Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Hi Terry, “My daughter and I seem to be constantly dealing with urinary tract infections. I tried what the doctor suggested and I also tried a few things that I picked up in my local health food store. Nothing seems to work. Do you have any suggestions?” — Cheri V., Plano, TX A. Dear Cheri, I’m sorry to hear that you and your daughter are struggling with recurring urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections, otherwise known as “UTIs”, afflict women and men alike, though because of anatomical differences, women have far more UTIs than men. Almost 20 percent of women who have a urinary tract infection will likely have another, and 30 percent of that group will have yet another UTI. In fact, of that 30 percent, 80 percent of women will have recurrences. This leads to a frustrating, seemingly never-ending cycle, as you are only too well aware of. Always seek the advice of your physician to make sure you have a urinary tract infection and not some other problem. Urinary tract infections should not be taken lightly; they can cause major complications and should always be treated. However, I do believe that a combination of clinically tested ingredients, such as hibiscus and cranberry, can be extremely effective in treating and preventing urinary tract infections, and you may want to talk to your physician about using this blend. Cranberry is recognized as being an excellent botanical to use in the prevention and treatment of UTIs. It is rich in healthful compounds, like proanthocyanidins, that prevent E. coli (and other harmful bacteria) from adhering to the lining of the bladder and urethra. This anti-adherence property is what really gives cranberry extract its punch. While cranberry probably does its best work as a preventive herbal, combining it with hibiscus further enhances its anti-adherence power for treatment. Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is native to India and Malaysia and has bright yellow flowers and bud-shaped red fruits that are used as dessert fillings and teas. High in vitamin C, hibiscus has been prescribed for colds and for healthy arteries. Considerable evidence is now indicating that the components of this remarkable ingredient can also prevent urinary tract infections. In one study, which included 90 women (18 to 55 years old) who experienced more than eight episodes of UTIs per year, hibiscus cut the incidence of urinary tract infections by 77%! I would recommend taking 700 mg of the hibiscus and cranberry blend daily to increase your odds of eliminating and preventing urinary tract infections. This formulation can also be used on an ongoing basis as a preventative and general maintenance of healthy urinary tract function. Healthy Regards! Terry . . . Naturally