Cranberry juice is commonly known to help decrease the frequency and / or severity of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other urinary disorders, including kidney stones. One of the main causes of UTIs is the presence of the bacteria. E. coli It attaches itself to the cell walls of the bladder and urinary tract, causing an infection. Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls, reducing the likelihood of an infection occurring. It also increases the pH of the urine; The bacteria that cause UTIs have disorders that grow in an acidic environment.

E. coli it is often in the news for being the contaminant in recalled foods, or for being in lakes or other bodies of water where it is suggested that people avoid swimming. E. coli it is a natural “component” in human-mammalian feces / feces as well. E. coli helps food break down to release its nutrients for use. It also produces vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting ability. Without E. coli in the intestines, a person would bleed out because vitamin K is needed to produce blood clotting factors.

E. coli bacteria become a problem when there is too much of it or if they are found outside the intestines and colon. Therefore, ingested food that is contaminated with E. coli causes disease. Often the E. coli that enters the urinary tract comes from the stool of the person who develops the UTI.

Apart from being effective against E. coliThis extraordinary juice has also been found to inhibit the growth of mold and yeast, which can also cause bladder infections.

Cranberry juice has also been shown to be a powerful antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. Due to its high content of minerals and vitamins, it has been used repeatedly to help with asthma and other respiratory ailments, cancer, various inflammatory conditions, and even to protect the skin against damage from UV (ultraviolet) radiation and the sun (Cohen , 2011).

But recently (Cohen, 2011), cranberry juice was found to reduce the amount of nutrient depletion caused by acid-reducing medications, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors:

> cimetidine (Tagamet®)

> esomeprazole (Nexium®)

> famotidine (Pepcid®)

> lansoprazole (Prevacid®)

> nizatidine (Axid®)

> omeprazole (Prilosec®)

> pantoprazole (Protonix®)

> rabeprazole (Aciphex®)

> ranitidine (Zantac®)

H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, heartburn, and virtually any other symptoms that affect the stomach, including those sickness. It has also been prescribed for heart palpitations when no heart disease has been found.

In 2010, the drug esomeprazole (Nexium®) was the # 2 prescription drug in the United States (and # 1 in revenue for all prescription drugs in the same year). 25,872 prescriptions were issued for this drug for GERD alone. The cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor® was number one with 37,523 prescriptions (Drugs, 2011).

Nutrient depletion from medications

All medical drugs deplete vital nutrients in the body, although no drug depletes them all. Depletion occurs either because the drug binds to the nutrient and then both are removed together, or because of a secondary action: the drug interferes with the absorption of the nutrient, so the body’s stores are not revitalized, causing a deficiency. as nutrients are depleted. used without being replaced in the diet or through supplements.

Since H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors work in the stomach to reduce acid production, most nutrients in the diet are not processed as they should, so they are not absorbed by the body for use.

H2 blockers and PPIs interfere with the absorption of most water-soluble vitamins (the B vitamins, vitamin C, etc.), as well as minerals that require a high degree of stomach acid to convert them into a usable form ( as potassium, magnesium and calcium).

How can cranberry juice help prevent nutrient depletion from these medications?

Cranberry is an acidic substance. Drinking cranberry juice with meals helps you absorb nutrients that would otherwise be blocked by medications. Blueberries are also a rich source of many nutrients, especially those that are blocked by H2 blockers and PPIs, as well as quercetin, which helps decrease inflammation; A common side effect of acid-blocking drugs is inflammation of the stomach lining.

Safety note

The blueberry is in the Ericaceae botanical family. If you have an allergy or sensitivity to any other member of this family, you may also have a reaction to cranberry. Other medicinal members are bearberry, blueberry, blueberry, mayflower, uva ursi, and wintergreen.

Do not eat or drink blueberries if you are sensitive to any member of this family.

References

Cohen, Suzy (2011). Drug Muggers – Which Medications Are Robbing Your Body Of Essential Nutrients And Natural Ways To Restore Them. Emmaus, PA: Rodale.

Drugs.com (2011). “Pharmaceutical Sales 2010” at http://www.drugs.com/top200_units.html.

Best wishes,

Dra. Ronda Behnke Theys ND, CHom

Homeopathic Centers of America

Disclaimer: The information provided by Dr. Ronda Behnke Theys is for educational purposes only. It is important that you do not make health decisions or stop any medications without first consulting your personal physician or healthcare provider.

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