hI-Cran^® for the prevention of cystitis and maintenance of a healthy urinary tract

The combination of cranberry extract at this strength with hibiscus extract, if used regularly, should provide maximum benefit in maintaining a healthy urinary tract and reducing UTI’s such as cystitis.

1 capsule daily

If you are taking any prescribed medication or have any medical conditions always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking vitamins or supplements. Keep out of sight and reach of young children. Do not exceed stated recommended intake. This food supplement is not intended to replace a well-balanced diet.

What is Cystitis?

Cystitis is inflammation of your bladder due to an infection or irritation. Usually cystitis only affects your bladder and is known as a lower urinary tract infection (UTI). If the infection goes higher, to your ureters or kidneys, this can be a more serious illness known as an upper urinary tract infection.

Cystitis and other UTIs are the most common form of bacterial infection and it is estimated that around half of all women will suffer from this condition at some point in their lives with one in three having suffered by the time they reach the age of 24.[iii] Children and men can also get cystitis, but it’s not as common.

What are the symptoms of Cystitis?

Symptoms of cystitis include:

• a stinging or burning sensation when you pass urine
• the need to pass urine more often
• feeling you want to urinate urgently, even if you pass very little or no urine
• cloudy or dark coloured urine
• blood in your urine
• pain or tenderness in your lower back or lower abdomen (tummy)
• feeling generally unwell

Cystitis can be painful, particularly when you pass urine, but it usually clears up within four to nine days.

Why do I get cystitis?

You are not alone, it is estimated that every year 2 million men and women[iv] visit their doctor due to cystitis and other urinary tract infections.

What Causes cystitis?

Cystitis is often caused by bacteria that get into your urethra from surrounding skin and travel up towards your bladder, causing infection and irritation. Most infections are caused by bacteria that normally live harmlessly in your bowel, usually a type of bacteria called E.Coli. Mild cystitis can also occur when no bacteria is present but the bladder has suffered irritation.

Women get cystitis more than men partly because, in women, the urethra is nearer the opening of the back passage (anus) where bacteria from your bowel can collect. This makes it easier for bacteria to get transferred from the surrounding skin into the urethra. The urethra is also much shorter in women than men, so there is less distance for the infection to travel to the bladder.

You’re more likely to get bacterial cystitis if you:

• are sexually active – the risk increases the more often you have sex
• have been through the menopause – causing changes to the lining of your vagina and urethra, making you more likely to have bacteria in your urine
• have diabetes – your urine may contain more sugar, encouraging bacteria to grow
• have a condition that prevents you from emptying your bladder such as bladder or kidney stones, enlarged prostate or are pregnant
• have a urinary catheter – introducing bacteria directly into your bladder

You’re more likely to get mild (non bacterial) cystitis if you:

• are sexually active – the risk increases the more often you have sex
• use spermicide-coated condoms or a diaphragm with spermicide
• use irritants such as certain soaps, which may irritate your urethra or bladder
• Drink coffee, alcohol and fruit juices which can cause the urine to be acidic and irritate your bladder

Recurrent Cystitis

Recurrent cystitis is when a person acquires 2 or more infections in a 6 month period. Is a very painful and unpleasant condition suffered by an ever increasing number of men and women. Women who have had 3 occurrences of cystitis are likely to continue suffering from infections of the urinary tract, in particular women in their late 20’s and over 55 are prone to recurrent cystitis.

Generally in most cases there is no reason why your cystitis recurs and usually no problem can be identified with your bladder or immune system. It is sometimes the case that there is a slight alteration in the ability of the body to resist bacteria getting into the bladder and causing infection.

Some of the following may contribute:

• Bladder or kidney problems may lead to infections being more likely.
• Having sex increases the chance of cystitis in some women
• Hormones. Your vagina, bladder and urethra respond to the hormone oestrogen. When the levels of oestrogen in the body reduce, the tissues of these organs become thinner, weaker, and dry. These changes can increase the risk of recurrent cystitis if you have gone through the change (menopause). Cystitis is also more common during pregnancy because of changes in the urinary tract.

hI-Cran^® is a clinically proven natural food supplement specifically formulated to help reduce the incidence of recurrent cystitis and other urinary tract infections.

hI-Cran^® exploits the well known anti-adherence, antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits of hibiscus and cranberry proanthocyandins (PAC) to work with your body and help prevent cystitis and other urinary tract infections.

