Natural Food Supplements

• Fatty Acids
• Fiber and Psyllium Husk
• Acidophilus
• Garlic
• Glucosamine & Chondroitin
• Freeze Dried Aloe Vera
• MSM (DMSO-2)

Essential fatty acids are classified in to two categories, omega-3 and omega-6, when both the omega-3 and omega-6 EFA are combined they are known as polyunsaturated fats.

Omega-3 EFA includes linoleic acids and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which are found in legumes, nuts, unsaturated vegetable oils, sesame oil, soybean oil, borage oil, grape seed oil and corn oil and evening primrose oil

Omega-6 EFA includes eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA). These are primarily found in marine animals, cold-water fish, canola oil and flaxseed oil.

*reference: Granunum R. Sant , "Interstitial Cystitis" Chapter 25; 210

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Fiber

Fiber is divided into two categories, each having it's own function: water-insoluble and water-soluble. Water-soluble fibers dissolve in water. They help in lowering cholesterol and improve glucose levels. Foods included in water-soluble fibers are oats, oatmeal, beans, and legumes. Water-insoluble fibers do not dissolve in water. They speed up intestinal transit, help in preventing constipation and help in stimulating the bowel for proper evacuation. Food included in water in-soluble fibers are, bran, oats, whole grains, fruits, rice, vegetables, and barley.

It is recommended that when introducing fiber into your daily diet that you do it gradually to avoid abdominal problems such as bloating, diarrhea and gas. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends a diet containing 20-35 grams of fiber a day.

As IC patients, we are all aware of the effects that constipation or diarrhea can play on the bladder. Whether it be from food sensitivity, irritable bowel syndrome or medications, it can cause pelvic pain, urgency and frequency. Including fiber in our diets can be very beneficial. IC friendly foods that contain fiber include: whole grains, bran, oatmeal, brown rice/white rice, nuts, lentils, peas, fresh raw vegetables, potatoes with skins, unsalted and unbuttered popcorn.

Dietary fiber supplements are available and are often used by IC patients. Metamucil®, which is made from the husks of psyllium, is one of the most popular dietary fiber supplements used. Psyllium works as a stool softener, intestinal cleaner, natural bulk laxative and removes toxins from the intestines. It also encourages the growth of healthful, "friendly" intestinal bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. For those who find Metamucil too sweet or expensive, plain psyllium husk is available at most health food stores. It is inexpensive and taken as easily as psyllium.

Click Here to See A Great Dietary Fiber Chart

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Acidophilus

Acidophilus performs many important functions in the body. It has antifungul properties and helps in treatment and/or prevention of yeast overgrowth, such as candida. It helps in the prevention of urinary tract infections and the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

Antibiotic therapy kills both the good and bad bacteria causing an imbalance and secondary infections such as yeast. Acidophilus helps in restoring/recolonizing the good bacteria so that normal flora is regained. Irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea can also be helped by acidophilus. Acidophilus helps in proper digestion and also protects the body against digestive orders by replenishing the good bacteria and inhibiting the harmful bacteria. In these cases, the intestinal microorganisms are washed out of the gastrointestinal track, leaving susceptibility to other infections by the growth of other bacteria's that can contribute to diarrhea and IBS.

Yeast overgrowth can occur not only in the intestine, but also in the bladder, the sinuses and other parts of the body. Yeast infections in the bladder can be quite painful and feel like IC. Acidophilus can help keep healthy bacteria in the urinary tract by reintroducing "friendly" flora to the environment reducing the recurrence rate of lower urinary tract infections.

Research Studies

• Probiotic Therapy and Functional Foods for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections: State of the Art and Science.
• Bacterial interference for prevention of urinary tract infection: an overview.

A blood test is available to test for possible superficial and subcutaneous yeast infections. If you are concerned that you may have an over growth of yeast, contact your medical care provider for this simple blood test "serum candida antigen."

