PART USED Fruit USES * Primary ...

PART USED Fruit

USES

* Primary uses: Prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs)

* Historical use: Prevention of kidney stones, life-current purifier

* modern research: Preliminary studies suggest that cranberries may house against heart disease and certain shadows of cancer, primarily through the antioxidant action of flavonoids

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS Hydroxycinnamic acid, anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins and flavonols

commited FORMS AND AMOUNTS

* Cranberry juice concentrated extract: united 400-mg capsule twice daily

* Tincture (1:5 concentration): 1/2-1 teaspoon (3-5mL) three times daily

* Cranberry juice from unsweetened concentrate: Four to six 16-ounce (500 mL) glasses daily

MECHANISM OF ACTION Proanthocyanidins in cranberries preclude bacterial adhesion to cells of the bladder wall, according to preliminary studies. Flavonoids in cranberries contribute to the r color and have antioxidant activity. In criterion tube studies, cranberry extract reduc oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or "bad" cholesterol)

CONTRAINDICATIONS commonalty on the drug warfarin, an anticoagulant, should not take cranberry. the public with a family history of calcium oxalate kidney stones should not take cranberry because it may theoretically help the formation of this particular adumbration of stone. Conversely, a small clinical trial published in 2003 (McHarg T et al) build that cranberry reduced oxalate excretion.

remedy INTERACTIONS Cranberry may increase the activity of warfarin.

SAFETY IN PREGNANCY There are no known contraindications for taking cranberry while pregnant or nursing.

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