cranberry and urine infections

jmp410

hi has anybody tried cranberry tablet for urine infections and if so what doesage

Bossyboots

This might be classed as seeking medical advice which is not allowed on this forum.

However I will answer with a simple fact for you to consider as you will. My friend did this and it made no difference whatsoever.

Ted_Hutchinson

Role of cranberry juice on molecular-scale surface characteristics and adhesion behavior of Escherichia coli.
This research shows the way cranberry juice works on urinary tract infections (UTIs) is by creating a non-stick surface which the bacteria cannot adhere to . This occurs in about 3 hrs after drinking Cranberry juice.
Regular consumption of cranberry juice can suppress H. pylori infection in endemically afflicted populations.

Cranberry juice constituents affect influenza virus adhesion and infectivity.

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Antiadhesion activity was evident in the urine within 2 hours and persisted for up to 10 hours following cranberry juice cocktail ingestion.[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
This last research indicates that to sustain the antiadhesion effect you would need to take at least two drinks(tablets) to cover you throughout the day and night.

This my personal experience and isn't put here as medical advice.
I found that when I had a series of UTI's when my bladder packed up it didn't make any
difference however much cranberry I drank. In order to get rid of the infection I had to use an antibiotic however the normal prescriptions didn't work either and it was only when I went on a long term antibiotic which I took for 2 months before it cleared. However, since then I have continued with the Cranberry juice and haven't had a repeat infection. (touch wood) [/font]There is evidence to support the use of cranberry to prevent UTI in some populations but none to support its use as a treatment.

Edit: The research applies to both juice drinks and tablets and both have positive results providing the cranberry is used three times a day.Article Does cranberry juice prevent or treat urinary tract infection? - Clinical InquiriesIt follows that a concentrated (one a day) tablet would be best used split into quarters and taken throughout the day rather than only once.

patgc

Hi, I am very interested in the Cranberry juice theory as I keep getting UTI's. Can anyone say what sort of dosage you should be looking for in tablet form. I have seen up to the equivalent of 6000mg in concentrated tablets.

Ted_Hutchinson

As far as the juice is concerned the usual amount used in the research is two 250-ml juice boxes a day leaving it to the user to space them out over the day. It's not easy to work out what that is the equivalent of in tablet form
Zipvit's are 18.95 for 360 5000mg
Healthydirect Ultra 3500mg180 Tablets Qty £11.99
500mg 360 Tablets our price £11.99

Healthspan Cranberry Tablets 200mg Concentrated Extract 120 tablets £5.95
simply supplements Cranberry - 360 Tablets 500mg £8.39
Goldshield 90 capsules Size 400mg Price £ 9.50
Holland and Barrett 140 mg =1680mg of fresh cranberry juice plus 100mg of vitamin C.250 for £7.24

I usually buy a few packs of Ocean Spray when it's on bogoff as I'm happy drinking it 3 times a day and I'm supposed to drink plenty anyway. I'd probably buy the high strength zipvit and quarter them to spread the dose through the day if I were to run out of real juice.

Baby_A

It is known fact! It worked for me when I was pregnant with my little one, kept getting urine infections, so was recommended cranberry juice. The stuff is not nice, but I found the cranberry and raspberry one bearable when it was chilled! It done the trick!

Turning_into_scrooge

It doesn't work for some people it actually causes uti's me included.

Bossyboots

Baby_A wrote:

It is known fact! It worked for me when I was pregnant with my little one, kept getting urine infections, so was recommended cranberry juice. The stuff is not nice, but I found the cranberry and raspberry one bearable when it was chilled! It done the trick!

The OP was asking about tablets, not the juice. In my experience the tablets do not clear an infection but increasing your intake of fluids is always a good starting point for a UTI so I can see why the cranberry drink would work.

Incidentally, the cartons of "cranberry juice" are mostly (in fact they are all I can find) "cranberry juice drink" and this is certainly the case with the cranberry and raspberry. They contain more water and sugar than cranberry.

SallyD

I am sure I saw an article a few months back about Cranberry Juice helping to reduce tooth plaque.....if this is the case, I would be interested to learn more.

Bossyboots

Here's something about that. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4466726.stm
I googled "cranberry juice tooth decay" and it brought up the above and other results. There appears to be a conflict between the benefit of cranberries and the sugar added so rather than link all the articles, it might be an idea to do the same search yourself.

Ted_Hutchinson

Bossyboots wrote:

The OP was asking about tablets, not the juice. In my experience the tablets do not clear an infection

Neither juice nor tablets have been shown to clear an infection. See my previous post for supporting reseach. But both will, if taken 3-times a day help (by 12-20%) prevent re-infection. You will probably need a prescription to clear and existing infection so see your doctor.

Bossyboots wrote:

Incidentally, the cartons of "cranberry juice" are mostly (in fact they are all I can find) "cranberry juice drink" and this is certainly the case with the cranberry and raspberry. They contain more water and sugar than cranberry.

It's certainly worth checking the Cranberry content of these cranberry drinks. The own brands tend to have a lower concentration of cranberry than Ocean Spray and as BB has pointed out the mixed cranberry/fruit flavours tend also to reduce the cranberry concentration. You can find "light" versions of the Ocean Spray cranberry drinks which reduce the calorie/sugar content somewhat.