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Garlic

As a natural antibiotic, garlic is effective against many strains of bacteria and parasites. It also stimulates the body's natural defenses against foreign invaders. It is believed that garlic achieves its antibiotic action through a by-product (produced by crushing or bruising the bulb) called allicin. Research shows that one medium garlic bulb is the equivalent to 1% penicillin. Research also shows that is has a broad-spectrum antibacterial action against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Garlic was used as an antibiotic prior to the discovery of penicillin and sulfur drugs.

Garlic also has antifungul properties and has shown to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Garlic has been used in the treatment of systemic candidiasis and vaginal yeast (candida). William G. Crook, MD., author of The Yeast Connection, states "Garlic possesses a broad antifungul activity, both on apgar plates and broth. Nystatin nor amphotericin B displayed such a high activity as garlic juice."

IC Friendly Recipes

• Roasted Garlic
  
• Broccoli with Garlic & Olive Oil
  
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  
• Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Dressing
  

Research Studies:

• Ajoene, a natural product with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-like properties?
• A Commentary on the Effects of Garlic Extraction and Formulation on Product Composition.
• Effects of Garlic Preparations on the Gastrointestinal Mucosa.
• Protection against Helicobacter pylori and Other Bacterial Infections by Garlic.
• Immunomodulatory Effects of Aged Garlic Extract.
• Enhanced Immunocompetence by Garlic: Role in Bladder Cancer and Other Malignancies.
• Antioxidant Health Effects of Aged Garlic Extract.

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Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Glucosamine is a major building block of proteoglycans. It stimulates cartilage cells to synthesize glycosaminoglycans GAG's (mucopolysaccharides). Glucosamine is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Chondroitin is also one of the products necessary for the forming of glycosaminoglycans but, more importantly, it plays an important role in combating and reducing the destructive enzymes that can attack glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans.

Research Studies:

• Vascular heparan sulfates may limit the ability of leukocytes to penetrate the endothelial barrier--implications for use of glucosamine in inflammatory disorders.
• Glucosamine may retard atherogenesis by promoting endothelial production of heparan sulfate proteoglycans.
• Characterization of the Heparin-Binding Properties of IL-6.
• Recent advances in the study of the biosynthesis and functions of sulfated glycosaminoglycans.
• An investigation of the nature of bladder mucosal glycoconjugates and their role in interstitial cystitis.
  
• A deficit of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans on the bladder uroepithelium in interstitial cystitis.
• Identification of proteoglycans present at high density on bovine and human bladder luminal surface.

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MSM-(DMSO-2)

MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound and dietary derivative of DMSO. It is found in the tissues & fluids of all living entities as a biological form of natural sulfur. Sulfur aids in the acid/alkaline balance, which promotes regeneration of the body's tissues. It is needed for production of collagen and is an important factor in the formation of cartilage and connective tissues. When the body is not receiving proper amounts of sulfur, symptoms such as gastrointestinal disturbances, allergies and weakened immune systems can occur.

MSM is available in a variety of foods, including fresh raw fruits and vegetables, milk, meat, seafood, and some grains. MSM is short-lived and is easily lost during even moderate processing such as cooking and long-term storage.

Even though scientific research on the role of MSM as a possible treatment for IC is not yet available, other studies suggest that it can aid in inflammation. It appears to permit muscles and joints to heal more rapidly, plays a role in collagen synthesis, stimulates immune function and is essential in the regeneration and nourishment of healthy cells.

(Methylsulfonylmethane), a nutritional dietary supplement recently has become a widely discussed subject in the IC community, also known as DMSO-2, particularly due to the fact that Dr. Stanley Jacob, the father of the DMSO (one of the only two drugs FDA approved in the USA for treatment of Interstitial Cystitis) has been doing extensive research onMSM and its benefits in the treatment of Interstitial Cystitis.

Scientific Studies:

LIGNISUL MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE ATHLETIC INJURIES and LIGNISUL MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) A DOUBLE BLIND STUDY OF ITS USE IN DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS (please click on link "Press Room" to "Scientific Studies)

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