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Host: Let's go to some questions now. This is from a woman in Philadelphia. She says: for the last 15 years I have had diabetes, I am 42 years old, and for some time now I have had urinary tract infections about twice a month. Is there anything that can help?
Dr. Stengler: The first thing you have to do with someone who's got diabetes and blood sugar problems is get their blood sugar down, because when you have diabetes, it suppresses your immune system, and that's how the bacteria can build up. So we'd put her on nutrients like chromium extract and gymnema extract, all things I talk about in my books. She needs to be on a low-glycemic diet, getting those simple sugars out and high in fiber, especially the soluble fiber like in oatmeal and beans, which helps bring the blood sugar down. Then we'll use either cranberry extract, which has been shown in studies to prevent urinary tract infections, or a special type of phytonutrient called mannose, which prevents the bacteria from adhering to your bladder and urinary tract — and it's non-toxic.
Host: So in your experience, is it safe to say that once she got her diabetes under control, her urinary tract infections would lessen?
Dr. Stengler: That's typically what we find — their immune system will go up and they'll be less susceptible to infections. People with diabetes are susceptible not only to urinary tract infections but all sorts of infections, so it's imperative to get that blood sugar level down. In the meanwhile, using some cranberry extract or mannose extract can do wonders in preventing urinary tract infections. The regular doctors, to prevent the urinary tract infections people commonly get, put them on low-dose antibiotics constantly, which isn't good for their health in the long run. And with her age, 42, you may want to also look at the hormone connection that's going on there. That's why natural medicine is so great — you get the whole picture.
People with diabetes can often suffer from frequent urinary tract infections, because diabetes suppresses the immune system. Getting the blood sugar down is one way to help prevent not just UTIs but all sorts of ailments. Some of the ways we do that at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine are with a low glycemic sugar/high fiber diet, and then we use certain extra supplements that are shown to prevent UTIs. We explain a little more in the video above.
Dealing with diabetes and recurring infections is something we've got plenty of experience in. Natural medicine is great for looking at the whole picture rather than simply treating ONLY one infection at a time. If you suffer frequently occurring infections like UTIs, give us a call right away at the Stengler Center. We can help. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
