Leo Galland
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 Three to six capsules per day are quite effective at preventing urinary infection.99 If cranberry juice is not effective, try bearberry leaf {Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) extract, which contains the urinary antiseptic arbutin. The dose needed is five hundred milligrams three times a day.100 Do not mix Arctostaphylos uva-ursi with cranberry, because bearberry only works in an alkaline urine and cranberry renders the urine acidic. To achieve an alkaline urine when taking bearberry, avoid consuming meat, fish, poultry, or eggs. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
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 However, bilberry (page 634), cranberry (page 664), black currant, green tea (page 686), black tea, and other plants also contain these flavonoids (page 516). Nutritional supplements containing proanthocyanidins extracts from various plant sources are available, alone or in combination with other nutrients, in herbal extracts, capsules, and tablets.
Proanthocyanidins have been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Rating Health Concerns
þ?? Chronic venous insufficiency (page 116)
þ? |
| Blueberry (page 641) contains similar constituents as cranberry, and mighr also prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary bladder.21 However, studies have not yet been done to determine if blueberry can help prevent bladder infections.
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), birch {Betula spp. |
Leo Galland
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| Holding in urine and distending the bladder damages the lining and increases the risk of infection.98 cranberry juice inhibits the attachment of bacteria to the lining of the bladder. A single eight-ounce glass of sweetened cranberry juice every day decreases bacterial contamination of the urine. For those who dislike the taste of cranberries, freeze-dried cranberry juice extract is available in capsule form. Three to six capsules per day are quite effective at preventing urinary infection. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 One group drank 10 ounces of cranberry juice a day while the other consumed the same amount of a placebo beverage that looked and tasted the same, but contained no cranberry juice.
After about six weeks, a percentage of those who drank the cranberry juice showed a drop in bacteria and white-blood cells in their urine; the count remained low during the entire six-month study. Those who had the placebo showed no change. |
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
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 Cranberry spritzer: Mix 8 ounces of cranberry juice with 8 ounces of sparkling water ice cubes, and a twist of lemon.
• A large baked apple: Core an apple; fill its hollow with sugar-free cranberry soda pop and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for forty-five minutes.
• OJ ice cubes (a great alternative to munching on ice cubes!): Pour orange juice into ice cube trays and freeze. |
Eric R. Braverman
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 Finish with cranberry tea.
DAY 2
BREAKFAST 2-egg omelet with 2 oz. roasted turkey and fresh radishes. Finish with coffee with cinnamon.
LUNCH 6 oz. light tuna mixed with olive oil to taste on 1 slice whole-wheat bread with Lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Finish with 6 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
DINNER 6 oz. salad of beets and apples with 2 oz. goat cheese and balsamic vinegar (no olive oil). One grilled Cajun-spiced chicken breast and 4 oz. (total) of mixed steamed snow peas, red beans, and corn. Finish with ginger tea. |
Michael Janson, M.D.
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 There is some unsweetened cranberry juice available at health food stores, but it is quite tart. If it is diluted with water and mixed with a small amount of fruit juice it can be palatable without enough sugar to adversely affect the immune system.
There are capsules of cranberry powder available for supplemental use. These are what I usually recommend for urinary infections, in addition to extra vitamin C. (I also prescribe antibiotics as needed.)
How to take
Cranberry powder is commonly available as 425-mg capsules. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Cranberry
Results from numerous studies have shown that consumption of cranberry juice is an effective treatment against bladder and urinary tract infections. Animal experiments indicate that components of cranberry can lower blood pressure as well.
Dandelion
A popular liver remedy, dandelion is an herb loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein, etc. Dandelion extracts have exhibited antitumor and hypoglycemic activity in animal studies. |
Michael Janson, M.D.
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| Unfortunately, most commercial cranberry juice contains a large amount of sugar, and you have to drink quite a bit for it to be effective. These quantities of refined sugar are themselves detrimental to your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections. There is some unsweetened cranberry juice available at health food stores, but it is quite tart. If it is diluted with water and mixed with a small amount of fruit juice it can be palatable without enough sugar to adversely affect the immune system.
There are capsules of cranberry powder available for supplemental use. |
| It is important not to let urinary infections go untreated because of the danger of developing a kidney infection. cranberry may work by preventing bacteria from sticking to the bladder mucosal membrane.
Unfortunately, most commercial cranberry juice contains a large amount of sugar, and you have to drink quite a bit for it to be effective. These quantities of refined sugar are themselves detrimental to your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections. There is some unsweetened cranberry juice available at health food stores, but it is quite tart. |
Richard Beliveau, Ph.D. and Denis Gingras, Ph.D.
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 Eating cranberries should be preferred over drinking cranberry juice. Dried cranberries may be added to breakfast cereals or to fruit mixtures.
Blueberries and other berries may be eaten year-round. Defrost frozen berries and use them as toppings for yogurt, ice cream, or other desserts.
