Examples of the problems associated with urinary tract health

1. Menopause Rates of UTIs are higher in postmenopausal women for a few reasons.

For one, the presence of bladder or uterine prolapse can cause incomplete bladder emptying and stasis (reduced or stoppage flow) of urine which in turn promotes the growth of pathogens. Also, the loss of oestrogen after menopause leads to changes in the vaginal flora, especially the loss of lactobacilli, and increases your susceptibility to infection.

2. Sexual activity

UTIs are very common in women aged 18-30 years as it is associated with coitus (the so-called ‘honeymoon cystitis’). In this age group, sexual intercourse is the cause of 75 to 90 percent of bladder infections, with the risk of infection being related to the frequency of sex. The use of spermicides and diaphragms for contraceptive purposes further increases the risk of UTIs as it causes a change in the vaginal flora and eradication of the vaginal lactobacilli.

3. Recent instrumentation of the urinary tract (e.g. catheterisation, cystoscopy, urodynamic studies) The insertion of foreign instruments into the urinary tract promotes the translocation of bacteria colonised around the peri-urethral area into the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract. This increases the risk of developing bacteria (presence of bacteria in the urine) in significant numbers eventually leading to a UTI.

4. Foreign bodies (e.g. catheters, urinary stones) Urinary catheters are the most important risk factors for bacteriuria. Catheters introduce organisms into the bladder and promote colonisation by providing a foreign surface for bacteria to adhere to and by causing irritation of the bladder mucosa.

80 percent of UTIs that occur while in hospitals or healthcare institutions are related to urethral catheterisation, and 5-10 percent are related to manipulation of the genito-urinary tract. Urinary stones similarly irritate the bladder as well as provide a nidus for bacteria to adhere to, thereby increasing the risk of developing a UTI.

5. Neurological disorders, drugs or pelvic organ prolapse
These conditions may cause incomplete emptying of the bladder, thereby promoting stasis of urine which increases the risk of UTI development.

6. Medical conditions (e.g. diabetes) Diabetes leading to glycosuria (sugar in the urine) makes for fertile breeding ground for bacteria. A study showed that 9.4 percent of patients with Type 2 diabetes had a UTI compared to only 5.7 percent of people without diabetes.

7. Poor hygiene or hot and humid conditions can build up bad bacteria growth in the vagina area.

Urinary Tract Infection

This is one of the most common condition in humans. Especially in women, 1 in 5 women aged 20-65 experience a UTI at least once a year. According to the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, 20 per cent of women aged 20 to 65 will experience at least one UTI episode per year, and approximately 50 per cent of women will experience UTI at least once during their life.

Antibiotics are usually enough to get rid of UTI, but doctors are now concerned about the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

In fact, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics, as chronic use is believed to be responsible for the rise of these “superbugs”. With the increase in antibiotic resistance and effects of anitbiotics killing both good and bad bacteria.

The bad news is that the incidence of such infections caused by superbugs is expected to rise, and the worry is that there will not be drugs strong enough to get rid of them.

As a result, many health experts are exploring other remedies to not only treat bacterial infections like UTI, but also prevent them from occurring to begin with. In most cases, UTI may respond well to antibiotics.

While these drugs may work for your UTI for now, the question is, at what point will the bacteria stop responding to such treatments?

This is especially important if your UTI occurs over and over again (and the infection does typically recur in the same people). One study, published in 2012 in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, looked at cases of UTI in the US between 2000 and 2010.

It found that the number of UTIs caused by E-Coli that didn’t respond to the antibiotics, and increased five-fold. In that same period, the number of UTIs resistant to the antibiotic treatment also increased, from 18 per cent to 24 per cent.

Lactocran + Probiotics

Why Lactocran + for urinary tract management?
E-Coli causes 90% of UTI's and LactoCran is targeted at managing E-Coli. Probiotics work in a synergistic triple effect combining clinically researched Maxx-Cran and prebiotics to block the pathogenic effects of many common bad bacteria.

Lactocran + UTI probiotics is a premium probiotic supplement with patented and clinically researched cranberry extract (Maxx-Cran) with 19 probiotic strains and prebiotics. The triple action formulation help to maintain a healthy urinary system,and balanced vaginal flora.

