Are
you plagued with recurring urinary tract infections that antibiotics
never seem to completely cure? Or do you just hate the idea of subjecting
your body to yet another round of those antibiotics? D-mannose just
might be your answer.Every
year millions of women) suffer with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Nearly 90% of these infections are caused by the bacteria E. coli
(which is actually considered a "good" bacteria when it
remains in the gastrointestinal tract where it belongs). Problems
occur when E. coli leaves the GI tract and finds its way up the
urethra and into the bladder, where it multiplies and spreads. Once
the infection takes hold, uncomfortable symptoms usually follow.
These may include:
- A
frequent urge to urinate
- Painful
urination (a "burning" sensation)
- Strong,
unpleasant urine odor
- Cloudy
urine
- Uncomfortable
pressure in the lower abdomen
Most
patients diagnosed with a UTI are prescribed a course of antibiotics,
which can wreak havoc on the body in several ways. Antibiotics kill
the "friendly" bacteria in the GI tract, which may result
in diarrhea, nausea, and/or constipation. These friendly bacteria
also prevent the overgrowth of yeast, so when they are killed off,
a vaginal yeast infection often results (requiring yet another medication
to "cure"). And one more thing to consider: the overuse
of antibiotics can encourage the mutation of bacteria, creating
antibiotic-resistant strains.
The
good news is that you may never need an antibiotic for a UTI again.
There is an all-natural product available which may prove just as
effective as an antibiotic, without any side effects whatsoever.
It is inexpensive, easy to use, and does not require a doctor's
prescription. This little-known cure is a simple sugar called "D-mannose".
D-mannose
occurs naturally in many plants, including cranberries, blueberries,
peaches, oranges, and apples. As a supplement, it can be purchased
in powder form, which dissolves easily in water or juice and has
a pleasant taste. It is so safe that it can be used by pregnant
women and children, and it is even considered safe for diabetics,
as it doesn't interfere with blood sugar regulation.
D-mannose
does not kill any bacteria - friendly or unfriendly. It serves as
a kind of magnet in the urinary tract, attracting any present E.
coli bacteria and keeping it from attaching to the bladder lining
(and dislodging any bacteria which are already attached). The bacteria
cling to the D-mannose molecules, and are flushed out with the normal
urine flow. The recommended dosage for an ongoing infection is one
teaspoon of D-mannose dissolved in liquid every few hours, continued
for three days. The curative effects of D-mannose are usually felt
within 24 hours - if no change is noticed within 72 hours, a physician
should be consulted (it may be that the infection is caused by a
bacteria other than E. coli).
The powder may also be used as a preventative measure, for those
who suffer from recurring infections. The maintenance dose varies
per person, but a good starting point is one teaspoon per day mixed
with liquid. For those women who suffer from "honeymoon cystitis"
(bladder infections linked to sexual intercourse), one teaspoon
of D-mannose an hour before intercourse, and another immediately
after, can help prevent infection.
D-mannose is still relatively unknown, especially in the conventional
medical community. There have been many research reports over the
years which demonstrate the safety of D-mannose, and its effectiveness
against the bacteria E. coli - but the FDA has not approved it as
a medical treatment. This is largely because as a naturally-occurring
sugar, it is not able to be patented - which means the large drug
companies have no incentive to spend the millions of dollars it would
take to do the large-scale controlled study which would be required
for FDA approval.
D-mannose
is starting to become more available at health food stores, but
it is still not common to find it there. Currently, the easiest
place to find it is on the Internet - there are several different
companies who market it, and it can be purchased at many online
supplement stores. (A simple keyword search will bring up many choices
- it is worth looking around a bit for the best price.)
If
you are one of those who struggle with frequent UTIs, D-mannose
can make a real difference in your life. This extremely safe, all-natural
powder may enable you to treat your own infections without the expense
of a doctor's visit and the side effects of prescription drugs.
And used as a preventative, it can help you avoid the pain and discomfort
of an infection altogether.
after fighting one UTI after another for a couple of years now, i have finally stumbled across d-mannose. i am a very happy girl!! when i woke up a week ago with *another* UTI, i refused to go through yet another round of antibiotics, and cranberry just does not work for me (i even take preventive cranberry supplements every single day...no matter), so i did web search for "natural UTI cure" and got *lots* of results for d-mannose. i ordered the loose powder form and have been taking 1 tsp every 2 hours and getting amazing results. i got so sick of antibiotics! they kill the e-coli, but it just comes right back in spite of all my preventive efforts. and antibiotics wreak havoc on your body, throw your birth control pills out the window (again!! argh!!), and require trip after trip to the doctor and the pharmacy. I LOVE D-MANNOSE!!! i'm a believer!! i'm telling every female i know!! spread the word, ladies!! this stuff is a miracle as far as i'm concerned!