CHAPTER 12
Omega-3s: Finally, Fats That Are Good For You!
Over the last few decades, not too many people have had much that is good to say about fats. |
| As we shall see, molecules
Ellagic acid found in both the cranberry and the blueberry may also play a role in cancer prevention.
THE ANTI-CANCER POTENTIAL OF BERRIES: ELLAGIC ACID, ANTHOCYANIDINS, AND PROANTHOCYANIDINS
Given that berries occupy a relatively small part of our diet, mostly due to their being a seasonal food, it is extremely difficult to precisely determine their impact on tumour development. In fact, there has been to our knowledge no important study on the possible relationship between the consumption of berries and the risk of developing cancer. |
| It is also important to note that cranberry juice has a much lower proanthocyanidin content than does the whole fruit, and can thus not be considered a significant source of these molecules.
The proanthocyanidins are known primarily for their exceptional antioxidant power. This quality is discernible in the story of the French explorer Jacques Cartier's second voyage to America, during which his crew, forced to winter in what is now Quebec, was stricken with scurvy. |
The Editors of FC&A
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| One glass of cranberry juice a day could be enough to flush the bacteria out of your stomach — before they can dig in and wreak havoc.
Garlic. Next time you cook your favorite Italian dish, add plenty of this potent bacteria killer. In the laboratory, garlic extracts appeared to slow the growth of four different kinds of H. pylori.
Green tea. Reach for green tea when you're craving a warm drink and a little caffeine. Unlike black tea or coffee, green tea is gender on your stomach. And drinking it regularly might help ease stomach inflammation. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
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| Proanthocyanidins (page 574) (OPCs), a group of flavonoids found in pine bark, grape seed, grape skin, bilberry (page 634), cranberry (page 664), black currant, green tea (page 686), black tea, and other plants, have also been shown to strengthen capillaries in double-blind research using as little as two 50 mg tablets per day.7 In a double-blind trial using a total of 150 mg OPCs per day, French researchers reported reduced symptoms for women with CVI.8 In another French double-blind trial, supplementation with 100 mg taken three times per day resulted in benefits within four weeks. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| Herbs
Cranberry—For years, women have sworn by cranberry juice as mean; of alleviating the frequency and duration of cystitis and for years, researchers were puzzled as to why it worked. Now, medical researchers have confirmed that the cranberry is much more than a fruit to eat on Thanksgiving; it is also a potent infection fighter. A group of Boston-based scientists looked at two groups of elderly women who often show urine that contains bacteria and white-blood cells—signs that an infection may be in the making. |
| Since pure cranberry juice might be too tart for some, most manufacturers also sell a blend of juice, water, and sugar. Look for the low-sugar blend if you need to drink a lot of cranberry juice; sugar nourishes the offending bacteria. The easiest and simplest way to get the full benefit of cranberry without the added sugar is by taking capsules.
Garlic—The herb that stops vampires in their tracks is also lethal to bacteria and viruses. Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which not only kills bacteria but is especially effective against microorganisms that can cause yeast infections. |
Barrie R Cassileth, Ph.D.
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 Cranberry cranberry juice may help ward off urinary-tract infections. See a doctor if the infection already exists; cranberry juice works only as a preventive measure.
Dandelion Tea brewed from dandelion root is cited often to treat digestion as well as liver, kidney, and bladder ailments. However, experts suspect that these remedies were founded in the Doctrine of Signatures (the yellow flower would be thought to treat yellow jaundice), and say there is no evidence of dandelion's medicinal usefulness for these problems. Some believe that applying dandelion juice to warts can remove them. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 Reduction of Bacteriuria and Pyuria after Ingestion of cranberry Juice," JAMA 271, no. 10 (March 9, 1994): 751-54.
A study found that 73 percent of subjects suffering from urinary tract infections who consumed 16 ounces of cranberry juice per day experience relief. The recurrence rate was 61 percent when the treatment was withdrawn.
P. N. Prodromos et al., "Cranberry Juice in the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections," Southwest Med. 47 (1968): 17. |
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
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| Toss fruit with
I tablespoon orange juice concentrate, I teaspoon lemon peel, and I tablespoon crumbled candied ginger Place in a parfait glass and serve with one ladyfinger cookie.
• cranberry spritzer: Mix 8 ounces of cranberry juice with 8 ounces of sparkling water ice cubes, and a twist of lemon.
• A large baked apple: Core an apple; fill its hollow with sugar-free cranberry soda pop and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for forty-five minutes.
• OJ ice cubes (a great alternative to munching on ice cubes!): Pour orange juice into ice cube trays and freeze. |
Dr. Gary Null
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| Natural preventatives include cranberry juice, lactobacilli, progesterone extracted from the wild yam, buchu leaf, the plant marsh mallow, cornstalk, and uva-ursi. A technique useful in reducing infection recurrence is hydration monitoring with a hand-held probe.
