Cystitis

Introduction
Cystitis, inflammation of the bladder, causes at best considerable discomfort, and at its worst it results in debilitating pain and even bleeding. It can be particularly frustrating in its recurrent form, as repeated antibiotic prescriptions only seem to clear it up for a short time, after which it is back, often worse than ever.

Cystitis is commonly associated with an overgrowth of detrimental bacteria that travel to the bladder.

Strictly speaking, cystitis refers to inflammation, not necessarily to infection. The bladder has a simple function that requires very sophisticated elastic tissue and relaxed muscle: it does not take much to irritate it. The commonest problem is probably heavy protein consumption, resulting in high levels of excretion of acidic metabolites. Reduction in the size and frequency of protein meals often achieves good results.

Before you start
The gut’s ability to absorb nutrients, whether it is from food or from the food state supplements, will be significantly improved if the body has first been cleansed of harmful toxins, and the intestinal tract replenished with healthy flora.

It is of particular benefit in today’s environment with our increased exposure to harmful toxins from so many sources. It is our recommendation to pre-empt any dietary/nutritional program with a cleanse, and to repeat it twice per year.

To this extent we recommend that before you start on your required formula you undertake our Detox Formula which involves 3 products that provide a very effective cleanse program that will enhance your health and wellbeing.

Click here to view the Detox Formula

Cystitis Supplements - food state only

The following supplements that are known to be helpful:

Table of Beneficial Nutritional Supplements

This information is offered as an introduction to supplements, herbs, foods and substances known to help with Cystitis. This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and it is suggested that sound advice is taken by an appropriately qualified practitioner.

Cereal grains oats, brown rice, buckwheat, rye
Vegetables carrots, garlic, onions, green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, water cress, sweet potato, aubergine, fennel, radish, beetroot
Fruits cranberry juice daily, pears, apples, apricots, ripe banana, olives
Legumes miso, lentils, soya beans, black beans, green peas, dried peas, barley
Teas, Herbs & Spices green tea, black tea, parsley, ginger, turmeric, sarsaparilla, peppermint, Echinacea, berberis, Uva Ursi, lemon grass
Nuts & Seeds flax seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts, pistachio nuts, chestnuts, walnuts, almonds (no more than 10 a day)
Fungi Shiitake mushrooms
Fish sardines, tuna, sole, shrimps, prawns
Dairy live organic yoghurt
Additional Foods organic honey, cranberry juice, carrots, ideally as juice daily

Negative Foods

Cereal grains refined cereals, refined flour products
Vegetables excess garlic
Fruits orange, orange juice, grapefruit & grapefruit juice
Legumes soya milk
Teas, Herbs & Spices
Nuts & Seeds old Brazil nuts and high intake of peanuts
Fish mackerel, haddock
Poultry battery chicken, hens’ eggs
Meats pork & pork products, reduce intake of proteins from red meat, salami
Dairy cow’s milk, reducing dairy to a minimum, reduce non-organic cheese
Fats hydrogenated fats, refined cooking oils, fennel oil, trans-fatty acids
Food Additives tartrazine, artificial sweeteners, sulphates (preservative)
Beverages avoid excess caffeine & alcohol; avoid artificially sweetened drinks. See Additional Comments below.
Avoid low fat foods, refined carbohydrates, white sugar (sucrose), high additive processed foods, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, pickled foods
Cooking methods fried foods, barbequed foods

