D-Mannose: A Natural Alternative for UTIs

​Before I even get started, I need to apologize for my lack of posts all summer. Partially, I was out enjoying the weather because I LIVE for hot weather. But I have to admit, I also wasn’t sure what to write about so instead of writing just for the sake of it, I thought I’d wait until I had true motivation again. I hope you’ve enjoyed your summer as much as I’ve enjoyed mine!
This week, I’m going to get a little bit personal and if you’re squirmy, I apologize! I think it’s very important to mention that anything I write in this blog post is not meant to bypass the advice of a certified doctor or naturopath, it is strictly my own experience.

Make sure you consult with your doctor before trying this if it’s something you’re considering.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common ailment that most of us will have to deal with at least once in our lives. They are SO uncomfortable, I can’t think of many things that top them in terms of “I want this gone now!” Naturally, we run to our doctors for fast-acting antibiotics to get that relief, however those same antibiotics that are helping us now may cause problems in the future.
Overuse of antibiotics has become a hot topic for discussion as we are starting to see superbugs and bacteria that are becoming resistant, meaning the medicines we have been using to cure illnesses aren’t working anymore. When this happens, you need to take even stronger medication which is hard on your body and if you’re anything like me, they make you feel nauseous.
Along with resistance, antibiotics don’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria in your body, they kill it all. For some individuals, this can lead to internal problems with your bacterial flora, causing various ailments such as yeast infections. It can get really frustrating trying to treat one problem only to cause another!
I recently discovered a natural alternative to antibiotics used to treat UTIs called D-Mannose. D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits such as apples, blueberries, and cranberries. This sugar is the reason that so many people recommend drinking cranberry juice to prevent/aid with UTIs. D-Mannose is interesting in that our bodies don’t absorb it so basically what it does is it latches on to the bacteria and causes them to stick together instead of sticking to the walls of your urinary tract and causing an infection. From there, the bacteria is easily flushed out Because it’s not metabolized by our bodies, this sugar is safe for diabetics and anyone else watching their sugar levels. One thing to note is that d-mannose only works if your UTI is caused by the E. coli bacteria.
I am all about trying alternatives to regular medicine as I’m one of those people who seems to get more problems than solutions from taking antibiotics. I gave the d-mannose a shot and I am pleased to report that it really does work! It comes in powder form which looks just like icing sugar and also tastes like sugar. It’s probably the first medicine that you’ll enjoy taking!
The recommendation is to take 500 mg (1/4 teaspoon) in a glass of water or unsweetened cranberry juice every 2-3 hours for 5 days. I took the 1/4 tsp in a glass of water about 3-4 times a day and I felt better after about a day and a half but continued taking it for the 5 days to ensure it really did its job. I should also mention that I started taking the powder as soon as I felt the symptoms, I’m not sure how effective it is if you are already in severe discomfort. Again, chat with your doctor.
I thought I’d share this little “experiment” with you in hopes that it might help some people who are looking for a more natural solution to a common problem. You can find the powder at various health food stores including Vita Health and Nutrition House.
Have you tried d-mannose before? Was your experience as positive as mine?
What are some topics that you’d like to read about on the blog? I’d love to hear from you!
In the meantime, enjoy what’s left of the summer and have a lovely week!
Love, Ash XO