antioxidant rich foods

My previous post was on home remedy for urinary tract infection (UTI). This post will cover foods to help prevent UTI.  As we know that eating a variety of foods to ensure our body get the necessary nutrients for maintenance and repair. There are certain foods we can eat more of to give further protection from some illness. The following dietary suggestions can help in prevention of UTI or reduce discomfort symptoms.

• Drinking 100% unsweetened cranberry juice regularly can help lower the risk of UTI.  Eating cranberries, blueberries and drinking their juices provide beneficial substances that inhibit the bacteria from sticking to bladder cell wall.

• Eat more antioxidant rich foods such as all types of berries, apples, cherries, plums, bell peppers, tomatoes, and squash. These foods give us protection against a host of other potential illnesses as well.

• Prevent constipation by eating high fiber foods, such as cooked dried beans of all types, oats and oat bran, root vegetables – potatoes, yams, and psyllium seed. There are many over the counter fiber supplements available but getting fiber from foods includes beneficial nutrients.  Start slowly if you not in the habit of eating a high fiber diet.  Be sure to get plenty fluids along with your fiber.

• Drink a lot of fluids, such as water, herbal teas and unsweetened cranberry juice to stay well hydrated.  Avoid sweetened drinks, sugar feed bacteria and decrease your immune system.

• If you have food allergies, try to avoid or limit your exposure to these foods including processed foods with a lot of preservatives and additives. Eat less refined foods and more whole foods.

• Include a probiotic supplement which contains Lactobacillus acidophilus daily has been shown to help. A healthy gastrointestinal tract can improve digestion and absorption of nutrients necessary for a healthy immune system. Eating plain yogurt can help to prevent development of  yeast infection if you are taking antibiotics for UTI.

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It’s 10 pm and you are having those dreaded symptoms of lower back pain, frequent and/or painful urination and perhaps a low grade fever.  Most women suffer from urinary track Infection (UT) at some point in their lives. Some women suffer from many reoccurrences of UTI.
Try these remedies until you can get to your doctor for
examination, lab testing and/ or antibiotics treatment.
These are my own home remedies for common UTI.

First and most important step is to flush with plenty of fluids.

• Water and 100% cranberry juice are best. If you don’t have no sugar added plain yogurt, and 100% cranberry juice, send a family member out for them. Start eating and drinking right away.
  

  Cranberry Extracts

• UTI cranberry juice connection – Cranberry juice has beneficial substances that can help to prevent bacteria from sticking to the wall of urinary tract.  You don’t want the added sugar because Sugar can be a food source for the bacteria and suppress your immune system.  Cranberry juice is best but if you cannot tolerate cranberry juice there are cranberry extracts you can get at the local pharmacy or a 24 hour Wal-Mart.  Cranberry extract alone or with addition of probiotics are available. You still need to flush your system with lots of water in addition to taking the extracts.

• Urinary infection probiotics – Fermented milk products such as yogurt has Lactobacillus acidophilus can replace the bad bacteria in your intestinal tract. Probiotics can also create unfavorable environment for harmful microorganisms to survive.

Secondly is to boost your fighting chance with antioxidant Vitamin C. You can eat plenty of vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits, and leafy greens. You probably won’t feel much like eating at the moment. You can take 1000 mg of Vitamin C right away.  You will have a lot of urine output with all the water you are drinking. Vitamin C is water soluble and does not store in your body.  However, if you go over 2,000 mg/day can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea. Discuss any long term supplementation with your doctor.

My UTI home remedy - Flushing with plenty of water and/or 100% cranberry juice, boosting my system with probiotics and vitamin C usually will decrease discomfort and lead to my recovery within 2-6 hours. You may experience different results. Do consult with your doctor with your problem persist the next day and/or you have UTI recurrence often. The underlying causes for your UTI or other possible medical issues need to be addressed and treated.

This OTC product can give temporary relief of urinary pain, burning, urgency. This does make your urine very orange so watch your white clothing.

My next post will be on foods to eat for UTI prevention.

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