D-Mannose is a popular health ingredient associated with urinary tract infections, alongside cranberries and probiotics
In empirical medicine, what are the benefits of D-mannose? Whether there are side effects of D-mannose is detailed in the text analysis
What is D-Mannose?
D-mannose is a monosaccharide structurally associated with glucose that is involved in numerous metabolic processes, especially in the glycosylation of certain proteins, and plays an important role in many tissues and organs.
In nature it is found in animals, plants and microorganisms. Some fruits and vegetables contain small amounts of D-mannose, including: cranberries, apples, oranges, peaches, cauliflower, mung beans.
What are the proven benefits of D-mannose?
1. D-Mannose relieves urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infection is a general term that describes any infection involving any part of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Adult women are 30 times more likely to develop urinary tract infections than men (annual incidence is 10.8%), and 60% of women have at least one episode in their lifetime.
Associated risk factors include sexual activity, use of urinary catheters or spermicides, and a history of recurrent urinary tract infection.
A pilot study (6-month study of 45 women aged 18 to 65 years with acute uncomplicated cystitis) found that oral D-mannose significantly improved most symptoms (eg, dysuria, frequent urination, urgency, pubic pain, tenesmus, nocturia) and quality of life compared with baseline scores. Note 1
In addition, recurrence rates in the D-mannose treatment group and the untreated group were 4.5% and 33.3%, respectively.
The possible mechanism of action behind it is related to inhibition of bacterial adhesion to urine epithelial cells.
*Conclusion: Oral D-mannose may be of positive help in alleviating urinary tract infection, but more randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm its clinical benefit due to small sample sizes
2. D-mannose reduces the chance of recurrent urinary tract infections
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections are 6 episodes of acute bacterial cystitis with associated symptoms in the past 2 months, or 1 episodes in the past 3 year. Recurrent urethritis is common in women.
The lifetime prevalence of symptomatic UTIs in women is estimated to be over 50%, with approximately 6% of women relapsing at 26 months follow-up after initial treatment.
Most recurrent urethritis has no long-term sequelae and can recover completely. Some factors associated with poor prognosis may include: age, recent urinary tract testing, recent hospitalization or antibiotic therapy, previous diabetes, sickle cell anemia, or chronic kidney disease.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including three studies of recurrent UTIs) found that D-mannose has a protective effect against recurrent UTIs compared with placebo, and its effect is comparable to that of antibiotics. Note 2
In addition, D-mannose is extremely well tolerated, has low side effects, and only a few cases of diarrhea have been reported.
*Conclusion: For women with a history of urinary tract infection, the use of D-mannose may reduce the chance of subsequent recurrent infection, but limited by the small sample size, the relevant results still need more large studies to further verify
3. D-Mannose has prebiotic properties
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations currently defines prebiotics as “food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth or activation of one or more bacteria in the colon, thereby having a beneficial effect on the host.”
Fruits, vegetables, grains and other edible plants are potential sources of prebiotics, and other common synthetic sources are: galacto-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, soy oligosaccharides, inulin, cyclodextrin, glucose oligosaccharides, xylose oligosaccharides, lactulose, lactosucrose, isomalto-oligosaccharides.
An animal study pointed out that mannose can restore the composition and number of endogenous microorganisms under the condition of dysbacteriosis of experimental subjects. Note 3
*Conclusion: D-Mannose has a prebiotic effect and can help with gut health
4. D-Mannose is beneficial in congenital glycosylation disorders
Congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) is a class of genetic disorders characterized by defects in protein and lipid glycosylation, the most common subtype being PMM2-CDG, which has accounted for about 80% of all confirmed patients since it was described in 1980.
The clinical phenotype of PMM2-CDG ranges from mild to severe and can affect many organs, usually involving the central nervous system. Early clinical symptoms may include abnormal fat distribution, varus, strabismus, axial hypotonia, and hyporeflexia.
In addition to severe intellectual disability and other neurological abnormalities, critically ill patients develop dysplasia, bowel disease, liver dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities, and heart and kidney damage, with a mortality rate of about 20% in the first years of life.
A case study (5 months in a neonatal with severe congenital glycosylation disorder type Ia) noted that intravenous D-mannose (daily dose of 0.8 g/kg) did not observe any biochemical or clinical improvement. Note 4
*Conclusion: For patients with congenital glycosylation disorders, intravenous D-mannose has not confered positive help, and more studies are needed to further confirm whether there is clinical benefit
5. D-Mannose helps with weight loss
Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can be harmful to health, mainly due to poor diet and lack of physical activity, and involves an interaction between genetics, hormones, and the environment.
Over the past few decades, the prevalence of obesity has continued to rise worldwide, so it is considered an epidemic.
According to the World Health Organization, 39% of today’s society will be affected by obesity by 2035.
An animal study (in mice fed a high-fat diet) showed that D-mannose feeding had the effect of reducing weight gain, lowering fat, reducing hepatic steatosis, increasing endurance and maximum oxygen consumption, and improving glucose tolerance. Note 5
The mechanism behind it is related to regulating the host gut microbiota and promoting metabolism.
*Conclusion: Animal studies have pointed out that D-mannose can bring weight loss effect, but human studies are still needed to further verify
What is the dosage of D-Mannose?
There is currently no clinically established standard dose or frequency for urinary tract infections. The most commonly used dose is 500 to 2000 mg once or twice a day.
Each person’s response to dosage varies depending on the quality and purity of the product and the age, weight, and overall health of the user.
Are there any side effects of D-Mannose?
D-mannose is safe in appropriate doses for most well-established adults, but side effects or adverse effects have been reported as diarrhea, loose stools, stomach pain, dizziness, loss of appetite, tiredness, and bloating, especially at high doses.
Safety precautions (7 contraindications to use)
1. Do not use by pregnant and lactating women (due to unknown safety)
2. Long-term intake of too high doses may cause damage to the kidneys
3. Although D-mannose may be beneficial for urinary tract infections, the current evidence is not very strong, and those with related diseases should still consult a doctor first to avoid delaying the condition.
4. Since D-mannose is a form of sugar (which may stimulate insulin secretion), use it with caution if you are diabetic or taking hypoglycemic drugs, and monitor your blood sugar regularly
5. Do not use in combination with antibiotics: Pradimycin may affect the efficacy of the drug
6. Patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) have a higher chance of side effects after use, please pay attention
7. If you have been allergic to grains or fruits, please use with caution, it may induce allergic reactions
Where can I buy the highest quality D-Mannose that is recommended by most people?
| NOW Foods, Certified Organic D-Mannose Pure Powder, 3 oz (85 g) (Direct shipping from the United States / Worldwide delivery) |
Product Features： Now Foods is a well-known health care brand in the United States, with high sales rates in major channels Vegetarian food available GMP quality assurance Non-GMO | |
