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How Are You Healing Today? *UTIs*

With a natural simple sugar to help prevent and treat UTIs!


Looking for a natural way to protect against and heal UTIs, support healthy blood sugar levels, help suppress Type I Diabetes, help reduce food cravings, and feed the good bacteria in the gut microbiome to help support immune health? Then, let’s explore D-Mannose!


D-Mannose is a simple sugar, which is related to glucose, and acts as an anti-infective agent [1]. It is best known for its ability to help prevent and heal UTIs. UTIs are bacterial infections, with the most common culprit being e.coli (Escherichia coli), a naturally occurring bacteria in the human body. UTIs are caused by bacteria adhering to the bladder wall, or staying in the urinary tract long enough that they grow, populate and cause infection. Studies show that D-Mannose is thought to create a slippery surface on the bladder wall, urinary tract and around bacteria like e.coli. By creating the slippery surface that the bacteria cannot stick to, it results in the bacteria being expelled from the body through urination [1].


Further, D-Mannose is known to boost the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and improve bladder health, while not negatively affecting blood sugar levels, even though it is a simple sugar. “Structurally, D-mannose is similar to glucose, but it’s absorbed at a slower rate in the gastrointestinal tract. It has a lower glycemic index than glucose, as after it’s consumed it needs to be converted into fructose and then glucose, thereby reducing the insulin response and impact on blood sugar levels.”[2] – Christine Ruggeri, CHHC.


Healing Ally

The most popular and best known “home remedy” for UTIs is cranberry juice! D-Mannose in cranberries is believed to be the reason for its ability to help prevent UTIs and heal them. Thanks to Nature, D-Mannose can be found in many vegetables, fruits, and even spices! Look to cranberries, blueberries, oranges, apples, mangos, tomatoes, green beans, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, seaweed, kidney beans, turnips, aloe vera, and even cayenne pepper, as good sources of this healing simple sugar![2]


How Common are UTIs?


Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial diseases worldwide, and one of the most well-known infections for recurrence.


UTIs are most common for women, however men and children can also develop UTIs. [3] Women are 30 times more likely to develop a UTI than men. One contributing reason is though to connect to female anatomy, with women having a shorter urethral opening which is closer to the rectum, which is thought to make it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract, attached to cells within the urinary tract, bladder and potentially kidneys,  and grow [4]. There are activities and health conditions that are potential opportunities and risks for the development of UTIs:

 

  • Some neurological and medical conditions: Such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Strokes, Kidney disease, and Diabetes may impair the function of muscles and nerves required to control the bladder, and impair the ability to empty the bladder. This may increase the risk for UTIs. [5]


  • Sexual activity: Sexual activity can move bacteria into the urethra in women. [5]


  • Catheters: Poor care, cleaning and improper changing of urinary catheters (for both females and males) can lead to the growth of bacteria and result in UTIs. [3]


  • Blockages in the Urinary Tract: Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can trap urine in the bladder. As a result, risk of UTIs is higher. [6]


  • Birth Control: Spermicides, which kill good bacteria that protect against infection, may increase the risk of UTIs. [3]


  • Pregnancy: A growing uterus may put pressure on the bladder and make it challenging to fully empty the bladder - when urine remains in the bladder, bacteria can collect and cause infection. Also, hormonal changes during pregnancy may alter the balance of bacteria in the urinary tract, which may increase the risk of a bacterial infection. [3]


  • Menopause: Low estrogen levels after menopause may lead to vaginal tissue becoming thin and dry, which creates an environment for bacteria to collect and grow. [3]


  • Age: UTIs can impact people of all ages, however seniors tend to be more at risk for UTIs because of hormonal, immunological and physical changes (such as frailty) that can occur with age and/or resulting from a variety of conditions. [5]


How Does D-Mannose Support Health and Healing?


