Urinary Tract Infection: What Is It, How Does It Affect Women And What to Do to Fight It?

“When bacteria are less sensitive to antibiotics, UTIs become more difficult to fight.”

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system involving the lower urinary tract, comprised of the bladder and urethra. While in clinical practice urinary tract infections are a constant issue facing women—many have one or more outbreaks per year lasting several days—still, the only solution being offered by the medical system are antibiotics which is very stressful for those affected. Repeated antibiotic treatment might create the bedding ground for future outbreaks and that repeated use can make the antibiotics less effective, resulting in stronger and stronger treatments. How common is antibiotic resistance? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections happen every year in the U.S.[1]

The right treatment is critical especially for those that are pregnant because the untreated bacteria can replicate and pass their antibiotic resistance onto their offspring. When bacteria are less sensitive to antibiotics, UTIs become more difficult to fight.

The common causes of chronic UTIs[2]:

  • Sex: During sexual intercourse, bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the opening, called the urethra, through which urine exits the body.
  • Anatomy: Females are more vulnerable to UTIs because they have shorter urethras than males. Other people may have problems with the shape or function of the urinary tract that enable bacterial infection.
  • Menopause: Decreased estrogenlevels during menopause can cause vaginal tissues to thin, making them more vulnerable to infection. The infection can then spread to the urethra and urinary tract.
  • Genetics: Some studies have shown that certain people are born with cell receptors in the urinary tract that bacteria easily stick to. These receptors commonly occur in families, suggesting a genetic link.

UTI Symptoms:

  • passing frequent, small amounts of urine
  • strong, persistent urge to pee
  • burning sensation when urinating
  • nausea
  • cloudy urine
  • red or pink colored urine (signs of blood in the urine)
  • foul-smelling urine
  • pain and pressure within the abdomen
  • pain during intercourse
  • fever and chills
  • pelvic pain, in women (around the center of the pelvis and around the pubic bone)

Dietary Strategy:

As a result of aging and the consumption of the typical Canadian diet one might start lacking several trace minerals which can create the bedding ground for infections. UTI infections have been also associated with a weakened immunity and it is also known that “[m]ore than 80% of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in healthy individuals are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) that originate from the gut.”[3] There are some potentially effective strategies and methods that can boost immune defences to contain or prevent urinary tract infections.

Foods to Eat:

  • Berries. Although researchers are still studying their effectiveness, it is believed that eating cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries can help fight off a UTI. They contain proanthocyanidin, which has been shown to prevent infection-causing bacteria from adhering to the lining of the urinary tract.
  • Probiotic-rich foods. Try incorporating foods like plain Greek yogurt, pickles, and sauerkraut into your diet, since they contain good bacteria that can help combat an infection.
  • High-fiber foods. Foods that are high in fiber—such as bananas, beans, lentils, nuts, oats, and other whole grains—can help remove harmful bacteria from your body. They also encourage regular bowel movements, which can help relieve some bladder pressure.
  • Salmon. Cold-water fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation caused by a UTI. Fish oil supplements are another great alternative for individuals who do not eat fish; always consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.

Foods to Avoid:

Sugars of all kind – read the labels as many sugars are hidden from plain view as carbohydrates, soda, alcohol or artificial sweeteners. You should avoid spicy foods and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits which may aggravate UTIs. Avoid caffeinated drinks and drink two liters of purified water per day.

Life Choice® UTI Health

We have created a unique treatment, which, when taken daily, may prevent or reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in women. UTI Health helps to produce and repair connective tissue, prevents manganese deficiency, it helps to maintain normal iron transport in the body, to form red blood cells and aids in the development and maintenance of bones.

Copper is a missing component from others such products which have either cranberries or D-mannose but not both. Our treatment works for prevention if taken daily and if caught in time. For treatment take 2 pouches 2 to 3 times per day.

Copper

Lacking trace minerals can create the bedding ground for infections. One that is typically lacking is copper which is known to resist infections and bacterial growth.

While stainless steel surfaces hold bacterial growth for days if not weeks, copper surfaces are clear of bacteria within hours. Research has suggested that copper ions can prevent cell respiration, thereby punching holes in the bacterial cell membrane or disrupt the viral coat, and destroy the DNA and RNA inside. These discoveries are very important as they mean that no mutation can occur preventing the microbe from developing resistance to copper. How much copper is enough for the human body and considered safe for daily use? The amount of copper needed should be determined, and once established, the copper will help create a surface within the urinary tract that will eliminate bacterial growth from forming.

D-mannose

Lectins are the glycoproteins and they are known to bind specifically to carbohydrates on the cell surface. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses produce lectins that in turn provide the microbes with several advantages such as adhesion, infection, and inhibition of other microbes. D-mannose, a variety of sugar related to glucose and found in several fruits, naturally occurs in the human body. It may have the ability of preventing certain kinds of bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract and causing infection. According to a pilot study Oral D-mannose in recurrent urinary tract infections in women with D-mannose “appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for recurrent UTIs in adult women. A significant difference was observed in the proportion of women remaining infection free versus antibiotic treatment.”[4]

It is important to understand the cause of UTIs, identify the symptoms and find therapeutic options that can help effectively treat the infection. Antibiotics might seem the most obvious and easiest choice but you are risking reoccurring problems in the future so choose the best natural option to stay healthy.

References:

  • Abraham, Soman N. – Miao, Yuxuan. 2015. The nature of immune responses to urinary tract infections. Nat Rev Immunol. 15(10): 655–663.
  • Porru, D. et al. 2014. Oral D-Mannose in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women: A Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical Urology, vol. 7, no. 3: 208–213.

[1] CDC. 2019.

[2] Pugle, Michelle. 2023.

[3] Abraham, Soman N. – Miao, Yuxuan. 2015.

[4] Porru, D. et al. 2014.