When you feel like you have to pee every 10 minutes…
And it burns when you actually do manage to pee…
There’s a good chance you have a urinary tract infection.
And if you’re like most women, it’s not the first – and it won’t be the last.
Women get urinary tract infections (commonly known as “UTIs”) 8 times more than men do. About 60% of women will get at least one UTI in her lifetime… and 27% will get another UTI within just 6 months.
But a proactive approach that includes a trio of urinary health power players can help you avoid the annoying urgency and discomfort UTIs bring. And the sooner you get started, the better.
Quick Answer: Urinary tract infections are very common, especially in women, and recurrences are frequent. Most UTIs (about 80 to 90%) are linked to E. coli, though other bacteria and even Candida can be involved. A proactive approach can help support urinary tract health, and three natural compounds are often used: full-spectrum cranberry, which is rich in PACs that help keep bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract; black cumin seed (Nigella sativa), studied for its antimicrobial activity; and hibiscus, used traditionally for urinary health. If you have UTI symptoms, see a doctor for a urine test, since infections need proper medical care.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of a UTI?
The most common UTI symptoms include a constant urge to urinate, burning when you urinate, passing only small amounts, strong-smelling or cloudy urine, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, and back or kidney pain. If you have these, see a doctor for a urine test.
When you have a UTI, you feel tied to the bathroom. It feels like you have to pee all the time, so you can’t risk being too far away.
This can have a seriously disruptive effect on your life, especially if you’re at work or school. And that’s not the only way a UTI can ruin your day.
The 8 most common symptoms of UTIs – symptoms that will interfere with your life – include:
- A constant urge to urinate
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- Being able to urinate only in very small amounts
- Urine that smells noticeably weird
- Cloudy urine
- Red or pink urine (which means there’s blood in your urine)
- Pelvic pain
- Kidney pain (in the middle of your back)
If you have any of these symptoms, head over to your doctor and get a urine test. If you do have a UTI, your urine will be full of bacteria…
What Causes Most Urinary Tract Infections?
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, and E. coli is behind roughly 80 to 90% of them. Other bacteria like K. pneumoniae can be involved, and fungal infections such as Candida albicans can complicate matters, especially after antibiotic use.
The Cause of 90% of All Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections rank as one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide. They affect 150 million people – most of them women – every year.
The National Kidney Foundation reports that E. coli causes 80 to 90% of all UTIs… and more than 75% of recurrent UTIs.
So, chances are, if you have a UTI, you’re dealing with E. coli. Other bacteria – such as K. pneumonia – can cause UTIs as well, but that’s much less common.
UTIs can also be caused by fungal infections – especially Candida albicans. Frustratingly, those fungal infections are often triggered by antibiotic use. And since antibiotics tend to be the go-to treatment for UTIs… especially recurrent UTIs… Candida can complicate the problem.
Antibiotics can’t treat fungal infections. And the drugs that treat fungal infections do nothing to stop bacteria. That can leave you taking multiple, powerful medications that come with long lists of uncomfortable side effects.
Worse, if you’re struggling through recurrent UTIs, you may be dealing with drug-resistant strains of bacteria. And that can make the medication completely ineffective.
Which 3 Natural Powerhouses Support Urinary Health?
Three natural compounds are commonly used to support urinary tract health: full-spectrum cranberry, black cumin seed (Nigella sativa), and hibiscus. Each works in a different way to help maintain a healthy urinary tract.
If you’ve ever had a UTI, you never want another one. And the best way to avoid UTIs is by proactively protecting your urinary tract.
Since this is a long-haul plan, you’ll want to make sure you use safe, effective natural options. That’s where this trio of botanicals proven to support urinary tract health comes into play.
1… Cranberry
It’s likely that, if you’ve encountered the wonderful world of UTIs, someone – maybe your doctor or friend – suggested drinking cranberry juice. And for good reason…
The juice of the cranberry can work to offer relief from UTIs. However… It does NOT work as well as its full-spectrum extract counterparts. (Full-spectrum simply refers to the whole cranberry, vs just the juice.)
When you’re trying to stop yet another UTI from starting, you want the extra power of the whole cranberry – juice, skin, flesh, and seeds – on your side. That’s especially true for recurring infections with hard-to-manage symptoms.
The full spectrum cranberry offers higher levels of a naturally occurring substance known as proanthocyanidins (PACs). These potent bioactive compounds deliver powerful protection against the bacteria that cause UTIs.
