Dual-Action Urinary Tract Defense

Pain and burning during urination, persistent need to urinate, and urinary urgency/frequency are recognized signs of urinary tract infections (UTIs).^1,2

Globally, about 400 million UTIs are diagnosed each year, the majority in women.³ About 25% of women deal with recurrent UTIs.⁴

These infections are commonly treated with antibiotics, but repeated use is contributing to increasing drug resistance.⁵

Researchers have identified two non-drug approaches that may support urinary tract health.

Compounds found in cranberries are thought to prevent infection-causing E. coli from adhering to urinary tract cells.^6,7 Cranberry has been shown to reduce the occurrence of UTIs in women with recurrent infections.⁸

In a randomized trial of women with recurrent UTIs, cranberry powder reduced the relative risk of E. coli–related UTIs by 64% and of all recurrent UTIs by 58% compared with placebo.⁹

To complement cranberries, scientists developed a targeted blend of bacteriophages that, in preclinical studies, were found to seek out and selectively target E. coli strains responsible for UTIs.¹⁰

Researchers have now combined these bacteriophages with a cranberry powder encapsulated to maintain potency.

This oral formula is designed to support urinary tract health through complementary mechanisms.

Understanding Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect any part of the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, and the tubes that connect them.¹¹

Common symptoms include a painful burning during urination and a frequent, strong need to use the bathroom.^1,2

UTIs are much more common in women because of anatomical differences.⁸ Women are also more likely to experience recurrent UTIs, defined as at least two infections within six months or three within 12 months.⁴

Menopause is an established risk factor for recurrent UTIs, largely because declining estrogen alters the urogenital epithelium and microbiome.^4,12

Roughly 80% of urinary tract infections are caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli).¹³ Many different strains can cause UTIs.¹⁴

UTIs are becoming harder to treat as the bacteria that cause them are developing resistance to antibiotics.¹⁵ Antibiotics can also cause side effects, including microbiome imbalances and gastrointestinal issues.¹⁶

As a result, interest in non-drug strategies for managing UTIs is growing.^4,17

Cranberries Prevent UTIs

Cranberries have long been used to support urinary tract health.^8,9

These berries are rich in compounds that help prevent E. coli from adhering to urinary tract cells,^8,17 potentially reducing E. coli's ability to colonize the urinary tract.^6,18

This anti-adhesion effect has been demonstrated in the laboratory. In one in vitro study, pretreating human urinary tract cells with cranberry powder reduced E. coli binding by 90% compared with untreated cells.¹⁸ In another, cranberry juice reduced the ability of E. coli to bind to human kidney epithelial cells.⁶

These laboratory findings are supported by clinical trials: A rigorous Cochrane Review of clinical trials in women with recurrent urinary tract infections found that cranberry products lowered the risk for future infections by an average of 26%.⁸

In an earlier randomized trial, 176 women with a recent history of UTIs took either 500 mg of whole-fruit cranberry powder or a placebo daily for six months. Over the course of the trial, the cranberry group had a 58% lower risk of recurrent UTIs and a 64% lower risk of E. coli-related UTIs than the placebo group.⁹

Bacteriophages: A Cutting-Edge Solution

Cranberry's ability to stop E. coli from sticking to the urinary tract would be complemented by an agent that helps curb E. coli growth. That's where bacteriophages come in.

A bacteriophage, or phage for short, is a naturally occurring virus that infects specific bacteria and can destroy them, while generally not targeting human cells.^19,20

Phage therapy emerged in the early 1900s as a way to combat bacterial infections, but its use declined when antibiotics became widespread.^20,21 Now, phages are receiving renewed interest as antibiotic resistance grows.^20,22-24

In addition, phages are highly prevalent in the environment and in our bodies.¹¹ We ingest them every day in food and water.²⁵

Targeting Infection-Causing Bacteria

Phage therapy is highly specific. This means that bacteriophages can be selected to target certain bacteria, including specific strains of E. coli.²⁰

Scientists identified 27 E. coli strains reported to be associated with urinary tract infections. Next, they developed a blend of three phages (ECRBP-203-2, ECTF-195-1, and ECML-1) in preclinical testing to target all 27 strains of E. coli evaluated.¹⁰

The scientists then compared the ability of the phage blend and cranberry powder to suppress the growth of three E. coli strains commonly associated with UTIs.²⁶

In simulated small intestine and urine environments, the phages significantly suppressed E. coli growth, while cranberry did not.

In other words, cranberries have been shown to reduce E. coli adhesion to urinary tract cells, but only the selected phages suppressed E. coli growth.²⁶

In preclinical studies, E. coli–targeting phage cocktails reduced E. coli while sparing beneficial microbes commonly found in the gut.^27,28 By contrast, antibiotics wiped out both harmful and beneficial gut bacteria.^29,30

Pairing this phage blend with encapsulated whole-fruit cranberry powder is intended to combine two complementary mechanisms: cranberry's anti-adhesion effect and the phages' ability to target bacteria directly, which may support urinary tract health.

Summary

Painful and irritating urinary tract infections are common in women. Antibiotic resistance is making them harder to treat, causing many people to seek other solutions.

Whole-fruit cranberry powder has been shown to help prevent infection-causing bacteria from adhering to urinary tract cells and has been associated with reduced UTI recurrence in clinical trials.

A scientifically selected blend of bacteriophages has been shown in preclinical studies to target E. coli strains associated with urinary tract infections.

An oral combination of cranberry powder and phages is designed to provide complementary support for urinary tract health.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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