Is Cranberry Juice Good For Prostate Infection

Surprising Remedies For Enlarged Prostate Symptoms

We know Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia to be a very common condition, affecting day-to-day quality of life. If you have been to your doctor and had a diagnosis, you may be reaching for advice on what to do next. Well, if this is the case, you may want to look at this list of surprising remedies for enlarged prostate symptoms.

Dr. Jen Tan

Cranberries And Prostate Health

Limited research has suggested cranberry may be beneficial for managing an enlarged prostate and prostatitis. One study ;included men who had lower urinary tract symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. Study participants who took 1,500 mg of dried powdered cranberries every day for six months experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms when compared with men who took a placebo.

In another study, rats with chronic bacterial prostatitis were given either cranberry, ciprofloxacin, E. coli extract, or no treatment . Rats given cranberry showed a significant reduction in inflammation of the prostate and in bacterial growth when compared with the control group.

Its also possible that cranberries may help with side effects following a prostate biopsy, which may include trouble urinating and urinary urgency. Proanthocyanidins are potent antioxidants, and their immune-boosting abilities can help avoid possible infection after a prostate biopsy.

How Men Can Benefit From Cranberries

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Cranberries have emerged as a potential tool in improving mens prostate health. Online personal trainer Andrew Cate looks at the latest research.

BackgroundProstate health is a significant issue, with benign prostatic hyperplasia one of the most common medical conditions affecting older men.

BPH is a non-cancerous swelling, or enlargement of the prostate gland, and is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms such as slow urine stream and incomplete bladder emptying.

The incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH increases dramatically as men get older. If left untreated, BPH can have a negative impact on quality of life, and may also lead to various medical complications.

This has lead to increasing interest and further study in the role of dietary supplements to help improve prostate health.

The researchResearch has suggested that cranberry fruits, juices and extracts may have anti-inflammatory properties. According to recent research published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the protective effect of cranberries toward urinary tract health may also extend to mens prostates.

The study involved 42 men with prostate health issues or lower urinary tract symptoms and compared a control group with a cranberry group, who consumed 1500 milligrams of cranberry fruit powder every day for 6 months.

Lifestyle implicationCranberries are available whole, dried, as juice, and powdered in various supplement forms.

References available on request

Recommended Reading: How To Reduce Prostate Inflamation

What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection

Most UTIs are caused by;E. coli;and other bacteria from the bowel and bladder that make their way into the;urinary;tract.

Symptoms of this infection include:

• Burning when you urinate.;
• Frequent or intense urge to urinate, even if only little comes out.;
• Pain in your lower back or abdomen.
• Cloudy, dark, bloody or strange-smelling urine.
• Fever or chills.

Daily Limit Of Cranberry Juice

You require an overall of 1;1/2 to 2 cups of 1-cup comparable fruit servings for the entire day. An 8-ounce glass of 100 percent cranberry juice counts towards your everyday fruit portions; nevertheless, it is possible to take in excessive. Having more than the advised servings can eventually lead to health problems.

Limitation your overall cranberry juice consumption to less than 1 liter each day. Drinking 1 liter of cranberry juice is equivalent to about 34 ounces or a little bit more than 4 cups, more than double your fruit portions for the day.

If you consume more than 1 liter daily for an extended time period, you might have an increased risk of kidney stones. Cranberry juice consists of a chemical called oxalate that binds with calcium, possibly forming stones in your kidneys when you drink large quantities of cranberry juice.

If you have a history of kidney stones, avoid consuming excessive cranberry juice by restricting your intake to two 8-oz. portions or less everyday.

Reaching or exceeding the everyday limitation of cranberry juice can dramatically increase the number of calories you take in. An 8-ounce glass of unsweetened 100 percent cranberry juice provides about 115 calories.

Consuming the 1 liter everyday limit of juice offers as much as 460 calories or more. If you typically follow a 2,000-calorie diet, this relates to almost 25 percent of your total calories for the day, just from juice. With time, these included calories can accumulate undesirable pounds.

Read Also: How Is A Prostate Exam Conducted

What Helps Enlarged Prostate Symptoms

An enlarged prostate, which causes symptoms like frequent and urgent urination, has many possible treatment options. Doctors can prescribe various medications, plus there are natural options such as Saw Palmetto. Changes to your diet and lifestyle can also help, as I discussed in my previous blog ‘6 natural remedies for an enlarged prostate‘.

In this blog, however, I will focus on a few remedies that you are less likely to be aware of. These are:

Read on to find out more about how these can help your symptoms and how you can add a little more to your diet!

Medications Changed By The Liver Substrates Interacts With Cranberry

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.Cranberry might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking cranberry along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking cranberry, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline , diazepam , zileuton , celecoxib , diclofenac , fluvastatin , glipizide , ibuprofen , irbesartan , losartan , phenytoin , piroxicam , tamoxifen , tolbutamide , torsemide , warfarin , and others.

