UTI Plan

Recurring Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can really get you down – but some lifestyle changes combined with effective supplements can work wonders.

UTIs are often caused by e-coli bacteria migrating from the bowel to the bladder, so preventing this should be the focus of the plan.

How and why we need to stop urinary tract infections (UTIs). Download Linda’s free fact sheet here.

Common triggers to avoid

Diet is not believed to play a role in UTIs, but being dehydrated can precipitate an attack.

Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine which can both cause dehydration and leave you vulnerable to a UTI.

Spicy food, nicotine, carbonated drinks and artificial sweeteners can all irritate your bladder. Focus on healthy foods which are good for your digestive health.

Healing foods to try

  • Increase your intake of filtered water to 2-3 litres per day.
  • Culinary herbs such as sage, papaya and pineapple are antiparasitic and so help balance good and bad bacteria in your digestive system.
  • Garlic and caprylic acid are antifungal, so also help with bacteria balance.
  • Following an alkalizing diet can be beneficial – the diet includes vegetables, green juices, protein powders and whey protein.
  • For years, cranberry juice was the old wives’ remedy for cystitis as it was believed to stop bacteria sticking to the bladder wall. This has now been found to be a myth, and you’re just as well drinking water – or try my refreshing Tummy Tea for a change.

Tailoring your supplements

UTIs are often caused by e-coli bacteria migrating from the bowel to the bladder, therefore supplementation with high-strength, multi-strain live bacteria (sometimes called a probiotic) can help prevent the e-coli from sticking to your bladder wall. My For Women capsules are specialist live bacteria probiotics formulated for women, containing 3 billion live bacteria in each capsule. For Women probiotics capsules contain female-specific strains of bacteria (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri) proven to reach the vagina and urinary tract alive. Recent studies have shown that these specialist bacteria are a safe and effective treatment for recurrent UTIs.

Getting plenty of Vitamin C is also important, because large amounts of Vitamin C make urine more acidic, and this inhibits the growth of bacteria in your urinary tract. For this reason, my For Women probiotics also contain Vitamin C.

Taking my potent Garlic tablets complements the action of the probiotics – recent studies show that the E.coli bacteria which causes UTIs is weakened by the action of antimicrobial garlic.

I’ve combined For Women probiotics and Garlic tablets in my Women’s Health Duo to provide a 30 day plan against UTIs.

Bearberry Leaf and Goldenseal are herbal remedies for UTIs – however they are potent and should be used under the supervision of a medical herbalist.

Lifestyle tips to prevent recurring UTIs

  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drinking water is the single most important thing you can do to stave off a UTI as it helps flush away the bacteria from the urinary system.
  • If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, make sure you are taking my For Women probiotics three times a day to recolonise your gut with “friendly” bacteria in order to avoid additional problems following a UTI.
  • Avoid tight jeans, wear cotton underwear, wipe yourself from front to back after going to the loo, and choose only fragrance-free personal hygiene products, soaps and shower gels. All of these actions will help prevent a UTI from developing.
  • Empty your bladder immediately after having sex to wash away any bacteria that may have migrated from your back passage to your vaginal area.
  • Every time you empty your bladder — even if it’s just a small amount — you rid it of some of the bacteria causing the infection, so keep making those trips to the loo!