AlchePharma's Cranberry + D-Mannose combination offers powerful nutritional support based on two very well studied naturally occurring substances. D- Mannose at 1000 mg. Cranberry Fruit 37:1 Concentrate at 4% Proanthocyanidins Cranberry Several studies indicate that Cranberry helps prevent UTIs of the bladder and urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder), especially for women who have frequent UTIs. In one study of older women, cranberry juice reduced the number of bacteria in the bladder compared to placebo. Another study showed that younger women with a history of frequent UTIs who took cranberry capsules had fewer UTIs compared to those who took a placebo. A 2006 pilot study looked at twelve women between the ages of 25 and 70 with a history of UTIs to determine if a concentrated cranberry extract could prevent recurrent UTIs. During the study of administering the cranberry extract, none of the twelve subjects had a UTI. After a two-year follow-up, eight of the twelve women who continued to take the cranberry extract reported no UTI and no adverse effects. It was concluded that a cranberry preparation with a high phenolic content may completely prevent UTIs in women who are subject to recurrent infections. Two studies that cranberry may also prevent the bacteria Helicobacter pylori from attaching to stomach walls. H. pylori can cause stomach ulcers, so cranberries may play a role in preventing stomach ulcers. What is D-Mannose? D-Mannose, is a simple six-carbon sugar. D-Mannose is a stereoisomer that is a mirror image of Glucose and naturally occurs as a monosaccharide (simple sugar) in fruit like blueberries and Cranberries, as well as in other plants and fungi. Mannose exists in two forms - alpha and beta. The alpha form is mild and sweet, while the beta form is bitter. The natural manufacturing methods for Mannose results in a mixture of these two forms; yielding a product that is mildly sweet with a slightly bitter aftertaste. How can a simple sugar like Mannose be good for me? Studies suggest that Mannose may maintain and support a healthy urinary tract by blocking the adhesion of foreign particles to the surface of the host tissue. In most cases, foreign particles utilize tiny hair-like projections on their surface called fimbrium. Protruding from the tips of these fimbrium are glycoproteins called lectins. It's these lectins that bind to the surface tissues that line the urinary tract. When sufficient Mannose is consumed, the excess molecules of this sugar present in the urine attach to the lectins, thereby blocking foreign particles from adhering to the tissues of the bladder and forming new colonies. The Mannose-bound foreign particles are subsequently flushed away through the urinary tract. Does Mannose act like sucrose once digested? Although D-Mannose is a simple sugar and is absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, it is absorbed in a slower rate than most sugars and is not readily converted to glycogen for storage. A substantial amount of D-Mannose is absorbed into the bloodstream and, after passing through the kidneys and bladder, is excreted into the urine. How do you monitor the quality of your Mannose? It is not certain just what is a "perfect" alpha-to beta- Mannose ratio, but an initial sweet taste indicates the ratio is sufficiently good. Mannose is analyzed to determine its purity. This is to preclude any dilution with other sugars, such as dextrose or sucrose. However, this analysis does not differentiate between the alpha and beta forms. Does Mannose work like an antibiotic? Mannose has no antibiotic properties and will not kill existing infections. If you have persistent burning and/or urgency symptoms, please seek professional medical evaluation to determine if these symptoms are caused a urinary tract infection. SUGGESTED USE: Take 2 capsules, up to 3 times per day or as directed by a health care professional. Label