NUTRITION/DIET
Drinking 4 to 6 ounces of cranberry juice almost daily for 7 weeks was shown to prevent urinary tract infections in 19 of 28 nursing home patients. Researchers suggest that cranberry juice is preventive, rather than curative, of urinary tract infections.
L. Gibson et al. |
Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews
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 DRIED APRICOT AND cranberry COMPOTE WITH APPLES
SERVES 8
1 V2 cups dried apricots
% cup dried cranberries, dried cherries, currants, or raisins
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and cut into large pieces 'A cup unsweetened apple juice
% cup light brown sugar V2 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons julienned orange or lemon zest Nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt or nonfat frozen vanilla yogurt (optional)
1. In a small bowl, combine the dried apricots and cranberries and add enough warm water to cover. Soak for 30 minutes. Drain and discard the soaking liquid.
2. |
Bradley J. Willcox, M.D., D. Craig Willcox, Ph.D., Makoto Suzuki, M.D.
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 Jasmine Tea Green Tea Matcha Soy Masala Chai Tomato Juice Frappe Apricot-Yogurt Soy Smoothie Spiced cranberry Cider Miso and Dill Dip Tofu Hummus
Cucumber and Avocado Hors d'Oeuvre
Snacking Pita Pizza
Spinach Wedges
Orange-Glazed Sesame Carrots
Caramel Sweet Potato Chips
Cajun Hot Popcorn
Hearty Granola
Jasmine Tea
SERVES 4
There are two main kinds of tea: fermented (black tea), and unfermented (green tea). Jasmine tea, the most popular tea in Okinawa, is slightly fermented. It has the freshness of green tea but the wonderful aroma that comes from fermentation. |
| Serve meat, fish, and poultry with low-fat sauces like cranberry relish, chili sauce, salsa, chutney, and spicy mustard. When making gravy, skim the fat out of meat juices first, or thicken beef or chicken bouillon with cornstarch.
Spike the pizza. Popular pizza toppings such as anchovies, bacon, pepperoni, salami, cheese, and sausage are loaded with fat. Lighten up with ham or sliced chicken and veggies like mushrooms, green peppers, broccoli, onions, and sliced tomatoes.
• Be a limey. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| Earl's Rx
Cranberry: Drink one glass of unsweetened juice daily or take cranberry capsules (400 mg.) three times daily.
Garlic: Two raw, aged odorless garlic capsules daily.
Uva ursi: One to three 500 mg. capsules daily.
Barberry: One to three capsules daily.
Depression
Depression is the most common of all emotional disorders.
Extreme stress can trigger depression. Recent research shows that some people are biologically programmed to react with depression when they are overstressed.
Poor diet and nutritional deficiencies can contribute to feeling blue. |
Richard Lucas
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 Science Evaluates cranberry Juice
According to an article in The Times Record, Dr. George B. Ceresia of the Albany College of Pharmacy reported that of 60 adults with definite symptoms of urinary tract infection, all received beneficial results when treated with 16 ounces of commercial cranberry juice daily for a period of three weeks. Twenty-two of the patients were considered cured in that the bacteria count was sharply reduced, while others obtained varying degrees of improvement. Dr. |
Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews
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| Sunsweet not from concentrate Prune Juice with Pulp Sunsweet Prune Juice Plus (with lutein)
¦ Trader Joe's 100% Unaltered Concord Grape Juice
¦ Trader Joe's All Natural Unfiltered Concord Grape Juice
¦ Tropicana 100% Pure Orange Juice
¦ Tropicana 100% Red Ruby Grapefruit Juice
« Walnut Acres Certified Organic Concord Grape Juice
¦ Walnut Acres Certified Organic Cherry Juice
¦ Walnut Acres Certified Organic Wild cranberry www.walnutacres. |
Bradley J. Willcox, M.D., D. Craig Willcox, Ph.D., Makoto Suzuki, M.D.
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| See the recipe for Spiced cranberry Cider on page 355.
Cardamom {Eletaria cardamomum). One of India's most amazing spices. Store the delicate green but strong-flavored seeds in an airtight container. Grind whole cardamom with an herb grinder before cooking. Cardamom adds an exotic sweetness to cake dough, ice cream, milk tea, and fruity sweet dishes. See the recipe for Soy Masala Chai on page 353.
CHILI {Capsicum frutescens). As chilies mature, their spiciness increases. Okinawans like to place a handful of fresh chili in local rice wine. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
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 The other half consumed a drink that looked and tasted like cranberry juice, but had no real juice in it.
Over the next six months, urine samples were collected and tested for signs of bacteria. The women consuming cranberry juice had fewer than half as many urinary infections as the control group—42 percent, to be exact. The number of cases that had to be treated with antibiotics was also only about half, which is a real advantage, since antibiotics can sometimes lead to yeast infections and other problems. It takes about four to eight weeks for the preventive effect to be seen. |
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