Cranberry PACs stop E. coli and other bacteria from sticking to the cells in your urinary tract. If those infectious bacteria can’t stick, they can’t stick around… Translation: they can’t cause a UTI.
Decades of research prove full-spectrum cranberry’s anti-UTI properties, and that includes gold standard clinical trials.
- A pilot study proved that cranberry extract packed with PACs delivered significant anti-adhesion properties against coli (meaning it stopped the bacteria from sticking).
- A 6-month clinical trial found that taking a daily dose of 500 mg of full-spectrum cranberry extract reduced UTI recurrence by 58% compared to placebo.
- Another clinical trial found that the same cranberry extract reduced infections caused by E. coli by 36% in just 90 days.
You can count on the power of cranberry to help you deal with UTIs, especially those caused by E coli. And when you add in an ancient, natural remedy to the mix, you’ll get another layer of protection…
2… Black cumin seed
Black cumin seed, also known as Nigella sativa, has been used as a staple of traditional medicine since ancient times. It’s been shown to have a wide variety of healing properties, including:
- Antioxidant protection
- Blood sugar management
- Cellular health maintenance
- Antimicrobial attributes
The central force of black cumin seed’s microbe-fighting power comes from a compound called thymoquinone, or TQ.
Research has been picking up on TQ because of its many powerful health-restoring properties, and there are now more than 400 published studies on this amazing compound.
Thanks largely to TQ, black cumin seed extracts have been shown to substantially inhibit E. coli and Candida albicans. That offers a double-layer of protection against two of the most stubborn causes of UTIs.
3… Hibiscus
For generations, traditional practitioners throughout Africa have relied on hibiscus to improve urinary health. Hibiscus has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, both of which discourage UTIs.
With strong antibacterial and antifungal activity, hibiscus been proven effective against E. coli, K. pneumonia, and Candida albicans. Even better, this natural wonder provides broad-spectrum protection without causing negative side effects.
And when it comes to stopping UTIs, hibiscus may be worth its weight in gold – especially for women who suffer from recurrent infections.
A remarkable clinical trial found that hibiscus brought unprecedented relief to women who experienced chronic UTIs – meaning they got more than 8 UTIs every year. Taking just 200 mg of hibiscus daily reduced their UTI recurrence by 77.6% and reduced their urinary discomfort.
| Botanical | How it is used for urinary support | Key compound |
|---|---|---|
| Full-spectrum cranberry | Helps keep E. coli and other bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract | Proanthocyanidins (PACs) |
| Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) | Studied for antimicrobial activity against E. coli and Candida | Thymoquinone (TQ) |
| Hibiscus | Used traditionally for urinary health, with antibacterial and antifungal activity | Plant polyphenols |
Frequently Asked Questions About UTIs and Urinary Health
What causes most UTIs?
Most urinary tract infections are bacterial, and E. coli causes roughly 80 to 90% of them. Other bacteria such as K. pneumoniae can cause UTIs, and fungal infections like Candida albicans can complicate them, especially after antibiotic use.
Why do women get UTIs more often than men?
Women get UTIs about 8 times more often than men. Around 60% of women will have at least one in their lifetime, and many will have a repeat infection within months.
How does cranberry help with urinary health?
Full-spectrum cranberry is rich in proanthocyanidins (PACs), compounds that help keep E. coli and other bacteria from sticking to the cells of the urinary tract. Whole-cranberry extract offers more PACs than juice alone.
What are black cumin seed and hibiscus used for?
Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) is studied for antimicrobial activity, largely from its compound thymoquinone, and hibiscus has been used traditionally for urinary health and has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Should I see a doctor for a UTI?
Yes. If you have UTI symptoms, see your doctor for a urine test. Infections require proper medical care, and recurrent UTIs may involve drug-resistant bacteria, so professional guidance is important.
COMING SOON! Support Your Urinary Tract Health Naturally with UT123
Keep your urinary tract healthy with Just Thrive’s UT123. This fast-acting formula contains three natural powerhouses shown to maintain urinary tract health.
In each 2-capsule serving of UT123 you’ll find:
- 500 mg of full-spectrum cranberry extract
- 200 mg of hibiscus extract
- 100 mg of black cumin seed extract
Keep an eye out for our upcoming urinary tract product – UT123 – so you can take control of your urinary health.
