Happy New Year Beauties !!

Come winters and our days start revolving around food. Which is not a bad thing, after all, our bodies need that nourishment and comfort to survive the chill and the menaces it brings along. Cold, cough, flu are few of the most common winter spoilers. And while our special winter diets take care to address these cold weather issues, some of the more serious ones such as heart disease and infections often get unnoticed and unaddressed.

Link between cold weather and infections

With the decrease in temperatures and rise in the cold winds, the air becomes drier and drier, resulting in our bodies getting less moisture than they do in warmer months, thereby leading to dryness and dehydration – the two main culprits behind most serious health conditions like heart disease, lung infection & urinary tract infection affecting people in winter months.

A common one among these is Urinary Tract Infection, which affects most people especially women in colder months. Another reason behind the rise in incidence of UTIs in winter months is – we tend we tend to drink less water in colder months than we do in hotter or warmer months.

What is a urinary tract infection?

In simple words, a urinary tract infection or a UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract that includes the urinary bladder, kidneys and the ureters of urethra. While most UTIs are caused by bacteria, some are caused by fungi and in rare cases by viruses.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection:

Some of the common symptoms of UTI include:

• persistent urge to urinate
• burning sensation while urinating
• strong smelling urine
• fatigue
• pelvic pain
• cloudy urine
• fever
• chills

How to treat or prevent UTI?

If you experience any of the two or more symptoms mentioned above, it is likely you are suffering from a UTI and for which, you must consult your doctor. While, a doctor is most likely to conduct a routine urine examination and prescribe you with some antibiotics and other drugs, the best way to treat a UTI is to prevent it in the first place!

Moreover, in chronic UTI cases or women prone to urinary tract infections, medicines or antibiotics at best provide only a temporary relief. For long term relief, lifestyle changes such as wearing cotton underwear, not holding the urge to urinate, drinking lots of water, eating a healthy diet and drinking cranberry juice may help reduce or eliminate the occurrence of bladder infections.

Cranberry pills to prevent and treat UTI in women

Studies after studies have found that drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements can avert UTIs in women, especially those who are at risk for these infections. As per research, cranberries contain an ingredient called A-type proanthocyanidin (PAC) that makes it harder for bacteria to stick to the bladder. So while, PAC can’t stop bacteria from growing, it indeed prevents it from infecting your blood stream and thus causing harm.

Cranberry juice vs cranberry supplements

While drinking cranberry juice may help flush out your system, it also adds excess sugar to your system, no wonder, why most experts believe cranberry extract supplements a better pick over cranberry juice. Also, since most commercial cranberry juices in the market are loaded with sugar and lack purity, they are of little help, if any in fighting stubborn infections.

So if you want results, go for the pills or make sure you buy the pure cranberry juice or a good quality supplement in the market at the health food store. Now with a dearth of cranberry extract supplements to choose from, finding the best cranberry supplement that is also budget friendly can be tough. On a personal level, I prefer Zenith Nutrition D-Mannose & Cranberry pills for the reason that it is not only reasonably priced but also contain a combination of two potent ingredients proven to support the health of your urinary tract.

Zenith Nutrition Cranberry and D-Mannose Extract Supplement Facts

Zenith Nutrition D-Mannose & Cranberry contains both D-Mannose and Proanthocyanidin (PAC) (the main active constituent from Cranberry) that possess properties to promote & maintain a healthy, clean waste stream. This product features a proprietary blend of whole Cranberry fruit with a unique PAC profile that has clinically demonstrated its ability to help maintain a healthy UT when used regularly.

What is D-Mannose?

D-Mannose is a naturally-occurring monosaccharide that promotes normal function of the urinary tract by inhibiting certain types of bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.

What is PAC?

PAC is a short form for A-Type Proanthocyanidins, unique phenolic compounds present in cranberries. PACs possess an anti-adherence factor that prevents the bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract by creating a slippery coating.

Benefits of taking Zenith Nutrition Cranberry and D-Mannose Extract Supplement

• Maintains healthy urinary tract infections
• Prevents and treats urinary tract infections naturally
• Provides antioxidant support
• Good for overall immune health and wellbeing

How to use:

As a dietary supplement take two capsules daily or as directed by your physician.

Price: INR 900 for 60 Veg capsules

Side effects/warning:

As a natural dietary supplement and being free from any chemicals, sugar, gluten, dairy or other animal product, Zenith Nutrition cranberry and d-mannose supplement is safe to take and free from any side effects.

However, pregnant or lactating women, diabetics, hypoglycaemic and people with known medical conditions and/or taking drugs, should consult with a licensed physician and/or pharmacist to taking dietary supplements.

Disclaimer: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult with your professional healthcare provider before changing any medication.