Best Natural Supplements for Long Term Relief from UTI

It is incredible how the human body works. A urinary tract infection (UTI) more commonly affects the bladder and urethra, and it also leads to an infection of kidneys, ureters too. This particular infection constitutes a significant 25 percent of all infections. The disease is more common in women with around 50 to 60 percent being affected every year.

If depending on the antibiotics alone, doesn’t seem like a relief, you should try other natural alternatives instead. There are a few herbal supplements for UTI that can help you relieve the associated pain effectively.

• • Supplements
    1. Cranberry Extract
    2. Bromelain
    3. D-Mannose
    4. Probiotics
    5. Vitamin C
    6. Hibiscus
  • FAQs

Facts

Supplements For UTI

1. Cranberry Extract

Cranberry extract is a quite well-known supplement for UTI. It has always been considered one of the best supplements for UTI. Cranberry contains proanthocyanidins that help to fight bacteria.

It is full of antioxidants that protect the body from damage. It helps prevent and treat UTI and its symptoms. You could safely try it as it does not have any harmful effects on UTI.

You could take cranberry juice, extract, or cranberry supplements for treating UTI. If you want to take it in the form of cranberry juice, opt for a pure and unsweetened one.

There is no recommended dosage known for cranberry supplements for UTI. You can, however, take 500 to 1500 mg of cranberry powder in a day. You should choose products that have 25 percent or 36 mg of proanthocyanidins per serving.

Excessive use might lead to an upset stomach. People who had kidney stones or those allergic to salicylates should avoid using cranberry. If you are on blood-thinning drugs,  you should consult your doctor before trying cranberry in any form.

[Also Read: Cranberry Juice For Treating UTI]

2. Bromelain

You could use Bromelain supplements for UTI. Bromelain consists of a group of protein-digesting enzymes. Unlike other enzymes, the proteins in Bromelain are, to a certain extent absorbed whole. When Bromelain enters the blood, it reduces inflammation. Further, it has a thinning effect on the blood and impacts immunity (1).

There are various Bromelain supplements for UTI available in the market. You could choose any good brand. You should remember that it is a pineapple extract and hence not use it if you are allergic to pineapple. Though Bromelain is safe to be used, it might cause allergies if you are allergic to wheat, latex, celery, fennel, carrot, and so on.

There is no recommended dosage for Bromelain. You could take 400 mg of Bromelain or follow the instructions on the label of the product you choose. It should not be consumed with other blood-thinning medications. It might interfere with the effect of sedatives and antibiotics.

[Also Read: Foods That Treat UTI]

3. D-Mannose

D-Mannose is a natural sugar found in some vegetables and fruits. Interestingly, it was known to be useful for UTI in animals. Two types of research that tried to prove the effectiveness of D-Mannose with a controlled trial in 2014 and another study in 2016 concluded that D-mannose might be useful in preventing and curing UTIs.

You could try any D-Mannose supplements available in the market. Do not use it if you are pregnant or diabetic.

There is no recommended dosage for D-Mannose. Consume it as per the instructions on the label of the product.

4. Probiotics

Thanks to the advertisements for probiotics, everyone already knows that it consists of ‘good bacteria.’ They assist in preventing and treating some infections. The ‘good’ bacteria in probiotics could stop the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria in the vagina.

Regular use of antibiotics might increase the body’s resistance towards it. Researchers suggest the use of probiotics as a long term cure for recurring UTIs.

A study on 162 UTI patients involved giving patients probiotics along with antibiotics to half the patients and only antibiotics to the rest. This study concluded that probiotics help in stopping the growth of microbes and can also help prevent future occurrence of UTIs(2).

Probiotics are available in the form of fermented foods and supplements in the form of tablets, capsules, or powder. You could either consume the supplements or opt for the fermented food like plain Greek yogurt, etc.

In the case of supplements, Lactobacilli is considered to be the most beneficial for UTI. You could follow the label instructions for the recommended dosage. Septicemia patients should avoid taking probiotics.

5. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is excellent for your body as it boosts your immunity. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. You could take Vitamin C for UTI as it increases the acidity of the urine and kills bacteria that cause infection. It helps to reduce the risk of UTIs.

Vitamin C is water-soluble, so it goes to the urine and attacks the bacteria in the tract. Other beneficial Vitamins for UTI are Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. Vitamin D and E are also considered to be useful for preventing UTI.

You could take any Vitamin C supplements available in the market. You could also get your daily dose of Vitamin C for UTI from fruits and vegetables like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, blueberries, strawberries, green peppers, and green leafy vegetables. Alternatively, you could try other Vitamins for UTI like Vitamin D and Vitamin E.

You could safely consume 500-1000 mg of Vitamin C supplements for UTI. Vitamin C is safe for consumption; even pregnant women can consume it. However, you should not take an excess of Vitamin C supplements.

[ Read: Foods to Avoid with UTI ]

6. Hibiscus

Hibiscus plant is a quite useful plant. Its stem is used to make ropes, leaves in cooking and roots for medicinal purposes. The flowers are generally bright red and have a lot of curative properties. The petals are useful for making tea.

A study conducted by Taiwan’s Medical University used hibiscus tea on patients with urinary catheters. This study concluded that regular use of hibiscus tea reduced the incidence of UTIs. It further found that it helped in urine clearance and reduced inflammation and infections(3).

You could use any good quality hibiscus supplements for UTI. Alternatively, you could prepare hibiscus tea. Soak the hibiscus flowers in boiling water for 10-30 minutes. Strain and enjoy the mild fragrant tea.

You could consume 200 mg of hibiscus supplement safely. Alternatively, you could drink 1-3 cups of hibiscus tea in a day. Hibiscus lowers blood pressure and sugar. So, consult your doctor before using it. It might be unsafe for pregnant women.

These are some of the best supplements for UTI. You should not take any supplements without consulting your doctor. Self-treatment could prove fatal. You need to get a thorough checkup done in case of recurrent UTIs.

Your doctor could give you correct advice regarding the dosage and suitability of these according to your present health condition. The proper usage of these supplements could help you relieve you of the pain. Drink lots of fluids, practice some healthy habits, and try these natural and effective supplements for UTI.

[Also Read: Herbal Remedies for UTI]

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FAQs

1. What Can You Do to Prevent UTI?

You could prevent UTI through the following steps

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
• Wipe from front to back, especially after bowel movements and after urinating
• After intercourse drink a glass of water and empty your bladder
• Avoid the use of products that can irritate.

2. What Are the Top Home Remedies For UTI?

The top home remedies for UTI are

• Drinking lots of water
• Maintaining hygiene
• Emptying your bladder often throughout the day
• Vaginal estrogen cream for females
• Eating garlic
• Consuming Supplements For UTI

3. How Is Garlic Beneficial For UTI?

Garlic is a herb with many curative properties. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Studies have shown that it can stop the growth of bacteria due to its anti-microbial properties.