Urinary Tract Health

WHAT IS URINARY TRACT HEALTH?

The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. The urinary system is very similar in both females and males, differing only in the length of the urethra. As a whole, the system is tasked with eliminating wastes from the body via urine production, regulating blood volume and blood pressure, controlling levels of electrolytes and metabolites, assisting synthesis of calcitriol (the active form of Vitamin D), and regulating pH homeostasis in the blood. In healthy adults, the urinary system produces between 800 to 2,000 mL of urine, depending on fluid intake and kidney function, which highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy urinary tract function.

Many disorders and problems can compromise urinary tract health including; incontinence (inability to control urine flow), interstitial cystitis, kidney stones, kidney disease (as a result of high blood pressure or diabetes), kidney failure, and of course, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s).

UTI’s are the most frequent clinical bacterial infections in women, with a high incidence of recurrence. Indeed, because the conventional treatment of UTI’s involves antibiotics, the bacteria responsible for such infections tend to become antibiotic-resistant fairly quickly, causing a vicious cycle of re-infection. This is why more and more women have been turning to natural supplements and remedies to treat UTI’s and prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.

BENEFITS of URINARY TRACT DETOX

• Prevents Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s)
• Promotes Optimal Urinary System Function
• Provides a Diuretic Effect
• Relieves Urinary Incontinence, Frequency, Urgency, and Pain
• Supports Normal Kidney Filtration Functions
  
  

WHO NEEDS URINARY TRACT SUPPORT SUPPLEMENTS?

Your naturopath may recommend urinary health support supplements if you suffer from

Interstitial Cystitis: a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain, and pelvic pain.

Kidney Stones: hard deposits made from minerals and salts that form inside kidneys as a result of poor diet, excess body weight, pre-existing medical conditions, and certain medications.

Urinary Incontinence: usually caused by problems with the muscles and nerves in the bladder as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause (hormonal shifts), as well as obesity

Kidney Disease or Kidney Failure: which entail a gradual loss of kidney function. 

UTI’s: most notably, recurrent UTI’s.

SUPPLEMENTS THAT SUPPORT URINARY TRACT HEALTH- POTENCIES, FORMS & FORMATS

Many natural supplements exist that support urinary tract health, featuring a range of different ingredients. Some of the most powerful and studied herbs and supplements include: Blueberry Concentrate, Chanca Piedra, Clove Oil, Cranberry Extract, Dandelion Root, Garlic, Goldenrod, Juniper Berry, Myrrh Oil, Oregano Oil, Probiotics, Uva Ursi, Vitamin C, and others.

Urinary tract support supplements can be found in capsules, liquids, powders, as well as loose leaf teas and sachets.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON URINARY TRACT HEALTH

Recurring bladder infections can reach the upper urinary tract, including the kidneys, which can result in pyelonephritis, a more serious infection that requires prompt medical attention. If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as pain or burning on urination, increased urinary frequency, cloudy, foul-smelling, or dark urine, and intense pain in your lower back, consult your health care practitioner right away.