If you are a man or woman who has experienced bladder issues, take some consolation in knowing that you are not alone. Here is a look at what is involved in maintaining a healthy bladder, accompanied five supplements known to help promote proper bladder function and overall wellbeing.
A Word on Bladder Health
The bladder is one of the main organs of the urinary tract. It is a balloon-like organ responsible for storing urine after it is produced in the kidneys, and then transported there via tubes called ureters. When prompted by the nervous system, the bladder pushes urine through the urethra and out of the body during urination.
Although the bladder’s role is simple, health complications, such as those connected to urination, will occasionally pop up and can affect quality of life for sufferers. An overactive bladder, for instance, or urinary incontinence can arise due to health factors impacting the bladder. Constipation, pregnancy, diet issues, and other health matters can contribute to these issues. Separately, urinary tract infections (UTIs) can occur, causing swelling and inflammation in the bladder (cystitis). UTIs merit medical attention, and often treatment, such as with prescription antibiotics.
Sound lifestyle choices support the bladder and reduce risk of complications. For example, staying hydrated, watching your weight, and not holding in urine to the point that it is uncomfortable are all healthy choices. Because of these potential bladder complications, it is helpful to keep one or more bladder-healthy supplements in your health (medicine) cabinet. This is especially true if you have experienced bladder issues in the past.
Natural Remedies for Healthy Bladder Function
These following five supplements each possess different properties which could benefit the health and/or functioning of the bladder. Any one of these could be a worthwhile addition to healthy lifestyle choices in order to sustain bladder health:
Pumpkin seed oil: Pumpkin seed oil is a great natural option for reducing urinary issues. Pumpkin seeds are full of amino acids, minerals, and other healthful substances, and they have been studied for their effect on urinary health. Studies show that taking pumpkin seed oil can reduce the symptoms of an overactive bladder, as well as the complications from urinary incontinence. This includes stress-related incontinence in women.
Magnesium is an essential mineral with many roles in the body, including the bladder. Magnesium helps to regulate blood pressure, and it supports muscular and nervous system functioning. For these reasons, magnesium can reduce muscle spasms in the bladder, and therefore alleviate symptoms of incontinence. Supplementing with magnesium could improve bladder control and enable a more efficient emptying of their bladder.
Saw palmetto is an herbal remedy that has been shown to support urinary health in both men and women. Supplementing with saw palmetto daily for 12 weeks or more has been shown to correlate with reduced issues related to urination.
L-arginine is an amino acid that could support blood flow and muscle tone, and in turn, could help to reduce symptoms of an overactive bladder. Because of this benefit, L-arginine can be found as a standalone supplement which can be taken for bladder control.
D-mannose is a natural food found in some plants and available in concentrated form as a supplement because of its health benefits. D-mannose could support the bladder because it helps to prevent urinary tract infections. Many studies have been done on this topic, and d-mannose supplementation is proven to reduce symptoms of UTIs and even prevent them in the first place.
If you experience issues related to bladder control and urination, or are at risk of a UTI, then consider these five supplements for their beneficial effect on the bladder. They could make a meaningful contribution to bladder health. It’s recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before trying one of these natural remedies, such as to make sure they won’t conflict with any prescription medicine(s) you might be taking.