Urinary System

Question 1

Urinary Functions

Answer 1

• Filter and eliminate wastes (especially nitrogenous wastes such as urea)
• Regulate acid/base balance
• Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
• Regulate blood volume and pressure (e.g., via renin), Regulate blood glucose
• Activate vitamin D
• Provide erythropoietin

Question 2

Kidney Health: Nutritional considerations

Answer 2

Hydration
Moderate salt intake
High Protein Diets: urea, creatinine, uric acid = ↑ kidney demand. Causes an increase in GFR

Question 3

Cloudy Urine

Answer 3

Infection

Question 4

Frothy urine

Answer 4

Proteinuria

Question 5

UTI

Answer 5

Inflammation due to infection anywhere in the urinary tract, ranging from the distal urethra to the kidney.
* UTI in the kidney is called pyelonephritis; in the
bladder, cystitis; and in the urethra, urethritis.
* 80 to 90% of UTIs relate to uropathogenic Escherichia coli ( UPEC).

Question 6

UTI: Signs and symptoms

Answer 6

• Cystitis: Dysuria, frequent / urgent urination, foul smelling / cloudy urine, haematuria
• Urethritis: Dysuria, discharge, itching penis
• Pyelonephritis: Fever, chills, nausea, malaise, mild to extremely severe back/side pain, blood or pus in urine. May be accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms. This is a red flag seek medical attention.

Question 7

UTI: Causes and risk factors

Answer 7

• Women
• Menopause - low oestrogen = ↓ vaginal mucus
• Pregnancy - incomplete voiding.
• Sexual activity
• Elderly
• BPH
• Antibiotics
• Dysbiosis
• Gut-vagina-bladder-axis

Question 8

UTI: Avoid

Answer 8

• Simple sugars and refined carbohydrates:
• Caffeine, diet soft drinks and alcohol.
• Red meat, pork and poultry can act as reservoir for uropathogenic E. coli . Can also promote inflammation (arachidonic acid).

Question 9

UTI: Include

Answer 9

• CNM Naturopathic Diet
• Prebiotic and probiotic foods
• Water
• Cranberry 15-30 ml unsweetened 100% (undiluted) juice daily or 500 mg powder 3x day.
  It’s proanthocyanins ↓ bacterial adhesion to the bladder epithelium.

Question 10

UTI: Supplements

Answer 10

D-Mannose
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Zinc
Lactobaccillus

Question 11

UTI: D-Mannose

Answer 11

Dose: 500mg every 2 hours 3-5 days

• Physical coating that prevents E.coli binding to the urothelium.
• Shows benefit in treatment and prevention of recurrent UTIs.

Question 12

UTI: Vitamin A

Answer 12

Dose: 5000 iu/day

Mucous membrane integrity
Epithelial support
Lymphatic tissue

Question 13

UTI: Vitamin C

Answer 13

Dose: 500-5000mg

Immune regulation
Epithelial lining

Question 14

UTI: Vitamin D

Answer 14

Antimicrobial substances
Innate immunity

Question 15

UTI: Zinc

Answer 15

Dose: 15mg - preventative, up to 60g in acute

Immunomodulatory

Question 16

UTI: Lactobacillus

Answer 16

Suppress pathogenic colonisation

Question 17

UTI: Herbs

Answer 17

Crataeva
Bearberry
Cornsilk