BREAKING BARRIERS IN UTI CARE: INTEGRATING NUTRITION FOR LONG-LASTING RELIEF FROM UTIs

HOW NUTRITIONAL APPROACHES ARE TRANSFORMING UTI CARE

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at the ‘Female Frontier’ event at the Royal College of GPs in London. The event brought together urologists, microbiologists, gynaecologists, and nurse practitioners, where I shared my expertise on nutrition for urinary health and presented a case study that demonstrated the power of simple, science-backed dietary and lifestyle changes. My talk focused on shifting the perspective on urinary tract infections (UTIs) and why a more integrative approach is crucial for long-lasting relief.

The event also coincided with International Women’s Week, making it an especially significant moment as we discussed innovations in healthcare tailored to women’s needs. One of the most exciting developments highlighted during the event was the official launch of Luja, a new female catheter that offers an advanced solution to reduce the risk of catheter-associated UTIs. If you’re a someone currently undergoing bladder instillations, read on!

A CASE STUDY: LEAH’S JOURNEY

One of the highlights of my presentation was Leah’s case study, which I have previously shared in this blog post. Leah had been battling recurrent UTIs for years, caught in a cycle of antibiotic treatments that provided temporary relief but never truly resolved her symptoms. Through a few simple yet effective dietary swaps, we were able to address the root causes of her urinary issues and support her body’s natural defences.

NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES FOR UTI SUPPORT

A key aspect of Leah’s success story involved incorporating foods rich in D-mannose, a naturally occurring sugar that helps prevent harmful bacteria like E. coli from sticking to the bladder lining, reducing the risk of infection. I also highlighted the latest research on cranberry extract, particularly the 2023 Cochrane Review, which confirmed its effectiveness in preventing E. coli infections:

Women with recurrent UTIs experienced a 26% reduction in risk.
Children with prior infections had a 56% reduction in risk.
People undergoing bladder interventions saw a 53% reduction in risk.

These findings reinforce the importance of using targeted, research-backed interventions to prevent UTIs, without an over-reliance on antibiotics alone.

RETHINKING UTI TREATMENTS: SUPPORTING THE URINARY MICROBIOME

Another crucial part of my talk was the role of the urinary microbiome. Instead of focusing solely on eliminating bacteria, we need to consider how a balanced microbiome supports long-term relief. Beneficial bacteria in the bladder and vaginal microbiomes are a key player in our immune defences because they:

Produce lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and antibacterial peptides that naturally suppress harmful bacteria.
Compete with uropathogens for attachment sites, preventing infection.
Strengthen the bladder’s mucosal lining, which acts as the first line of defence.
Reduce the side effects of antibiotics and help replenish good bacteria when antibiotics are necessary.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: INTEGRATING MEDICAL AND NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES

A key takeaway from my presentation was that antibiotics alone are often not enough. The conventional approach aims for sterility of the bladder with antibiotics, but we now know that the bladder is not meant to be sterile. If we don’t support the environment of the bladder and vaginal microbiome, infections keep returning, or symptoms continue to flare.

A more comprehensive strategy could include:

Anti-adherent support (like D-mannose and cranberry proanthocyanins)
Immune modulation (supporting the body’s natural defences)
Flora modulation (restoring and maintaining beneficial bacteria in the gut, bladder, and vaginal microbiomes)

*(IC users: referring to ‘intermittent urinary catheter’ users).*

LAUNCHING LUJA: A GAME-CHANGER IN CATHETER CARE

A major highlight of the Female Frontier event was the official launch of Coloplast’s Luja, a new female catheter designed specifically to reduce the risk factors associated with catheter use such as:

Urethral trauma
Bladder microtrauma
Residual urine
Non-hygienic technique.

Catheter users typically experience 2-3 UTIs per year, but with Luja’s unique design, the risk of infection is significantly lowered, and comfort during catheterisation is greatly improved.

For those undergoing bladder instillations, Luja may provide a much-needed alternative to traditional catheters that often come with discomfort, increased damage to the urethral lining, and increased infection risk. Be sure to speak with your urology nurse to see if it’s the right option for you.

Here are some of the standout benefits of Luja:

Reduces the risk of catheter-associated UTIs: Luja helps prevent issues like residual urine left behind after catheterisation, which can lead to infections.
No need for repositioning: Unlike traditional catheters, Luja doesn’t need to be adjusted, ensuring your bladder empties fully each time, which is essential to prevent infections.
Gentle on the urinary epithelial lining: Traditional catheters can scrape off epithelial cells, creating areas where infection can take hold. Luja avoids this, providing better protection for the bladder.
Prevents sediment build-up: With traditional catheters, sediment (including bacteria, red blood cells, yeast, white blood cells, epithelial cells) can get stuck at the bladder neck, which increases the risk of infection. Luja helps prevent this, reducing infection risks.
Comfortable and user-friendly for women: Luja is designed with female comfort in mind, offering a more comfortable catheterisation experience than traditional options.

The Female Frontier event provided an incredible platform to discuss the evolving science of UTI treatment. It’s time to move beyond the outdated idea of simply killing all bacteria and instead focus on creating an environment that promotes resilience and long-term urinary health. By combining targeted nutritional support, microbiome balance, with maintstream medical approaches, we can help more women break free from the cycle of recurrent UTIs.

If you’re struggling with persistent urinary symptoms and want to explore a different approach, my Heal Your Bladder programme is designed to help you identify what’s really at the heart of your painful peeing, find long lasting relief and find the freedom to love life again.

REAL-LIFE SUCCESS STORIES:

To show you what's possible when you focus on building resilience and supporting your body's natural defences through integrative strategies like nutrition, check out more success stories, here. And hear from a Heal your Bladder graduate, Gwen in this podcast episode.