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Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

All participants completed the IPSS including each of the seven areas , QoL and five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaires. Uroflowmetry data maximal urinary flow rate and average urinary flow rate were measured using the FlowMic . Prostate bladder voiding volume and post-void residual urine volume were assessed using the BK Medical Viking 2400 with abdominal probe 37;MHz. V and RV were calculated using the formula for a prolate ellipsoid . Histopathological examination of prostate tissue was done using ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in all subjects.

How To Prevent Utis

Despite the lack of effectiveness of cranberries, there are things you can do to help prevent a urinary tract infection:

• Drink water.; Hydrating with about two liters of water a day will help to flush the urinary tract, prevent infection and also is the most important way to prevent kidney stones.
• Practice good hygiene.; Women should wipe front to back after urinating and a bowel movement.
• Urinate after sex.; Urinating will help flush the lower part of the urinary tract.

Although cranberries are not effective in preventing or treating urinary tract infections, they are tasty, have antioxidant properties and are always a great compliment to holiday dinners!

If you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI, your primary care doctor can help.

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Read Also: Why Does Enlarged Prostate Cause Frequent Urination

Cranberry For Prostate Health

Men, Prostate

If you thought cranberry was good just for fighting urinary tract infections and eating as cranberry sauce, then its time to introduce you to how this small, tart berry can benefit prostate health. In fact, cranberry has demonstrated usefulness in managing symptoms of prostatitis and in the fight against prostate cancer.

Whats Special About Cranberry?

Cranberries are excellent sources of vitamin C and other antioxidants, especially a group known as proanthocyanidins . A unique type of PAC called B-type PACs are found in cranberries, and only these PACs can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.

As you may know, about half of men can expect to experience a prostate condition called prostatitis during their lifetime. By far, the most common type of prostatitis is chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, which is characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms such as urinary urgency, the need to get up often during the night to urinate, dribbling and painful urination.

Cranberries And The Prostate

The ability of cranberries to help relieve lower urinary tract symptoms was seen in a study of 42 men who had chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, which is often referred to as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome . All the men were assigned to take either 1,500 mg of dried powdered cranberries or no cranberry supplement daily for six months.

Cancer Effect

For more information on prostate health, see prostate.net.

Exercise And Lose Weight

Exercising and losing weight are some of the best things you can do to promote prostate health. Many studies show that moderate or vigorous exercise reduces risk of BPH and urinary tract symptoms;and helps with prostatitis as well.;Exercise also benefits your cardiovascular health and can help prevent other health and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.

If you are overweight, losing weight is one of the most important natural changes you can make in improving your prostate health, whether your concerns are cancer, BPH or prostatitis. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that overweight men, especially men with a high amount of abdominal fat, have an increased risk of BPH. If you are looking to shrink the prostate, losing weight can help you reduce your prostate size and help relieve annoying and frustrating urinary symptoms. On top of that, weight loss can reduce your risk for prostate cancer and help relieve prostatitis, too.

Also Check: How Do You Check For Prostate Cancer

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use this product if you are allergic to cranberry.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

• a history of kidney stones;

• cirrhosis or other liver disease ;

• diabetes ;

• a stomach disorder; or

• if you are allergic to aspirin.

It is not known whether cranberry will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Cranberry may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Oregano Blueberry And Grape Seed Extracts Boost The H Pylori Killing Properties Of Cranberries

Many functional foods and drinks work synergistically, meaning that their health-protecting action combined is greater than the sum of their actions taken separately. This is also the case for cranberry juice. A study that appeared in the December 2005 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that the H pylori fighting properties of cranberry phytochemicals were stronger when combined with oregano phytochemicals. Another study, published in the April 2005 issue of the journal Process Biochemistry, reported that the anti-H. pylori activity of cranberry juice extract was also significantly improved when combined with blueberry or grape seed extracts.

References:1. Lian Zhang . Efficacy of Cranberry Juice on Helicobacter pylori Infection: a Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Helicobacter, Volume 10, Issue 2, pages 139-145, April 2005.2. Y. T. Lin et al . Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori and Associated Urease by Oregano and Cranberry Phytochemical Synergies. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. December 2005 vol. 71 no. 12.3. D. A. Vattem . Cranberry synergies for dietary management of Helicobacter pylori infections. Process Biochemistry, Volume 40, Issue 5, April 2005, Pages 1583-1592.

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How Do Women Get Utis

Women have a more than 50% chance of getting a UTI at some point. This is;much more likely than men.

In women,;the;urethra is shorter than mens and is closer to the anus, where stool comes out. Its also close to the vagina, which can collect bacteria during sex,;Dr. Bajic;says. Because of this positioning bacteria from the anus or vagina have easy access to a womans;urinary;tract;making it easier for an infection to occur.

He also says women who have undergone menopause may have hormone-related changes to their vagina which can predispose them to infections. But this is treatable with prescription creams.