Maxx-Cran - The world's most powerful cranberry extract

Understanding CranMax
Maxx-Cran (The best cranberry extract) *Clinically Researched Maxx-Cran is delivered by a unique, patented delivery system called Exo-shield technology.

Exo-shield technology protects Maxx-Cran as it passes through the digestive system until it reaches the lower gastrointestinal tract where it can be better absorbed. The clinically proven and patented cranberry (Maxx-Cran) promotes cleansing of the urinary tract.

There are numerous clinically studies supporting Maxx-Cran for UTI. Research shows that PACs, particularly A-type PACs, of which cranberries are a rich source, support urinary tract health. Anthocyanins, which are also found in cranberries and are natural anti-oxidants, support overall health.

The Maxx-Cran in LactoCran has 50mg of Proanthocyanidins (PACs), highest PACs in the market. Research has shown with just 36mg of PACs, it can help establish a good and healthy urinary tract system.

Maxx-Cran provides a good source of PACs and anthocyanins. One 500 mg dose of Maxx-Cran (Found in Lactocran +) provides a higher amount of anthocyanins as 7 glasses of cranberry juice cocktail, without all the sugar.

Maxx-Cran is the only cranberry concentrate made using Exo-shield technology designed to protect the anthocyanins and phenols from destruction by gastric acid in the stomach.

Maxx-Cran has more cranberry content than many other supplements on the market..

19 Probiotic Strains to help replenish and manage a good vaginal flora

19 Double microencapsulated probiotic strains (Probably the only Cranberry Probiotic with the most strains) There are 19 specially selected probiotic strains in LactoCran+, each strain is double microencapsulated achieving high stability and optimal delivery to the tract.

Scientific research has found multi-strains working together show greater efficacy than single strain. These strains are clinically researched to repopulate the urinary tract and hence help to keep urinary tract healthy.

The synergistic effect of 19 diverse strains help to manage and support a good vaginal health. The more lactobacilli bacteria, the more good bacteria will dominate the vaginal floral. Hence replacing the bad bacteria and help better manage a good vaginal flora.

Evidence of Probiotic Benefits
The ability of probiotic interventions in the management of urinary tract health has long been considered and is now supported by increasing evidence for a growing number of specific strains.

There is a close correlation between the loss of the normal genital microbiota, particularly Lactobacillus species, and an increased incidence unhealthy urinary health, therefore suggesting that repletion may be beneficial.

LactoCran has 19 probiotic strains, which is probably the only probiotic supplement with the most number of probiotic strains, of which 11 out of 19 strains are Lactobacillus strains, the specially selected Lactobacillus strains are the reason why such a unique combination of so many Lactobacillus strains work synergistically for a specific purpose to help relieve modify the vaginal flora, re-populate with lactobacilli, removing the bad bacteria and helping to improve the vaginal health.

Lactobacilli can prevent the adherence, growth and colonization of uropathogenic bacteria.

It has been shown that healthy microbial populations of Lactobacillus species have a strong inhibitory effect on E. coli. Infections treated using antibiotics reduce drug abuse, leading to drug resistance and render the natural barrier of the urinary system vulnerable to infections.

In their study, Zucotti et al. stated that probiotics could be a good alternative to antibiotic therapy because of their ability to bind to uroepithelial cells and inhibit pathogenic growth, and biosurfactant secretion.

The same investigators have emphasized that oral Lactobacillus therapy can colonize these bacteria in the urinary tract following intestinal colonization.

Probiotic Strains shown to benefit urogenital health.

A recent review in Canada suggested that the mechanisms whereby certain probiotic lactobacilli improve urogenital health include immune modulation, reduction in pathogen ascension from the rectum, and interference with colonisation and survival of pathogens.

A Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus were shown in vitro to inhibit the adherence of E. coli to the GI tract wall by inducing the production of mucin (a sticky substance coating the epithelial cells known to inhibit the adhesion of pathogens). A 2011 in vitro study at Reading University also showed two probiotics strains,

Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum, to have good anti-bacterial effects in inhibiting E. coli growth.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) in 2006 showed an oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus (1 x 109 CFU / 1 billion) and a Lactobacillus reuteri (1 x 109 CFU / 1 billion) was able to recover vaginal counts of Lactobacillus species following antibiotics and infection by 96% compared to 53% in controls.

For further information on clinical studies. - Click Here