(StatePoint) As most women who have suffered urinary health issues know, such conditions can be irritating and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are practical steps you can take to naturally support your urinary tract.
It’s first important to understand how your body stays healthy. Believe it or not, one of the keys to optimal urinary function is a healthy gut. When you have diverse strains of good bacteria thriving in your digestive tract, it fortifies your immune health and makes it more difficult for the bad guys to settle in, promoting both urinary and vaginal health from your core.
Unfortunately, many aspects of modern life can make it difficult to maintain a healthy level of good bacteria: processed foods, stress, exposure to antibiotics, environmental toxins, the use of daily antibacterial products and even overzealous hygiene habits, to name a few. What’s more, even the inevitable process of aging is a factor.
To support your gut health, aim to eat a diet high in whole foods, paying careful attention to include prebiotic-rich choices, such as garlic, dandelion greens and onions. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria in the gut. You’ll want to be sure to take care of your gut and immune system with probiotics, too.
While foods like yogurt, kimchi and miso soup contain probiotics, you may find it helpful to incorporate more targeted support like probiotics for women into your wellness regimen. Look for a time-released formula designed to survive stomach acids (as many do not).
In addition to prioritizing gut health, you’ll want to consider adding powerful benefits of cranberries to your daily routine. And while cranberry juice is often the go-to solution for urinary health, cranberry extract in supplement form is much more concentrated, and doesn’t have the added calories or sugar.
D-Mannose, a simple compound found in nature that encourages certain bacteria to clump together and bypass the urinary tract wall, is another ally you’ll want to incorporate to maintain proper urinary tract function each day.
If adding three new supplements to your life feels daunting, one simple and effective option that can be found at your local Target store is Hyperbiotics PRO-Women. This formula is made with six different targeted probiotic strains for the female system, and has the added benefit of Valensa’s CranGyn, which is comprised of cranberry extract and 100 percent naturally-occurring D-Mannose. The strains in this formula can also help with gas, bloating, irregularity and weight loss, improve nutrient absorption, and even boost mood and energy levels. To learn more, visit hyperbiotics.com, join the conversation on social media at #followyourgut.
Whether you struggle with urinary health issues or want to stay one step ahead of the potential problems, be proactive about your wellness. Do what it takes to protect and nurture your gut, immune, urinary and overall health so you can feel and function at your best each day.
Photo Credit: (c) ivanko80 – Fotolia.com