D-mannose has been shown to be as effective as antibiotics in healing UTIs, in shorter time frames, and without the adverse effects as seen with antibiotic use. [7] D-Mannose is a well-studied simple sugar, and research suggests that it is beneficial for many conditions, including:


  • Effective in Protecting Against and Healing UTIs: Studies show that D-Mannose, when excreted in urine, potentially inhibits e.coli, the main causative organism of UTIs, from attaching to the urinary tract wall and causing infection. [8];


  • Supports Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: D-Mannose supports the release of insulin, which may help support healthy blood sugar levels already within normal range. [9] D-Mannose is also filtered out of the body by the kidneys, unlike glucose which is stored in the liver. D-Mannose does not remain in the body for long periods of time, so it is believed to not act as fuel for your body like glucose. This also means that D-Mannose can positively benefit the bladder, urinary tract and gut without affecting other areas of the body. [9]


  • May Suppress Type I Diabetes: D-mannose may be able to suppress Type 1 Diabetes, a condition where the body does not produce insulin (a hormone needed to get glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells) [9]. “D-mannose is a “healthy/good” monosaccharide and this unique sugar could be a safe dietary supplement to promote immune tolerance and to treat/prevent human diseases associated with autoimmunity, such as Type I Diabetes, and allergy.” [10]– Yun Bo Chi


  • Acts as a Prebiotic: D-Mannose is known to act as a prebiotic, which stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut microbiome [11];

 

Maintain a Healthy Urinary Tract Through Food Sources of D-Mannose

 

Sourcing D-Mannose from foods is a great way to ensure that your body has enough of this simple sugar to protect the urinary tract from harmful bacteria.

 

Explore these websites for fun recipes, including cold-pressed juices and smoothies, using the foods above:


Are There Any Concerns or Cautions?


It is important to consider the following:

  • Allergies and sensitivities: 

    • Be mindful if you have allergies or sensitivities to specific food sources that are sources of D-Mannose, and avoid these sources.


  • Supplements:

    • If taking D-Mannose supplements for a UTI, be sure to work with your trusted healthcare practitioner and follow the recommendations. UTIs can progress to more serious infections, including kidney infections, so working with your trusted healthcare practitioner is vital [12];

    • D-Mannose supplements may cause bloating, loose stools, diarrhea [12];

    • D-Mannose supplements may affect blood glucose levels in people with Diabetes [13];

    • There are concerns about safety of D-Mannose supplements for children, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding [13].


*It is always important to consult with your trusted healthcare practitioner prior to making any major lifestyle changes, especially if taking any medications.

 

 

 

References:

1.      Article: “D-mannose (sugar tablets) for preventing or treating urinary tract infections in adults and children”. Cochrane.org. Authors: T.E. Cooper, et.al. https://www.cochrane.org/CD013608/RENAL_d-mannose-sugar-tablets-preventing-or-treating-urinary-tract-infections-adults-and-children

2.      Article: “D-Mannose: A Sugar to Prevent Recurrent UTIs?”. Dr.Axe.com. Author: Christine Ruggieri CHHC. https://draxe.com/nutrition/d-mannose-uti/

3.      Article: “Urinary Tract Infection Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know”. VeryWellHealth.com. Author: Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH. https://www.verywellhealth.com/urinary-tract-infection-facts-and-statistics-6503753

4.      Article: “Female Anatomy”. VeryWellHealth.com. Author: Brandi Jones, MSN-ED RN-BC  https://www.verywellhealth.com/female-body-diagram-5209032

5.      Article: “Urinary Tract Infections 101”. CanAge.com. https://www.canage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/UTI-Paper-1-UTIs-101_FINAL.pdf  

6.      Article: “Urinary Tract Infection”. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447

7.      Article: “Why d-Mannose May Be as Efficient as Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Lower Urinary Tract Infections—Preliminary Considerations and Conclusions from a Non-Interventional Study”. PubMed. Authors: Florian Wagenlehner, et.al.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8944421/

8.      Article: “Role of D-mannose in urinary tract infections – a narrative review”. Nutrition Journal. Authors: Reeta Ala-Jaakkola, et.al. https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-022-00769-x

9.      Article: “A good sugar, d-mannose, suppresses autoimmune diabetes”. PubMed. Authors: Yun-Bo Shi, et.al. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613377/

10.   Article: “Immunoregulation by members of the TGFβ superfamily”. PubMed. Authors: WanJun Chen, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27885276/

11.   Article: “Prebiotic properties of mannose and its effect on specific resistance”. PubMed. Authors: O.S. Korneev, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23163040/

12.   Article: “Can D-mannose treat a UTI?” Medical News Today. Author: Timothy Huzar. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323938#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

13.   Article: “Does D-Mannose Prevent or Treat UTIs?”. VeryWellHealth.com. Author: Jennifer Lefton, MS, RD/N, CNSC, FAND. https://www.verywellhealth.com/d-mannose-for-bladder-health-89443

 
 
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