria.  In a study of preganty women, those given daily supplements including 100mg vitamin C experienced significantly fewer UTIs than women given supplements without vitamin C.

Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22782199

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/ctu/news/2018/04/20-atafuti-trial-protocol-publication.page

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011393X05802048?via%3Dihub

https://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c199

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17611821

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