Study: Cranberries in the treatment of male urinary trouble problems

Reference

vidlar a, vostalova j, Ulrichova j, et al. The effectiveness of dried cranberries ( Vaccinium macrocarpon ) in men with symptoms of the lower urinary tract. br j Nutr. 2010; 104 (8): 1181-1189.

Design

The participants were divided into two groups on random: control group (N 21; average age 64.0 (SD 5.4) years) and Cranberry (N 21; average age 62.0 (SD 5.4) years). In the cranberry group, three capsules (1500 mg CFP per day) were taken over the day over the period of 6 months daily. They were instructed not to eat foods that are rich in phenols during the study, in particular no anti-containing fruits, and no other nutritional or lifestyle changes. The control group received the same instructions as the Cranberry Group, but no cranberry supplement. Physical examination, International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), five-point version of the International Index of Erectile Function (Iief-5), basic clinical-chemical parameter, hematology, SE, testosterone, PSA (free and total), C-reactive protein (CRP), antioxidation status, transrectales Ultrasound prostate volums, urine flow rate, ultrasound-valued residual urine volume after emptying at the start of the course and after 3 and 6 months as well as ex-vivo antiadherz activity of the urine were determined in all subjects.

participant

42 men from the Czech Republic

study parameters

42 men aged 45 to 70 (average age 63 (SD 5.5) years) took part in this study. All subjects who took part in the study had symptoms of the lower urinary tract (luts), an increased PSA and/or BHP value (BPH). Further inclusion criteria were histological findings of acute or chronic non -bacterial prostatitis, normal urine sediment and negative bacterial cultivation in urine. The diagnosis was asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis in category IV according to the classification system of the National Institute of Health. The exclusion criteria included the waiver of food supplements such as SE, vitamin E and D, Lycopine or vegetable products with possible effects on the health of the prostate, a diet that is rich in isoflavons, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. In addition, people with food allergies, chronic liver or kidney diseases, gastrointestinal or metabolic disorders or other chronic health problems such as diabetes were excluded from the study. All exclusion criteria were identified in the interview.

most important knowledge

• The daily dose of cranberry fruit powder (CFP) contained 223 mg organic acids, 1.65 mg anthocyane, 29.5 mg condensed tannins and a total of 52 mg phenols.
• patients who received cranberry for 6 months had a statistically significantly lower IPSS and QOL score than the control persons.
• A lower IPSS score reflected an improvement in the irritative and obstructive symptoms.
• All parameters of urination, the average urine flow rate, emptying the prostate blase and the residual urine volume after emptying were significantly improved in at least 70 % of the participants in the cranberry group.
• In the control group, the tested parameters did not change, with the exception of the residual urine volume after emptying, in which a statistically significant deterioration was determined.
• The hematological values ​​remained unchanged, with the exception of a significant increase in erythrocytes in the cranberry group, which was, however, within physiological limits.
• The entire PSA fell in about 80 % of the patients in the cranberry group.
• Although the changes in the values ​​of several “security” markers were statistically significantly different, the fluctuation was after 6 months for both groups within normal physiological limits.
In summary, it can be said that the cranberry group stabilized compared to the control group, and this could also apply to the markers for oxidative stress. In addition, this study showed that cranberries can improve the luts, regardless of benign prostate hyperplasia or the C reactive protein mirror.
• differences in urine liability ex-vivo in both groups were not significantly different.
• No unwanted events were registered.

effects on practice

naturopathic artists and herbal healers have been using cranberry extracts for urinary tract diseases for decades. Nowadays, patients require vegetable diuras, antimicrobial and anti -adherence agents, kidney protection and herbs for their luts or BPH, even if they may be answered with reservation by their urologists. Cranberry fruits and juice are known for their ability to inhibit the binding of pathogenic E. coli tribes and other microbes on the bladder epithelium. ^{1 With increasing age of the male baby boomer, the prevalence of luts will certainly increase due to an enlarged prostate. Luts refers to a complex irritating and obstructive micturition symptoms that often occur in both aging women and in men. Prostate enlargement and BPH affect older men in particular. The incidence of Luts in connection with BPH increases dramatically with increasing age. The current conventional treatments for BPH, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, cause hormone changes that are associated with unpleasant sexual side effects, in particular erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. Prostatitis is a clinical illness that is defined as urological pain or symptoms in the pelvic area, which is associated with luts and/or sexual dysfunction. Duration of at least 3 of the last 6 months. Symptoms of CP/CPPS can affect the quality of life and impair physical and psychological function. Natural treatments can be of great help for this patient group, since conventional therapies have little chance of success.}

The result of the cranberry/luts study in men is convincing, but due to the small number of recruited subjects, it is not conclusive. Although a larger attempt is required, the use of concentrated cranberry powder in a dosage of about 500 mg three times a day can be safe and sufficient for every man who suffers from luts, regardless of whether the symptoms are due to CP/CPPs or BPH. Two other natural active ingredients that can work well in the treatment of BPH and CP/CPPs are rye pollen extract and beta-sitosterin. ^{4.5,6 rye pollen extract was used in a study in combination with betaitosterol, sawing palm and vitamin E, the affordable results for men with BPH/LUTS showed. 7 It would be advisable to use cranberry powder ( Vaccinium macrocarpo ), betaitosterol, rye pollen extract, vitamin E and saw palm in men with luts of all prostate-related origin.}