Cranberry - Natural Bladder Infection Control

For years, the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been used by countless women to prevent and treat bladder infections.
Originally, scientists believed drinking cranberry juice cocktail acidified the urine, hindering bacterial proliferation. At the time, this practice was one of the few effective treatments for women with recurrent bladder infections.
However, modern research has now led us to the discovery that cranberry helps relieve bladder infection not by any process of acidification, but rather due to its ability to prevent microorganisms from adhering to the epithelial cells that line the urinary tract.
Escherichia coli (E. coli), the most common bladder infection-causing bacteria, produces chemicals known as adhesions, enabling the organism to cling to epithelial cells where they proliferate and cause infection.
Cranberry juice was found to contain a substance which inhibits the adhesion activity of bacteria - an, as yet, unidentified polymeric compound.
It is now known that cranberries, due to their antibacterial properties, can reduce the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infection.
The beneficial effect of cranberry juice for urinary tract infections is due in part to the presence of hippuric acid, a compound with antibiotic activity. However, cranberry's effects on full blown infections have not been studied.
Cranberry Juice or Cranberry Extract?
Because of the high sugar and moderate calorie content of cranberry juice, coupled with the amount required each day for optimum effect, you may prefer to take a cranberry extract instead of juice.
Cranberry juice, like all fruit juices is high in fructose. The fructose, like nearly all simple sugars, is metabolized quickly and disrupts insulin levels, leading to diabetes - one of the most chronic illness.
Mannose
However, cranberry juice has another active ingredient - a simple carbohydrate called mannose. Unfortunately, most studies on this subject, tend to ignore that fact.
The mannose actually adheres to the receptors on the lining of the bladder that attach to the bacteria. This forces the bacteria to slide right off and into the toilet.
Mannose is amazingly effective and a far safer one than prophylactic use of antibiotics or even cranberry juice. So mannose once, twice, or three times a day seems to be a superior, more effective and less damaging, alternative to cranberry juice for the treatment and prevention of bladder infections. Cranberry Concentrate : Dietary Supplement
Cranberry Concentrate is a natural cranbery (Vaccinium macrocarpon) fruit extract, standardized for potency, containing: vital acids, such as quinic, benzoic and hippuric, found in fresh cranberries and 5% anthocyanidins unique to cranberries.
They posses an Anti-Adherence Factor that inhibits the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the urinary tract (uroepithelial cells).
Supplement Facts Serving Size: One (1) Capsule
Amount Per Serving:
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)concentrate (fruit) (5% anthocyanidins): 600 mg
Other Ingredients: Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (Vegicaps).
Contains no added starch, salt, wheat, gluten, corn, coloring, dairy products or preservatives.
Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry and dark place. Keep out of reach of children.
Pregnancy / Nursing: Safe
Cautions: None known.
Recommended Intake
Directions:: Take three (3) capsules with meals - up to nine (3) capsules daily.
Description:Traditionally used to treat urinary tract infection; recent research has indicated that Cranberry concentrate is effective at supporting urinary tract health.
Main Applications (As Reported by Literature):
Preventing and treating bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Preventing kidney stones.
Raising HDL ("good") cholesterol and increasing plasma antioxidant levels (both important factors for reducing the risk of heat disease).
Aiding recovery from stroke, especially during early stages when severe cellular damage occurs.
PLEASE NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.