Supports Urinary and Immune System Health*
PRODUCT ALSO KNOWN AS
Vaccinium macrocarpon
PRODUCT DISCUSSION
Cranberry has been traditionally used for hundreds of years to support urinary
tract health.* The pro-anthocyanidins found in Cranberry fruit help promote a
free bladder wall surface to support healthy urinary function. Each Cranberry+
Triple Strength softgel provides 420 mg Cranberry Concentrate, equivalent to
5,040 mg fresh Cranberries. Cranberry+ Triple Strength also contains Vitamin C
to support immune system health.*
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a relative of the Bilberry and Blueberry
family of fruits and has been traditionally used in Europe to promote urinary
tract health. German researchers began investigating the connection between the
European variety of Cranberry and urinary tract health in the 1840s. They
discovered that the urine of people who consumed Cranberries contained a
substance known as hippuric acid. U.S. researchers later speculated that this
substance might acidify urine, providing a potential mechanism of action. By the
1960s, however, investigators found that Cranberry's effects on urine pH were
transient, leading them to delineate an alternative mechanism of action.*
The urine of certain individuals contains a natural substance known as Tamms-Horfall glycoprotein, a molecule that is associated with a healthy urinary tract. This glycoprotein has the ability to compete with mucosal surfaces for the attachment of certain cells, thus promoting a free bladder surface. Scientific research has shown that Cranberry displays a similar activity. Sobota conducted a study on mice and humans given Cranberry juice in diet and 15 oz. per day, respectively, or water serving as a control. Following ingestion of one of these samples, the urine from those consuming the Cranberry preparations significantly promoted the isolation of uroepithelial cells from competing cells. Pre-incubation with the competing cells, but not the epithelial cells, with Cranberry juice, strongly promoted isolation in attachment assays. In addition, when epithelial cells were pre-attached to competing cells, Cranberry juice promoted the rapid release of cells, showing that a constituent of Cranberry juice has an affinity for a component of the competing cells.*
Cranberries contain a number of components that may have a positive effect on urinary tract health. While the presence of benzoic acid was initially believed to provide the most support, the flavonoid components known as pro-anthocyanidins (condensed tannins) have been shown to be the major factor, followed by flavonols and benzoic acid.*
Cranberry Fruit Extract also contains 100 mg Vitamin C in each softgel. For immune system support, Vitamin C has been shown to promote the response of lymphocytes to cytokines.* In addition, Vitamin C enhances the phagocytic functions of polymorphonuclear (PMN) neutrophils and supports the adherence of these cells to the vascular endothelium.*
INDICATIONS
Designed to promote urinary tract health, PhysioLogics' Cranberry Fruit Extract
softgels provide 420 mg Cranberry Concentrate, equivalent to 5,040 mg fresh
Cranberries. Clients should drink adequate amounts of water to further support
urinary tract health.*
HOW CLIENTS MAY BENEFIT*
- Cranberry helps support/promote urinary tract health.*
- Cranberries contain the nutritional benefit of proanthocyanidins.*
- Cranberry Concentrate also contains vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin that plays a role in supporting immune function.*
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
- Walker et al. conducted a placebo-controlled, doubleblind study to investigate the effects of Cranberry on urinary tract health. Nineteen women were asked to consume two 400 mg capsules of Cranberry extract or placebo daily for 3 months, followed with opposite supplementation for an additional 3 months. Nine women were lost from the study due to pregnancy. The Cranberry extract was significantly associated with promotion of urinary tract health compared to placebo.
- Stothers evaluated the effects of Cranberry supplements versus Cranberry juice in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of one year's duration. One hundred fifty women between the ages of 21 through 72 years were randomized to one of three supplementation groups: placebo juice + placebo tablets, placebo juice + Cranberry tablets, or Cranberry juice + placebo tablets. Tablets were taken 400 mg, twice daily, juice 250 ml three times daily. While both Cranberry juice and Cranberry tablets significantly promoted urinary tract health compared to placebo, the investigator determined that Cranberry tablets were much more cost effective, The annual cost of Cranberry juice and Cranberry tablets being $1,400 and $624, respectively.
SUMMARY
Cranberry+ Triple Strength from PhysioLogics provides the nutritional benefit of
pro-anthocyanidins.* These molecules compete with the mucosal surfaces for
attachment by other cells, helping to promote an uninhibited bladder wall.*
Cranberry+ Triple Strength can be used as part of your diet to promote a healthy
urinary tract.*
SUGGESTED DOSAGE
For adults take one (1) softgel two times daily, preferably with a meal or
follow the advice of your health care professional. As a reminder, discuss the
supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.
REFERENCES
American Botanical Council. Vaccinium macrocarpon. Cranberry Fruit. American
Botanical Council. 1997. Austin, TX. 17.
Avorn, J., et al. Reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria after ingestion of cranberry juice. JAMA. 1994. 271(10); Mar 9: 751-754.
Barney, D. P. The Cranberry cure. Herbs for Health.1996. Nov/Dec: 45-47.
Gibson, L., et al. Effectiveness of cranberry juice in preventing urinary tract infections in long-term care facility patients. J Naturopathic Med. 1991. 2 (1):45-47.
Habash, M.B., et al. The effect of water, ascorbic acid, and cranberry derived supplementation on human urine and uropathogen adhesion to silicone rubber. Can J Microbio. 1999. 45(8); Aug: 691-694.
Henig, Y.S., et al. Cranberry juice and urinary-tract health: science supports folklore. Nutr. 2000. 16(7/8); Jul- Aug: 684-687.
Lininger, S., et al. Cranberry. Natural Pharmacy. Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA. 1998. 249-250.
Marwan, A.G., et al. Microbial Inhibitors of Cranberries. J Food Sci. 1986. 51: 1009-1013.
Ofek, I., et al. Anti-Escherichia coli adhesion activity of cranberry and blueberry juices. N Engl J Med. 1991. 324:1599.
Siciliano, Arthur A. Cranberry. Herbal Gram. 51-54, 1995.
Sobota, A.E. Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: potential use for the treatment of urinary tract infections. J Urology. 1984. 131; May: 1013-1016.
Sothers, L. A randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness and cost effectiveness of naturopathic cranberry products as prophylaxis against urinary tract infection in women. Can J Urol. 2002. 9(3):1558-62
Walker, E.B., et al. Cranberry concentrate: UTI prophylaxis. J Farm Pract. 1997. 45(2); Aug: 167-168.
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