Cranberry Pomegranate Synbiotic

Product Overview

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections (Foxman, 2014), often caused by Gram-negative bacteria, enterobacteriaceae (Bader, Loeb & Brooks, 2017), and more specifically within this large bacterial family, the familiar Escherichia coli (Jensen et al., 2017). In recent years, more women suffer from chronic UTIs due to the climbing rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria. As a natural alternative or a supportive adjunct treatment with antibiotics, the Cranberry Pomegranate Synbiotic Formula offers well-researched phyto nutrients, probiotics, prebiotics, and D- mannose. Studies and clinical trials find cranberries (Bader et al., 2017; Jensen et al., 2017; de Llano et al., 2015), Pomegranates (Pagliarulo et al., 2016; Heber, 2011; Duman et al., 2009), along with probiotics, prebiotics, and D- mannose (Spaulding et al., 2017; 2017a; Domenici et al., 2016), to offer effective management and support for UTI.^†

Historically, cranberries and cranberry juice have long been used to alleviate urinary tract infections, with research linking the ability of cranberries’ proanthocyanidins (Krueger et al., 2013) to inhibit adhesion of E. coli bacteria (Neto, 2007). As early as 1933, research by Fellers et al. has shown cranberries to positively effect urinary health. Cowan’s (1999) seminal work on plant products as antimicrobial agents, which includes cranberries, has been cited in approximately 7,500 research articles. Studies on cranberries show not only an alternative to antibiotic but also as a daily supplement for a steady prevention of UTIs.^†

Recent studies continue to observe and explain cranberries’ excellent antimicrobial properties, especially the phenol elements and mechanism that are beneficial for the management and prevention of UTI (Jensen et al., 2017; Rodríguez-Pérez et al., 2017; Baranowska & Bartoszek, 2016; Sagdic et al, 2006; Lee, 2000). As stated above, proanthocyanidins in cranberries are found to prevent the adherence of Escherichia coli to uroepithelial cells in the urinary tract (Sun et al., 2015; Rowley, 2012; Burger et al., 2000), and disrupt hard to treat biofilm-mediated infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ulrey et al., 2014).^†

Cranberries also pack other antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. With their powerful anti-adhesion properties, cranberries are found to inhibit growth of Helicobacter Pylori (Shmuely et al., 2007; Zhang et al., 2005; Burger et al., 2002), suppress tumor cell proliferation and offer support during cancer treatment (Bshayee et al., 2016; Kresty et al., 2015), as well as lower markers of cardio-metabolic risk (Novotny et al., 2015), and enhance the GI’s microbiota (Blumberg et al., 2016). Cranberries are shown to be effective agents for health.^†

Pomegranate has enjoyed an exalted status since ancient times, and no wonder (Parseh et al., 2012). Studies show pomegranates contain 124 different phyto-nutrients with curative and preventative qualities. The pomegranate fruit is actually considered a berry, or more accurately, each pomegranate contains 600 seeds, each surrounded by fleshy white to dark red pulp (Rahimi et al., 2012).^†

With their potent polyphenolic flavonoids, pomegranates show higher concentrations of antioxidants than green tea (Noda et al., 2002; Nori-Okamoto et al., 2004), cranberries, apples, grapes, or pears (Hmid et al., 2017; Heber, 2011; Heber et al., 2006). The pomegranate’s high concentration of polyphenols wields an inhibitory effect on pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, serving as natural antimicrobial agents (Pagliarulo et al., 2016; Naz et al., 2007; Voravuthikunchai et al., 2005). Other microbial organisms are shown to be sensitive to the pomegranate phenolic flavonoids. Nascimento et al. (2000) tested extracts from a variety of plants in search of a natural support against antibiotic resistant microorganisms and found the pomegranate to be especially effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Machado et al. (2002) identified antimicrobial ellagitannin of the pomegranate to be valuable to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.^†

Similarly, the pomegranate’s antioxidants work as scavengers and metal chelators (Kulkarni et al., 2007). The antioxidant, antimalarial, and antimicrobial activities of the tannin-rich fractions, ellagitannins and phenolic acids from pomegranates offer excellent daily dietary food supplement to enhance the immune system (Reddy et al., 2007).^†

