Cranberry (36 mg PAC) for urinary tract health | SFI Health

Vaccinium macrocarpon was first recognised for its urinary health benefits in the 1800s.¹ Today, cranberry supplements are commonly used to help reduce the frequency of recurrent cystitis.

Because of this, there are many types of cranberry supplements in the form of juices, capsules, tablets and gummies. Each of these supplements can contain various amounts of cranberry, but also varying amounts of an active compound called proanthocyanidins (PACs). The amount of PACs in a cranberry supplement has been shown to have an impact on the anti-adhesion activity against harmful bacteria.²

Concentrated cranberry extracts containing a standardised amount of PACs have been clinically shown to prevent harmful bacteria attaching to the urinary tract allowing it to be flushed out naturally in the urine.3-5

Ellura contains a scientifically formulated extract of cranberry with a standardised dose of 36 mg of PACs in every capsule. In clinical studies, Ellura has been shown to support urinary tract health and to help reduce the frequency of recurrent cystitis. 3-5

Discover more about the scientifically formulated extract of cranberry used in SFI Health Ellura and key studies that support its benefits.

Vaccinium macrocarpon in history

Vaccinium macrocarpon, commonly known as American cranberry is native to North America and grown across tens of thousands of acres throughout the United States and Canada.⁶

More about Vaccinium macrocarpon in history

Historically, cranberry has been used for a number of wide-ranging health benefits including digestive complaints but it’s most known for its role in helping to reduce the frequency of recurrent cystitis.⁶

Cranberries are sometimes referred to as a “super food” because of their nutritional content, particularly because they naturally contain antioxidants. PACs are one of the antioxidant compounds found in cranberries that can help to prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract when taken at a highly concentrated dose. In order for PACs to have this therapeutic effect, it is recommended to consume at least 36 mg of PACs.^2,7

Specific cranberry extract used in Ellura

Cranberry supplements are not necessarily created equally. Different products can contain varying amounts of an active ingredient known as proanthocyanidins (PACs). As the PACs contained in cranberry are so fragile, they can be easily degraded by heat or oxidation.

More about proanthocyanidins (PACs)

That’s why the production process is essential in preserving the concentration of PACs in the finished product.⁸ That’s why in SFI Health Ellura a specialised process is used to ensure the recommended dose of 36 mg of PACs is in every capsule of Ellura.

In addition, it is suggested that before the DMAC* method was established as a PACs analysis method, the level of strength of any product could possibly be over- or under-estimated depending on how PAC content was measured.^8,9

DMAC is a scientifically validated method that was created to standardise the cranberry industry worldwide to know just how much PACs is in each product. ⁸

In 2013, a study was conducted to test the PACs content of 11 different cranberry supplements using the DMAC method. The results suggested that available cranberry supplements at the time had varying levels of PACs when tested using the DMAC method. While Ellura was found to meet the 36 mg recommended dose of PACs.¹⁰

Clinical research has shown that the daily consumption of 36 mg of PACs from cranberry can help reduce the frequency of recurrent cystitis.^3-6Therefore it is important to ensure the product you take has 36 mg of PACs in the dose so you can more feel more confident it will have the same results as in the research.

Ellura is a concentrated cranberry extract that is standardised to provide the recommended 36 mg of PACs in each one-a-day capsule.

*4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC)

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional. If pain or irriation persists for more than 48 hours, consult your healthcare professional. The presence of blood in the urine warrants immediate medical attention.

Specific cranberry extract used in Ellura

Research on how our specific cranberry extract works

The most common culprit of recurrent cystitis is a harmful bacteria called E. coli which can multiply and attach to the urinary tract wall.¹¹ There is evidence to suggest that PACs in cranberry work by helping to prevent harmful E.coli bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract wall.².

Ways to prevent recurrent cystitis

Researchers propose a number of ways that PACs could prevent this bacterial adhesion. One possible way is by the PACs binding to the tips of E.coli bacteria, preventing adhesion to the urinary tract wall which then allows the bacteria to be flushed out in the urine.¹²

Research on how our specific cranberry extract works

Clinical studies on cranberry extracts with 36 mg PACs

The benefits of cranberry for urinary tract health are supported by both traditional and clinical evidence. A number of research studies including those featured in the table below have been conducted on cranberry concentrated extracts with the standardised recommended dose of 36mg PACs.

