D-Mannose is a type of sugar related to glucose, but is barely metabolized in the body. Instead, D-Mannose is excreted in the urine. On its way through the bladder, D-Mannose binds to the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and cystitis.

D-Mannose for urinary tract infections

D-Mannose (also called simply mannose) can help with urinary tract infections and cystitis and – together with other naturopathic measures – can often replace antibiotics with many side effects.

Urinary tract infections and cystitis are incredibly annoying. The bladder burns and hurts, especially when urinating—but often even when at rest.

The feeling of a full bladder just doesn’t go away, even though you can only ejaculate a few drops at a time on the toilet – and even then it’s painful.

Sometimes you can’t even sit down, the feeling in your abdomen is so unpleasant. It doesn’t take long before you go to the doctor. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the doctor prescribes antibiotics.

Otherwise, he warns, there is a risk of pyelonephritis if the bacteria ascend towards the kidney.

Natural alternatives for cystitis

But there are other – more tolerable – options. Many urinary tract infections and cystitis disappear with the holistic measures.

The great advantage of naturopathic healing methods is that, if applied consistently, they are at least as effective as antibiotics.

The big difference is that naturopathic treatments have no negative side effects and simultaneously strengthen the immune system, thus contributing to true healing. Re-infection is therefore significantly less likely to occur.

After antibiotic therapy, however, there is a risk that the immune system will be weakened due to the now affected intestinal flora, often leading to fungal infections (intestinal fungus and/or vaginal thrush) and, not infrequently and very soon to the next bladder infection.

D-Mannose works like antibiotics in prevention – only without side effects

In addition to the natural remedies for cystitis mentioned in the link above, D-mannose can also be used.

In some cases, mannose helps as well as antibiotics, has no side effects, and can even be used preventively to prevent cystitis from recurring.

It is a simple sugar – just like glucose (grape sugar) or fructose (fruit sugar).

Mannose also occurs naturally in food, but in significantly smaller quantities than the well-known simple sugars glucose and fructose.

Compared to glucose, mannose is absorbed very slowly, about 8 times slower than glucose. Only a small portion is metabolized.

The majority is excreted unchanged in the urine. And that’s precisely the big advantage. The D-mannose now flows directly with the blood to the kidneys and from there to the bladder.

Here, it binds to the bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli) responsible for most urinary tract infections (1). Bound to the mannose, the bacteria can no longer cling to the bladder wall. The culprits have no choice but to be flushed down the toilet with urine. During the course of mannose therapy, the urinary tract and bladder soon become bacteria-free and can finally heal.

* Here you can find D-Mannose in capsules

A safe prophylaxis

The preventive effect of D-mannose was confirmed in a clinical study in Croatia. The study was conducted at the Zabok General Hospital in Zabok and the Clinical Hospital Center in Zagreb:

308 women with acute cystitis volunteered to participate. All women had also had recurrent urinary tract infections in the past. After receiving standard antibiotic treatment, the women were divided into three groups.

For six months, Group 1 received 2 grams of D-mannose stirred in 200 ml of water daily. Group 2 received 50 mg of nitrofurantoin (an antibiotic) daily during the same period. Group 3 underwent no prophylactic measures and thus served as the control group.

A total of 98 of the women experienced a recurrence of cystitis during the study period. 62 of these women were in the control group. 21 women in the antibiotic group experienced a recurrence of cystitis, while only 15 women in the mannose group experienced this.

A total of almost 18 percent of patients in groups 1 and 2 complained of side effects, although this was much higher in the antibiotic group than in the mannose group.

The researchers concluded their study by saying that mannose is very effective in preventing urinary tract infections and cystitis – especially for people who suffer from recurring cystitis (2).

Of course, the use of this simple sugar is not limited to prophylaxis. It can also be used in conjunction with the treatment of acute or chronic cystitis and integrated into a holistic treatment program.

D-Mannose for a rare hereditary disease: CDG syndrome type 1

D-mannose could also be an effective treatment for the rare metabolic disorder CDG syndrome type 1. CDG stands for Congenital Disorders of Glycoprotein . Those affected by this so-called hereditary disorder of glycosylation suffer from very different symptoms, so no single clinical picture can be described. Multiple organs or just a single, specific organ may be affected.

D-mannose can be used as a dietary supplement in patients with CDG syndrome type 1 and appears to be able to compensate for the inability of fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) to glycosylate (3).

Effective for urinary tract infections and cystitis

However, the main uses of mannose are infections of the urinary tract and bladder. For people with frequent urinary tract infections, this simple sugar (together with other measures – see the link above under cystitis) is a way to break and end the cycle of recurring cystitis.

Mannose is also considered safe and free of side effects (4). It does not cause bloating or diarrhea, nor does it cause obesity or underweight. It does not alter blood sugar levels, and according to mouse studies, it does not affect breastfed offspring.

Capsules or powder

D-Mannose is available as a powder or capsules. You can choose the form you prefer. There’s no difference in effectiveness. If you choose mannose capsules with cranberry extract, the effects of mannose are enhanced by the protective effects of cranberry extract, which is traditionally used for cystitis and urinary tract infections.

* Here you can find D-Mannose in powder form

* Here you can find D-Mannose with Cranberry

D-Mannose protects the teeth

Since mannose in powder form inevitably comes into contact with the teeth when taken (for example, you stir the powder into shakes or use it to slightly sweeten drinks), we were asked whether this simple sugar is harmful to the teeth.

A 2016 study already tested this and found that mannose prevented the proliferation of caries bacteria (S. mutans) even in the presence of sugar. This inhibitory effect was even stronger than that of xylitol, which is considered a tooth-friendly sweetener.

When sugar is consumed, the pH of saliva drops, meaning it becomes acidic. D-mannose can inhibit the drop in saliva pH (5), which is also a very tooth-friendly property. So, if you want to add this simple sugar to drinks, there’s no risk to your teeth.