Probiotics and Supernatant are important to the health of our urogenital system. The genus Lactobacillus has been studied for their promising preventative and/or treatment potential against UTIs (de Llano et al., 2017). Three strains of lactobacillus were tested for their capabilities to inhibit pathogenic adherence of E. coli, E. faecalis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis to T24 epithelial bladder cells. L. salivarious, L. acidophilus showed a significantly inhibited the adherence of pathogens (de Llano et al., 2017; see also Shim et al., 2016). Lactobacillus species were also studies with infants experiencing acute pyelonephritis [kidney infection], and found effective in the prevention of urinary tract infections (Lee et al., 2016).^†

The “anti-infective activities” of lactobacillus strains are exhibiting a great promise as innovative anti-infectious agents (Liévin-Le Moal et al., 2014), and especially for recurrent UTIs (Manzoor et al., 2016).^†

Depletion of vaginal Lactobacilli has also found in research to be linked with UTI risk, which suggests that repletion (re-colonization of Lactobacilli) might be beneficial (Syngai et al., 2016; Fontana et al., 2013; Maurya et al., 2014).^†

Supernatant is the fermented medium crated during the culturing process of probiotics. Supernatant is the fermented “soup” that contains important probiotic metabolites which is comprised of enzymes, peptides, proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients and factors, including antimicrobials such as bacitracins. Supernatant is shown in research to have powerful antimicrobial properties with the potential to block adhesion, invasion and translocation of E. coli, yet it is gentle enough to be used to ‘enhance neonatal resistance to systemic Escherichia coli K1 infection by accelerating development of intestinal defense’ (He et al., 2017). In fact, Lazar et al. (2009) in vitro study concluded that the soluble probiotic metabolites, or supernatant, might actually interfere with the beginning stages of adherence and colonization of selected E. coli. This means that the supernatant itself exudes protective effects (Lazar et al., 2009), as well as work synergistically with probiotics organism to stimulate the immune system against pathogenic invasion (Ditu et al., 2014).^†

D-mannose has long shown an ability to support acute UTIs, inhibiting bacterial adhesion to the urothelium (Domenici et al., 2016; Kranj?ec et al., 2014). Testing more sensitive populations, such as people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who suffer from recurrent UTIs, showed that D-mannose effected a reduction in the number of UTIs as well as reduction for the need of antibiotics (Panicker et al., 2016).^†

Since 150 million people suffer from UTIs annually, using natural foods and nutriceutical agents to combat recurrence of UTI infections is advisable (Spaulding et al., 2017). The use of cranberries, pomegranates, probiotics, supernatant, and D-mannose form a potent synergistic effect that is shown in research to be very effective (Vicarotto, 2014).^†

There are many more health functions that cranberries and pomegranates perform. For many years cranberries and pomegranates were studied to understand their anti-tumorigenic elements (e.g., Castonguay et al., 1997). More recent studies continue to reveal and explain the bioactivity of pomegranate (Panth et al., 2017; Bishayee et al., 2016; Faria & Calhau, 2011) and cranberries (Kresty et al., 2015; Hochman et al., 2008; Ferguson et al., 2006) as promising suppressants and inhibitors of different kinds of cancer cells (Weh et al., 2016; Liberty et al., 2009; Adams et al., 2006).^†

And there is more: Research studies find pomegranate and cranberries phenolics to contribute to heart health (Taheri et al., 2017; Novotny et al., 2015; Aviram et al., 2008, 2002), to balance the gut microbiota (Blumberg et al., 2016), and to offer liver support (Bishayee et al., 2013, 2011). Check the Research Tab for more in depth studies.^†

The Cranberry Pomegranate Synbiotic Formula is an excellent choice for UTIs. Cranberries, Pomegranates, Probiotics, supernatant, and D-mannose have all shown in research to provide a potent effect against UTIs. The combination of these ingredients offers a promising natural supplement to prevent and maintain a healthy balance of the urogenital system. We suggest 2-4 capsules twice daily for UTI management, and 1-2 capsules daily for preventative support.^†

References

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