Uberos et al. 2012

192 children aged 1 month – 13 years with a history of recurrent cystitis* over 12 months

Positive results

with a history of recurrent cystitis

Is a viable option for helping to reduce the frequency of recurrent cystitis

*0.2mL/kg of cranberry syrup (36 mg PACs)

Uberos et al, Open Access Journal of Clinical Trials 2012; 4;31–38.

Bianco et al. 2012

80 elderly females living in a nursing home* over 1 month

Dose dependent trend to toward decrease

for elderly females living in a nursing home

harmful bacteria usually responsible for recurrent cystitis

*Cranberry capsules; 3x (108 mg PACs), 2x (72 mg PACs) or 1x (36 mg PACs) daily; or placebo daily

Bianco et al, JAGS June 2012; 60(6):1180-1.

Botto et al. 2010

15 elderly patients with 33 months* of treatment^†

Significant decrease

after 33 months of treatment

urine samples with harmful bacteria rate of recurrent cystitis symptoms

*the median time of treatment with Ellura (36 mg PACs)

Botto & Neuzillet, Scand J Urol Nephrol 2010. Apr;44(3):165-8.

Howell et al. 2010

32 adult female patients* over 24 hours

Significant results

vs. placebo for:

bacterial anti-adhesion activity in urine samples collected from participants^

*Cranberry capsules;18mg or 36 mg of PACs; or placebo

^{^}measured ex vivo (not in the body)

Howell AB et al, BMC Infectious Diseases 2010; 94:1-11.

SFI Health Difference

Cranberry vs. Ellura with 36 mg PACs

There may be several products on the market labeled as containing a particular ingredient – such as cranberry. So what makes our cranberry extract in Ellura different?

Natural healthcare products can vary considerably depending on how they are produced. Ellura follows a meticulous production process with careful consideration to ensure a consistent form and quantity of PACs in every batch.

Ellura is made from the pure juice concentrate of the American cranberry. Based on years of research, a proprietary production process has been developed that removes the seeds, stems and skins of cranberry. This ensures you get consistently high levels of the active ingredient PACs. 36 mg of PACs is the recommended dose demonstrated to help to flush away harmful bacteria.

The SFI Health Source to Patient philosophy helps to ensure that Ellura is:

High quality with the optimal amount of bioactive PACs
Consistently reliable, batch after batch
Researched in clinical studies

That means, you can be confident that the Ellura product you are getting contains the same ingredient, in the same amounts that has demonstrated benefits for urinary tract health in clinical research.

Ellura with 36 mg PACs: A Summary

36mg of PACs per capsule

Which is the amount of bioactive PACs that has been researched and recommended worldwide.²

Clinically researched

To support urinary tract health by helping to prevent harmful bacteria’s ability to attach to the urinary tract wall, allowing it to be flushed out naturally in the urine.²

Consistent Quality

Rigorous processes, quality controls and extensive testing help ensure that our concentrated cranberry extract is the same as that tested in clinical research.

Well tolerated and recommended worldwide

to support urinary tract health and help to reduce the frequency of recurrent cystitis.

Our source to patient philosophy

We make sure our natural medicines are consistent.

Not only do the clinical studies on our products demonstrate real health outcomes, they demonstrate the results you can expect from the same products you see on shelf. It’s all part of our Source to Patient philosophy.

See the steps taken to make our products

References

Braun, L & Cohen, M (eds). Herbs and Natural Supplements: An evidence-based guide. 2014; 138.
Howell AB et al, BMC Infectious Diseases 2010; 94:1-11.
Uberos et al. Open Access Journal of Clinical Trials 2012; 4;31–38.
Bianco et al. JAGS June 2012; 60(6):1180-1.
Botto & Neuzillet, Scand J Urol Nephrol 2010. Apr;44(3):165-8.
World Health Organization. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants Volume 4. World Health Organization. Geneva, 2009.
Jepson RG et al. Cochrane Collaboration 2012; 10.
Prior RL et al. J Agric Food Chem 2001; 49:1270-1276. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3966
Standardized Testing Method for Cranberry Products. Available at: https://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-73397.html Accessed October 2018.
Agrobio Laboratories, Report on proanthocyanidins of cranberry products in Australia, 2013.
Mayo Clinic. Cystitis Overview available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371306?p=1 Accessed October 2018.
Foo et al. J Nat Prod 2000, 63:1225-1228.

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)