• These PACs help prevent cystitis and UTIs by stopping E.Coli from sticking to the urinary tract, allowing your body to flush them out naturally. They are particularly effective for people suffering from recurring infections.
• Using both hibiscus and cranberry in a formulation is far more effective than using either one by itself. This combination of hibiscus and cranberry is very effective for eliminating urinary tract infection and cystitis.

hI-Cran^® is formulated by experts and manufactured to high quality standards, ensuring than an optimal and accurate dose of these clinically proven ingredients is provided daily.

• hI-Cran is manufactured to Pharmaceutical grade standards and each capsule contains 200mg hibiscus extract and 36mg PAC cranberry extract.
• Daily consumption of 200mg hibiscus extract over 6 months has been shown to reduce the recurrence of cystitis and UTIs by 77%.[i]
• Daily consumption of 36mg PAC’s helps reduce the adhesion of certain E.coli bacteria to the urinary tract walls. A number of clinical studies have demonstrated a positive link between cranberry consumption and prevention of cystitis and other UTIs.[ii]

hI-Cran^® is a natural and convenient alternative to antibiotics.

• With a course of antibiotics, there are possible side effects. An allergic reaction to the medication, such as a rash or diarrhoea, can occur. In addition there is the possibility that you can become resistant to the antibiotic, making it ineffective as time goes on.
• Unlike antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, using hI-Cran® to prevent infections has no known side effects.
• A single hI-Cran^® capsule consistently delivers the same amount of the beneficial ingredients in a whole cup of hibiscus tea and a glass of cranberry juice without the increased sugar.
• hI-Cran^® can be purchased quickly, conveniently and discreetly online, with no delivery charge.

It is not always possible to prevent cystitis but there are some steps recommended by the NHS to help prevent cystitis:

Do

• increase your fluid intake
• wear loose clothing and cotton underwear
• wipe front to back, not back to front after going to the toilet
• pass urine as soon as you feel the need to, instead of ‘holding on’
• pass urine immediately after sex
• always empty your bladder fully when you go to the toilet

Don’t

• use perfumed bubble bath, soap or talcum powder around you genitals
• drink alcohol, tea, coffee, fruit juice or spicy foods as these may make your symptoms worse

There is good evidence to show that taking capsules containing either 200mg or 36mg PAC cranberry extract or 200mg hibiscus extract are effective in preventing cystitis from coming back. hI-Cran^® has the benefit of containing both of these products at the recommended dosage. Avoid cranberry juice containing lots of sugar, as sugar can encourage bacteria to grow.

If you get cystitis three or more times a year, your GP may give you a course of antibiotics to keep at home so you can start taking them as soon as you know you’re getting a bout of cystitis. Alternatively, if you get repeated attacks, you may need to take a low dose of antibiotics for six to 12 months. If you get cystitis after having sex, your GP may advise you to take a single dose of antibiotics immediately after you have had sex to prevent an attack.

View the Fact Sheet

Howell B (2003). Cranberry Proanthocyanidins and the Maintenance of Urinary Tract Health. Clin Rev in Food Sci and Nutr, 42: 273-278

McMurdo ME, Bissett LY, Price RJ, Phillips G, Crombie IK (2005). Does ingestion of cranberry juice reduce symptomatic urinary tract infections in older people in hospital? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Age Ageing, 34: 256-261

Di Martino P, Agniel R, David K, Templer C, Gaillard JL, Denys P, Botto H (2006). Reduction of Escherichia coli adherence to uroepithelial bladder cells after consumption of cranberry juice: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled cross-over trial. World. J. Urol, 24: 21-27

Valentova K, Stejskal D, Bednar P, Vostalova J, Cihalik C, Vecerova R, Koukalova D, Kolar M, Reichenbach R, Sknouril L, Ulrichova J, Simanek V (2007). Biosafety, antioxidant status, and metabolites in urine after consumption of dried cranberry juice in healthy women: a pilot double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J. Agric. Food Chem, 55: 3217-3224.

Mounnissamy VM, Kavimani S, Gunasegaran R (2002). Antibacterial activity of gossypetin isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa. The Antiseptic, 99(3): 81-2

Burgandy Botancial Extracts www.burgundy-extracts.com