Maybe you’ve never heard of d-mannose in your life. Maybe you’ve heard your friend or coworker mention d-mannose in passing, but you have no idea what it is. Or, maybe your urologist or healthcare provider recommended d-mannose, but you still have some lingering questions.
No matter your level of familiarity, we‘re here to meet you where you are. This is all about d-mannose – what it is, what it does, how it may benefit you, and how you can work it into your daily routine.*
What is d-mannose?
D-mannose is a type of simple sugar that naturally occurs in your body, and it’s also found in fruits and vegetables. Over the years, d-mannose has risen in popularity, and now it’s available as a dietary supplement, too.
What does d-mannose do?
Research shows that d-mannose helps support urinary tract health.*
How?
Well, the urinary system is designed to keep bacteria out. But, sometimes bacteria sneak past its defenses and make themselves at home, usually in your bladder. When this happens, the only real solution is antibiotics.
So, prevention is key. Proper bathroom habits, sexual hygiene, and hydration go a long way to keep your urinary tract healthy. But, if you need extra support, that’s where d-mannose can step in.
Studies show that d-mannose helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract before they have the chance to stick to the bladder wall.*
How is d-mannose different from cranberry?
First, let’s refresh on cranberry:
Cranberry has been the go-to UTI prevention strategy for years.** Cranberries are rich in plant compounds called “soluble proanthocyanidins” (PACs), which prevent certain types of bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract.*
E-coli bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, and they have two main ways of adhering to the urinary tract:
- P-fimbriae
- Type 1 fimbriae
P- and type 1 fimbriae are tiny ‘hair-like’ structures that bacteria use to stick to the urinary tract lining. Cranberry defends mainly against bacteria with p-fimbriae, although it may also target type 1 fimbriae as well, while d-mannose offers protection against bacteria with type 1 fimbriae.*
Can you take d-mannose and cranberry together?
D-mannose and cranberry aren’t in competition with each other – they're more like teammates. Taking them together helps flush bacteria in two unique ways, offering the most broad-spectrum protection.*
So, if you feel your defenses have been lacking lately, consider adding both d-mannose and cranberry to your daily routine.*
What should you look for in a d-mannose supplement?
Like most dietary supplements, not all d-mannose products are created equal. So, there are a few things to consider when you’re choosing the best d-mannose supplement for you.
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Dose. Research suggests 2,000 mg of d-mannose per day is effective to support urinary tract health.* So, look for a d-mannose supplement that provides this dose of d-mannose each day.
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Purity. What’s on the supplement facts label should match what’s in the product. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Be sure to choose a d-mannose supplement that’s independently tested by a trusted third-party organization like NSF® International or USP®.
- Form. D-mannose supplements are available in powder or capsule form. While some prefer capsules, powder offers a pill-free formulation that also encourages adequate hydration when mixed with water, which is key for urinary tract health.*
Your urinary tract health relies heavily on your day-to-day habits. In addition to healthy hygiene and hydration, consider d-mannose for extra support.* And for the most broad-spectrum protection, pair it with a high-quality cranberry supplement.*