Women at higher risk include those who:;

• Are pregnant .
• Are post-menopausal .;
• Have pelvic organ prolapse, which makes it harder to empty the bladder.
• Use certain forms of birth control, such as diaphragms or spermicide.
• Are diabetic.;

Table 4 Markers Of Haematology And Clinical Chemistry In Control And Cranberry Groups

ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; GMT, -glutamyl transpeptidase; LD, lactate dehydrogenase; CRP, C-reactive protein; PSAtot, total prostate-specific antigen; PSAfree, free prostate-specific antigen; TST, testosterone.

* Median was significantly different from that at day 0 .

Fig. 2 Effect of cranberry on free prostate-specific antigen:total prostate-specific antigen ratio after 90 and 180;d of consumption. The values are expressed as difference values based on day 90 and day 0 and day 180 and day 0 of study. , Cranberry group; , control group. * P;<;0·05 v. control. The numbers near to the lines correspond with the number of each participant.

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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria in the kidney, ureter, bladder or urethra cause an infection.; This may cause symptoms such as pain, burning or difficulty urinating, frequent urination, an urgent need to go to the bathroom, blood in the urine, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, lower back pain, or fever.; A UTI is diagnosed by a urine test and typically treated using an antibiotic. The length of treatment can vary from three days to a longer course of medication, depending on the severity of the infection.

Cranberries And Blood Pressure

Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture in Maryland report that cranberry juice can lower blood pressure in healthy adults when they drink it every day. Given that about;75 million American adults have high blood pressure or roughly one-third of that populationthis discovery about cranberries can be helpful for heart health in many individuals.

In the study, 56 healthy volunteers drank two either 8-ounce glasses of cranberry juice or a matched placebo daily for eight weeks. The study was highly controlled, as all the participants had their meals provided for them throughout the entire study so body weight could be managed.

Although the reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure declined by an average of only 3 mmHg in the study, the authors rated the diastolic drop as significant when compared with placebo. Thats because the diastolic number is less than the systolic, and so a 3 mmHg reduction is more meaningful.

According to , ;an author of the study, If are trying to reduce blood pressure through diet, low-calorie cranberry juice would be something that would be good and healthful to include in that diet, especially if you choose a low-calorie juice over a less healthful beverage.

This is not the only study to find a heart-related benefit for cranberries.

Recommended Reading: What Happens To The Prostate Later In Life

Pomegranate And Cardiovascular Health

Pomegranates also might have a positive effect on cardiovascular disease, according to Harvard University. Drinking the juice of this curious-looking fruit can prevent oxidative damage on bad cholesterol. This type of cholesterol, when oxidized, contributes to the development of stroke. Drinking pomegranate juice also has been shown to slow the progression of plaque in mice with atherosclerosis, a condition where the arteries are hardened due to a buildup of cholesterol, fat and other substances. More research is needed to confirm the heart-health benefits of pomegranates, but these results are hopeful.

How Much Cranberry Juice Should I Drink Daily

Cranberry juice helps prevent urinary tract infections by obstructing bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall. You can get this medical benefit and gain vitamin C from pure cranberry juice, in addition to the sweeter tasting cranberry juice mixed drink.

Despite the fact that a suggested day-to-day intake has actually not been developed, you can use dose standards, day-to-day calorie objectives and drink suggestions to determine how much cranberry juice to consume.

Cranberry juice has several advantages for your body, but excessive can counteract these useful results.

You can buy 100 percent cranberry juice or cranberry juice mixed drink, which typically includes less than 33 percent real fruit juice, indicating it might not have the same benefits as 100 percent juice.

Take pleasure in a glass of 100 percent cranberry juice here and there, but do not overdo it by taking in more than the advised servings.

Read Also: Will Bacterial Prostatitis Go Away

Pomegranate Juice Vs Cranberry Juice

Both pomegranate and cranberry are among the healthiest fruits in the world. Pomegranate is known for having rich antioxidants, whereas cranberry is famous for its high vitamin C and benefits in treating urinary tract infection. So, which juice is actually better? See the comparisons between pomegranate juice vs cranberry juice below!

Continue reading below to learn more about: The nutritional values of pomegranate juice and cranberry juice, The health benefits of pomegranate juice vs cranberry juice, and Which juice that is generally more recommended for you.

NutritionBoth pomegranate and cranberry are among the healthiest fruits with very rich nutrients and antioxidants. They both have relatively sugar levels and calories, so they are unlikely to cause weight gain or obesity. But keep in mind that you should consume fruit juice in moderation; fruits naturally contain sugars, so excessive consumption also increases your sugar intake. See also: Orange Juice vs Apple Juice.

Pomegranate juice is generally better than cranberry juice in terms of nutrition. This is because pomegranate juice contains the highest levels of antioxidants, while having similar vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and folate.

Pomegranate Juice vs Cranberry Juice