Treat a UTI Naturally

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the United States. Are antibiotics always required to treat them?

There are ways to treat a UTI naturally that don’t require a prescription, are inexpensive, and drug-free.

D-Mannose

The most effective supplement for both treatment and prevention of UTI is D-mannose, a naturally occurring sugar that is found in a number of fruits including apples, blueberries, and cranberries. D-mannose attaches to E. coli bacteria, causing them to stick to each other and preventing them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. The bacteria can then easily be eliminated from the body during urination.

D-mannose can also help prevent a UTI from developing in the first place, and could be helpful for those who are prone to chronic UTIs.

The typical dose of D-mannose for UTI treatment is 500 mg, in capsule or powder form, taken with or in a glass of water or juice every two to three hours for five days. Symptom relief can be seen as quickly as the following day, and most symptoms are generally resolved after 48 hours of treatment.

Even in large quantities, D-mannose does not cause any adverse effects, and is also safe for children and the elderly.

Although there has not been any peer-reviewed research to support the effectiveness of D-mannose in treating or preventing UTIs, clinical and anecdotal evidence suggests it is highly effective for the majority of acute and chronic infections.

Biofilm Disruptors

A caveat to D-mannose is that it is only effective for UTIs caused by E. coli bacteria. Although 90% of UTIs are caused by this bacteria, the remaining 10% will not benefit from this treatment and could instead benefit from supplements that disrupt biofilms.

Biofilms are an accumulation of microorganisms and their extracellular products that form structured communities and attach to a surface (such as the lining of the urogenital tract). The development of a biofilm can make UTIs hard to treat, since they commonly return shortly after treatment is stopped.

Beneficial supplements that can disrupt, dissolve, and destroy biofilms include:

• InterFase Plus (Klaire Labs)
• Biofilm Defense (Kirkman)
• Lauricidin
• Nattokinase
• Apolactoferrin

For related article on this topic, see:

Cranberries for UTIs