Probiotics Shown to Reduce UTI Recurrence

27% of women experience recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs). Antibiotics are the most common treatment but antibiotic resistance can become a serious issue. Now a recent study suggests that taking probiotics may half the number of UTIs women experience without the risk of increasing antibiotic resistance.

Over a one year period, 252 postmenopausal women took either a strain of probiotics or antibiotics. At the end of the study, the participants who took the probiotic halved the number of self-reported UTIs. However, the probiotics were still 13.8% less effective than the antibiotics at preventing recurring UTIs.

The researchers were based at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The study was published in the May 2012 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Probiotics are most commonly known for improving digestion and gut health, but they have also been linked to other health benefits, including weight loss, a stronger immune system, and a reduced risk of chronic disease.

Probiotics can be found naturally in many foods, such as yogurt, milk and sauerkraut. You may also consider taking a high quality supplement but make sure it is packaged to block light, air and moisture which can easily kill probiotics.