D-Mannose

Chemically, D-mannose is a sugar that is a natural ingredient in many different fruits and vegetables. But because of their antibacterial properties and ability to treat metabolic diseases, they are one of the most commonly consumed food supplements in the world.

Structurally, mannose is closer to glucose than anything else. Its most common uses include treating Urinary Tract Infections and carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome, which is a genetically transmitted metabolic disease. Unlike antibiotics that kill the bacteria, mannose removes the bacteria from the urinary bladder by impeding its ability to stick to the bladder walls. As this does not have any side effect on the body, mannose is being increasingly used as an alternative for antibiotics to treat bladder infections.

A guide to D-mannose

E-coli bacteria are responsible for ninety per cent of urinary tract infections or UTIs. They reproduce in the urinary tract by sticking on to the walls of the bladder, thus causing the painful infection. D-mannose is effective in treating the bacterial infection in the bladder by removing the bacteria through urine. But there is more to know about these supplements. In this article, you will also find some really useful tips that you can follow while shopping for this category of supplements. Having knowledge of the benefits and usage of this supplement will be of great use if you are planning to get it.

Benefits of D-mannose

The main use of this supplement is to treat a rare genetic disease called carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome type 1b. People suffering from this metabolic disease tend to lose protein through their digestive system. Taking D-mannose shows a reduction in protein loss and improvement in patients with low blood sugar level. There have been clinical trials that also show that this medicine is useful against urinary tract infections. Because this medicine tends to disable bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls, it prevents bacterial growth in them.

Natural sources of D-mannose

Unlike antibiotics that actively kill the growth of bacteria, D-mannose does that passively. Many fruits have this simple sugar in high quantities. Oranges, apples, blueberries, cranberries, and peaches are good sources of it. Apart from these, D-mannose is also present in vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and green beans. It is also found in human cells. Although it chemically resembles a glucose molecule in structure, the human digestive system absorbs it much slower than glucose. Therefore, D-mannose has a lower glycemic index.

Side effects of D-mannose

There is no evidence for any serious side effects in adults because of D-mannose. But in some people, it can cause some minor issues like diarrhoea. Although there is no evidence for any negative effects in pregnant women, there is not enough evidence to say that it is completely safe either. So, it is better to stay on the safer side and avoid taking it if you are pregnant. Because this compound is a sugar, it does seem to make it difficult to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. But for healthy adults, there is no harm in taking it.

Different forms of D-mannose

D-mannose supplements are available as powders and tablets. The purest form of D-mannose is powder supplements. D-mannose powder usually is a hundred per cent D-mannose. Whereas in D-mannose tablets, there are other additives that help to make it into a tablet form. Usually, capsules will have cellulose in the outer structure of the capsules, rice flour, stearic acid that keeps those tablets from sticking to each other etc. But you should also consider the convenience of using the supplement as well. It is probably easier to carry a bottle of tablets with you when you are travelling.