Keep it Simple

D-Mannose is a simple sugar. Chemically, it is closely related (a stereoisomer) to glucose. It is a naturally occurring sugar found in cranberry and pineapple juice. When D-Mannose is ingested into the body, most of it is rapidly absorbed through the stomach and upper GI tract before reaching the intestines, emptying into the urine through the kidneys. Only a very small amount of D-Mannose is actually metabolized by the body. What benefit, you might ask, could possible derive from something that the body treats essentially as a waste product?

Enter E. Coli

Escherichia Coli (or E. Coli) is the normal bacterium found in every intestinal tract as part of the natural microflora residing therein. These bacteria are necessary for maintaining a properly functioning intestinal tract, and when out of balance, can have a disruptive effect on overall health, especially immune system function.

The Result – UTI's

These same E. Coli bacteria can wreak havoc when they find their way into the wrong place, namely the urinary tract. In Fact, 80-90% of all bladder infections (cystitis) can be attributed to E. Coli entering the urinary tract, a problem 50 times more common in women and girls than in men. E. Coli bacteria present in the vagina migrate into the urethra and onward to the bladder, which is why many women end up with a bladder infection every time they have intercourse. The reason E. Coli bacteria present such a persistent problem is that their physio-chemical makeup enables them to stick like glue to the inner walls of the urinary tract and bladder.

Symptoms of Bladder / Urinary Tract Infections

A variety of symptoms may indicate the presence of a bladder / urinary tract infection, and the intensity of those symptoms may range from mild to severe or even life threatening in some cases. Symptoms may include:

• Incontinence
• Burning sensation upon urination
• Sensation of urgency to urinate without the ability to void completely
• Reddish or cloudy urine
• Foul smelling urine
• Lower abdominal pain
• Frequent urination

Symptoms of Kidney Infections (acute pyelonephritis)

Kidney infection is a potentially dangerous form of urinary tract infection that results when a bladder infection is left untreated and bacteria continue to migrate up the ureters to the kidney. Symptoms of kidney infections include:

• Burning sensation during urination
• Frequent urination
• Increased urgency to urinate
• Lower back pain
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

D-Mannose to the Rescue

The remarkable thing about D-Mannose is that its chemical structure causes it to adhere to E. Coli bacteria even more tenaciously than E.coli adhere to human cells. Normal urination, therefore, with a sufficient level of D-Mannose present, becomes a simple and effective treatment for the condition. E. Coli cells coated by D-Mannose in the urine become unglued and get flushed right out of the body.

Antibiotics?

Although they are often used, antibiotics are almost always an inferior treatment. Bladder or kidney infections can become a recurring problem or they can stop responding to the antibiotics. Long-term or often repeated antibiotic use can lead to major disturbance in normal body microflora, and sometimes to major disruption in health. Antibiotics successfully kill the unwanted micro-organisms, but they also kill many wanted micro-organisms as well. Use of antibiotics have caused many women to end up with yeast infections, as the friendly bacteria are killed off along with the bad bacteria, the antibiotic insensitive yeast can then grow out of control.

Cranberry Juice?

D-Mannose is naturally occurring and is found in cranberry juice. However, the amount in the juice is substantially less than in the 1 tsp. adult dose of D-Mannose, and is substantially less effective. D-Mannose is 10 times more active than the fructose in cranberries when it comes to dislodging the sticking of the E.coli bacteria from the urinary tract.

How is D-Mannose different?

D-Mannose does not kill bacteria, friendly or unfriendly. D-Mannose simply helps to remove misplaced E.coli from inside of the urinary tract by the natural process of urination. Use of D-Mannose is ecologically sound. The small amount of D-Mannose metabolized by the body and not excreted into the urine is harmless. It also tastes good!

D-Mannose…

• has no side effects
• is naturally occurring
• does not kill friendly bacteria
• does not disrupt normal body function
• does not interfere with blood sugar regulation
• is safe for pregnant women and small children
• is hypo-allergenic
• is dye free
• is preservative free
• is yeast free

Interstitial Cystitis And The Case For D-Mannose

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder disorder that mimics the symptoms of an ordinary urinary tract infection (UTI). Unlike ordinary UTIs resulting from E. coli bacteria, the cause(s) of IC continue to baffle medical researchers. Some researchers believe it is the result of an acid-alkali imbalance brought about by environmental factors and diet. Some theorize that IC results from an infection caused by a more elusive strain of bacteria, undetected by routine IC screening methods. Still others suspect causes such as nerve function disorders, defective cells in the bladder lining, and allergic reactions.

Treatments for IC are numerous and diverse and include long term antibiotic use, herbal therapies, water dilation of the bladder, drug therapy (antidepressants) to effect a change in the bladder lining, and even surgery up to and including bladder removal. These treatments and others are normally employed in a trial and error fashion with varying degrees of success.

Can d-mannose be utilized as one more weapon in the arsenal of treatments for IC? Although there is no clinical evidence that it can be effective in every or even most cases, we have received anecdotal evidence in the form of customer testimonials from people who suffer from IC, and who have experienced relief from their symptoms as a result of using d-mannose. It is impossible to say by what mechanism this is being achieved since the causes of the disorder are so poorly understood.

Recent clinical trials suggest that d-mannose may be effective against strains of bacteria other than E.coli. Perhaps IC is an infection caused by “other” bacteria, as some believe, that are similarly dispatched by d-mannose. Interestingly, it is known that over two-thirds of all IC sufferers have a history of urinary tract infections. Is it possible that prevention and early treatment of ordinary UTIs with regular use of d-mannose may delay or even prevent the onset of IC? We can only speculate, but in any event, d-mannose is harmless and inexpensive, and certainly worth trying as part of any trial and error course of treatment.

How do you take D-Mannose?

Normal therapeutic dosage is 1/2 tsp. daily for chronic suffers of UTIs or weekly for preventative measures. It can be mixed with juice, milk or water. However, it is easiest to just take the powder plain.

According to Dr. Jonathan V. Wright, editor of Nutrition and Healing, during an infection it is recommended to take 1/2 tsp. every 3-4 hours. If the infection is not considerably better within 24 hours, it is probably not being caused by E.coli.

For women who experience bladder infections related to intercourse, it is recommended taking 1/2 tsp. 1 hour prior to and just after intercourse.