Additional Comment
- As part of a healthy lifestyle, it is well understood that smoking is deleterious to good health. - Being aware of appropriate weight management is also well understood.
- Less well discussed in relation to good health, however, is the importance of our feelings and emotions. Lack of self-esteem is so often associated with poor eating and lifestyle habits. All of us have positive aspects to our life, and focusing on these will improve our well-being.
- It is important that attention is paid to the balance between acid-forming and alkali-forming foods. The optimum balance is around 60% alkali-forming and 40% acid-forming. [See Acid-Forming and Alkali-Forming Food Charts and Guidelines on this site ].]
- Adopt a diet based on organic wholefoods, vegetables, fruits and grains.
- Raw foods such as salads and fruits should be about 20% of the daily food intake for optimum health benefits.
- There is benefit in eating in a specific order: fresh ’live’ foods first such as salads to prepare the digestive system. Next follow cooked vegetables, then proteins. Anything starchy should be last. Eating in this order ensures food enters the digestive system in order of digestion time.
- Chew foods slowly and thoroughly, as this increases their nutritional benefits, particularly as we get older.
- Research has shown that reducing intake of dairy products in later life is beneficial.
- It is best to reduce red meat within the diet to occasional intake. As a general guide, the best meat sources are lamb, and with regard to poultry, properly-fed and organically-reared chicken.
- White fish are generally the better option. Coastal fish such as mackerel are best reduced, as they tend to contain more of the undesirable toxic pollutants.
- As the years progress it is sensible to reduce the total intake of refined sugars.
- Avoid dehydration - take plenty of fresh water. Good quality still mineral water from a glass container is the superior form; though a good tap filter is also satisfactory.
During exercise, the body loses up to 3 litres and it is good to remember that muscles are composed of 70% to 75% water.
Adequate water intake is known to help reduce the feeling of tiredness and fatigue.
Increased intake of water can help to reduce weight.
- Foods cooked in aluminium cookware reduce water’s ability to be used by the body.
- Avoid high intake of beverages containing caffeine, e.g. excess coffee, artificially sweetened fizzy (carbonated) and still drinks, and soft drinks high in sugars ending in ’-ose’ such as ’sucrose’, ’glucose’ and ’fructose’.
- Take alcohol only in moderation as it can aggravate negative symptoms. Good quality organic wines can contribute to good health, spirits, beers and lagers less so. Organic red or white wine can be taken, but no more than 1 glass a day is suggested. Spirits should be avoided for a period of at least four months after dietary reform, and beer kept to an absolute minimum.
- Take exercise as much as possible out of doors in clean air. Prolonged exercise in air conditioning with artificial lighting should be no more than an hour at one time.
Isotonic exercise has been found beneficial in reducing muscle weakness.
- Sunlight has a beneficial effect on the whole person, and is also known to alleviate the experience of fatigue that can also occur with extended periods of exposure to artificial lighting.
Wearing sunglasses can reduce energy levels, as they block out some beneficial rays that can actually enhance energy. Men should try to avoid pink tinted glasses.
- Try to obtain cosmetics that are not full of chemicals. There is a saying: "If you can’t eat the ingredient safely, then it may be best not to put it on your skin."
- Avoid shampoos and soaps containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.
- Antiperspirants are usually applied to help reduce body odour. However, these preparations contain aluminium, which actually gets absorbed into the body. This metal is known to produce many undesirable toxic side effects.
- Cystitis is commonly associated with high levels of detrimental bacteria in the gut. It is sensible to try to reduce these undesirable gut bacteria. Take plenty of fresh water. Good quality still mineral water from a glass container is the superior form; though a good tap filter is also satisfactory.
- A diet high in acid-forming foods can directly contribute to cystitis, as often waste acids can concentrate in the urine. Taking more alkali-forming foods taken can help reduce this unpleasant condition.
- Cranberry juice contains a beneficial substance known as Hippuric Acid, which helps control infections of the urinary tract.
- Use a good quality lavender oil in the bath. This oil is also known as an effective skin cleanser.

Additional Help & Support 
Homeopathy: Apis Mel or Cantharis can be helpful. However, it is sensible to consult an appropriately qualified homeopathic practitioner.
In women particularly, vulval hygiene requires attention. Underwear should permit adequate ventilation, and avoid man-made fabrics. Candida albicans infection should be suppressed with a suitable fungal antibiotic and then held down biologically. Oral reinforcement of the normal bowel bacterial flora with a probiotic (gut bacteria supplement) is the ideal way to achieve this. Probiotic supplementation often also proves beneficial to the special mucosa of the bladder, reducing its susceptibility to inflammation and irritability.
Herbal practitioners have been found to recommend Echinacea extract, Berberis and Uva Ursi extract. It is recommended that these are prescribed by an appropriately qualified herbal practitioner.
The pharmaceutical preparation Nystatin is a substance that is also helpful.