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Page 23
| Avoid sour foods, spices, citrus fruits, tomatoes, alcohol, caffeine and other central nervous system stimulants. |
| Eliminate overt bladder irritants, which may increase your discomfort, such as coffee, black tea and alcohol (particularly wine). Chocolate can also have a negative effect in some cases. |
| The following foods can also irritate an existing UTI: Apples, grapes, canned figs, raisins, peaches, pineapple, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, bananas, guavas, nectarines, avocados, chicken liver, brewer's yeast, soy sauce, fava beans, corned beef, nuts, chocolate, pickled herring, beer (especially dark), wine (especially red), vinegar, mayonnaise and fermented or cultured dairy products such as sour cream, yogurt and hard cheeses. After the UTI has passed, resume eating yogurt for its beneficial lactobacillus. |
| Drink large amounts of watereight ounces an hour. It will help flush the bacteria out of your system and will often reduce pain on urination. |
| While you are treating a UTI, eat a light diet consisting of grains, some vegetables and cranberry or blueberry juices. |
| Supplements, Nutritional and Otherwise |
| Vitamin C, either in tablet or powder, can irritate the bladder, and is best taken in a buffered form, such as calcium ascorbate. |
| Avoid vitamins containing aspartate, as it is a bladder irritant. |
| Do take: |
| Vitamin E400 to 600 IU/day |
| Vitamin B6300 mg/day |
| Potassium citrate and/or sodium citrate have long been employed in the treatment of lower urinary tract infections. Although they clearly alkalize the urine, not every- |
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