Case study series - Suffer frequent UTIs?

How you can help yourself naturally!

Not only are they very uncomfortable with symptoms such as painful urination, abdominal discomfort and incontinence, if left for long periods of time UTIs can have serious consequences. Conditions such as pyelonephritis, something I have been hospitalised with and know only too well how painful it is, and sepsis (when an infection reaches the bloodstream) are serious risks.

UTIs also have a propensity to become recurrent resulting in long-term physical and emotional distress and disruption to life. Antibiotics, although very necessary if the infection is severe, tend to get handed out only too frequently and will only exacerbate the problem in the long term.

As they can be influenced by various factors such as weakened immune function, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, and structural abnormalities, only by addressing these underlying root causes will you prevent lifelong reoccurrence.

Supporting the prevention and management of UTIs through diet and lifestyle.

1) To restore health and balance within the urinary tract it is worth considering digestive health and the presence of opportunistic microbes such as E.coli.

Digestive health is very much related to the health of your urinary tract which can act as a reservoir for infections. Your gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune function and overall health. Balancing the gut microbiota through a diet rich in lots of colourful fibre, probiotic-rich foods, and possibly targeted probiotic supplementation may help support urinary tract health.

There is a lot of research on the benefit of probiotics for reducing risk and frequency of UTIs with specific strains ( L plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. salivarius, L. casei , L. helveticus W74, L. pentosus, and L. brevis) shown to inhibit the growth of various UTI causing pathogens.

Alongside taking probiotics, dietary changes will help your healthy beneficial bacteria thrive such as reducing sugary, refined carbohydrates which can disrupt your gut microbiome.

2) Try natural substances such as cranberry, D-mannose, hibiscus, Uva ursi and vitamin C which help prevent the adhesion of pathogens to the lining of the urinary tract.

3) Strengthening the immune system can also help the body fight off infections more effectively. Strategies such as optimising nutrient intake (particularly vitamins A, C, D, and zinc), managing stress, improving sleep quality, and incorporating immune-supporting herbs or supplements, such as echinacea or elderberry.

4) Address underlying drivers of poor resilience increasing your susceptibility to urinary tract infections. For example, blood sugar issues, a diet high in refined carbohydrates, dehydration and low immunity will impact susceptibility.

5) Eat a varied diet and check your nutrient status. - Insufficient nutrient status including Vitamin A, Vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C, impacts your resilience and likelihood of suffering reoccurrences.

Vitamin A, for example, is important for mucous membranes that protect the lining of the urinary tract, its first line of defence, and Vitamin D directly stimulates localised immune responses protecting against infection.

6) An anti-inflammatory diet with adequate protein, healthy fats and colourful plants, and proper hydration is essential for supporting urinary tract health. Avoiding foods that may irritate the urinary system (such as caffeine, spicy foods, sugar, and artificial sweeteners) may also help.

If you have any questions or need any help whatsoever, please do get in touch.

Julie x

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