Prevention & Treatment

Conventional treatment focuses on antibiotics and the majority of uncomplicated cases are successfully treated with one round of antibiotics. However, there are many natural alternatives out there you can also try and they double as preventative therapies!

Diet – eliminating processed sugars and alcohol and focusing on increasing pre- and probiotics and water intake have been shown to be beneficial in helping with UTIs. UTIs occur when the bad bacteria overpower the beneficial bacteria. Thus, ensuring a healthy flora either through diet or supplementation is a great treatment and preventative measure. Though research is mixed, strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri have proven to be the most beneficial when treating UTIs.

Botanicals – Does your mind automatically go to cranberry juice when you hear UTI? That’s because it works! A key step in treating UTIs is preventing bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Vaccinium macrocarpon or Cranberry have certain constituents called PACs and they do just that. Other effective herbs include antibacterials such as berberine, goldenseal, oregano and thyme.

Supplements – D-mannose, a simple sugar, has also been shown to be effective. It binds to the cells on the bladder walls that normally the bacteria would bind to. Because their ‘spot’ is taken, the bacteria don’t have a place to bind therefore are flushed out of the system through the urine. Supplementing with Vitamin C and Vitamin D on a daily basis also keep your immune system ready in case another infection occurs.