Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Cranberry
© Steven Foster
Botanical names:
Vaccinium macrocarponParts Used & Where Grown
Cranberry is a member of the same family as bilberry and blueberry. It is from North America and grows in bogs. The ripe fruit is used medicinally.
What Are "Star" Ratings?
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:
| Used for | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
High Cholesterol | 500 mg three times per day after meals | Supplementing with a cranberry extract has been shown to help lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes taking hypoglycemic medication.
|
| ||
| Used for | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Prostatitis | 1,500 mg per day of dried cranberry powder for six months | A preliminary study found that dried cranberry powder improved urinary symptoms in men with prostatitis.
|
| ||
| Used for | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Urinary Tract Infection | 4 to 10 ounces (114 to 296 ml) of cranberry juice daily or 400 mg of powdered cranberry concentrate twice per day | Supplementing with cranberry has been shown to help treat and prevent recurrences. |
| ||
Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)
In traditional North American herbalism, cranberry has been used to prevent kidney stones and “bladder gravel” as well as to remove toxins from the blood. Cranberry has long been recommended by herbalists as well as doctors to help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Also indexed as:
- botanicals,
- cranberry,
- cranberry juice,
- herbal dietary supplements,
- herbal medicine,
- herbal remedies,
- herbal therapy,
- herbalism,
- plant Medicine,
- urinary tract infection,
- urinary tract infections,
- UTI,
- UTIs,
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
About this treatment
Botanical names:
Vaccinium macrocarponHow It Works
In test tube studies, cranberry prevents E. coli, the most common bacterial cause of UTIs, from adhering to the cells lining the wall of the bladder. This anti-adherence action is thought to reduce the ability of the bacteria to cause a UTI. The proanthocyanidins in the berry have exhibited this anti-adherence action. Cranberry has been shown to reduce bacteria levels in the urinary bladders of older women significantly better than placebo, an action that may help to prevent UTIs. A small double-blind trial with younger women ages 18–45 years with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections, found that daily treatment with an encapsulated cranberry concentrate (400 mg twice per day) for three months significantly reduced the recurrence of urinary tract infections compared to women taking a placebo. Other preliminary trials in humans suggest cranberry may help people with urostomies and enterocystoplasties to keep their urine clear of mucus buildup and possibly reduce the risk of UTIs. However, one trial found that cranberry did not reduce the risk of UTIs in children with neurogenic bladder disease (a condition that does not allow for proper flow of urine from the bladder) who were receiving daily catheterization.
How to Use It
One capsule of concentrated cranberry juice extract (400 mg) can be taken two times per day. Several 16-ounce (500 ml) glasses of high-quality unsweetened cranberry juice from concentrate each day approximate the effect of the cranberry extract. Cranberry tincture, 1/2–1 teaspoon (3–5 ml) three times per day, can also be taken.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Welcome to Care Circle, an exclusive tool to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Here's how it works:
- Create profiles for yourself and your loved ones.
- Select the topics and conditions that interest each of you.
- Get customized news updates, original content, tools, and expert advice for each Care Circle member delivered directly to your personalized homepage.
The information you input is strictly private; you choose who has access to your Care Circle.
How do I add myself or someone else to my care circle?
Click on "Add someone." Fill out the short profile. Choose an avatar. Select the topics and conditions that interest this person from the pulldown menu. You can select as many as you want, but you must choose at least one. Click on "Add Someone" again. You should start getting updates immediately.
How do I save content to my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab of the person for whom you're saving content. Put your cursor over the piece of content that you want to save; a disk icon will appear in the righthand corner. Click on the disk and the piece of content will be moved to a save folder.
How do I add additional topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Add More to Follow," select additional topics and conditions.
How do I delete topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Follows," scroll over the topic or condition you want to delete. An "X" should appear on the righthand side. Click on the "X" and the topic or condition will be deleted from the list.
To manage your Care Circle, Please
Sign In.
from
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
- After chemo hair loss, 'henna crowns' help heal
The iVillage Network