We all know it’s important to get enough nutrients in our diet. Many of you probably already take a multi-vitamin. But did you know that there are nutrients that may actually help, (or in some cases, hurt) your bladder health?
From calming bladder spasms to helping guard the pelvic floor muscles, vitamins may be just the thing you’re missing in your treatment plan. Of course, as with everything, there are conditions here. Some vitamins help with incontinence symptoms, but you need to be careful with dosing since higher doses may exasperate the issue. And, as with all vitamins, it’s best to get them straight from the source – food – rather than relying on supplements, which typically are not FDA-approved and have the potential to interact with other medications you may be taking.
Here’s the scoop on three essential vitamins and how they may (or may not) help control bladder leaks.
Vitamin C Found In Foods
A study done on vitamin c intake in 2060 women, aged 30-79 years of age found that high-dose intake of vitamin c and calcium were positively associated with urinary storage or incontinence, whereas vitamin C from foods and beverages were associated with decreased urinary urgency.
Good sources of Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, green and red peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, leafy greens, sweet and white potatoes, and tomatoes (including tomato juice!). But steer clear of high dose supplements to avoid aggravating an already leaky bladder.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is known to help with bone health, as well as the immune system, hearth health, blood sugar levels and mood regulation. Studies have also found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of pelvic floor disorders. And, in one study of older women, the risk of developing urinary incontinence was 45% lower among those with normal vitamin D levels.
The best way to get most of the vitamin D you need is from sun exposure, but it’s also found in many dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and eggs, fish and supplements.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps your body with a host of functions, including lowering high blood pressure, regulating mood, and helping to guard against Type 2 diabetes. It also ensures our muscles and nerves function properly, and some experts believe that it may help improve incontinence symptoms by reducing bladder muscle spasms, and allowing the bladder to empty.
Good sources of magnesium: bananas, avocados, black beans, cooked quinoa, certain fish, dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds.
An important note: While supplements can help if you’re just not able to get the proper nutrients from your diet, most experts agree that getting your vitamins and minerals from real food is best. Always try to eat as many fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein as your diet allows to ensure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you need. And if you decide to start taking a supplement, talk to your doctor first to make sure it won’t make your condition worse, or interact with any of your current medications.
17 Responses
Have BPH size 52 gm
Bladder holds about 200 ml and I have to pee. Sometimes more often.
How to stop frequent urination at night (3 times) ?
I have been dealing with this for what feels like forever. Please do a search on marijuana and how it can help painful and overactive bladder. It really has helped me. I tried Gemtesa and several other medications for bladder relief and all they did was dry my mouth out to the point that couldn’t even spit and cause other issues. Also an old tried and true drug, Elavil, has helped me more than any of the other drugs that are on the market that Ihave triedand mo whete near as expensive. I have actually had bladder cancer as well but I do not deal with incontinence just bladder spasms or painful bladder. These are the two things I have found that had helped me the most. Best of luck in your search.
I’m urinating 6 times every 24 hours, What medicine is best to stop my frequent peeing
I’m up 8-10 times a nite to pee. Had a turp nine months ago. I’ve had all kinds meds and now on second doctor for help. Taking baclofen
I need help before I loose it mentally
Up 6-10 times a nite
Leakage in day from 10-2
Need help badly
Hav tried many meds over the past nine
Months after a turp
Urinating 6 times in 24 hours is normal. “For most people, the normal number of times to urinate per day is between 6 – 7 in a 24 hour period. Between 4 and 10 times a day can also be normal if that person is healthy and happy with the number of times they visit the toilet.” If that’s more than you usually do, maybe some exercises or have your prostate checked out.
Hello. Anyone have ulcerative colitis (mostly C) and chronic interstitial cystitis and prolapsed bladder and maybe other organ prolapse and allergies to food/drinks and most meds? I’ve been in torture for most of the last year. And had a bad time with my second Covid in that year. Things took a turn for the worse after Covid with my stomach, colitis, and bladder (disease) a lot of pain with bladder and continually peeing. It’s impossible I think to go to dr-peeing every 2-5 minutes sometimes. How can I get examined? My bladder seems to get worse after BM & can last all day. Just so irritating! I never had pain with my IC before last year. I believe my colitis and prolapse has made it worse. It’s torture.
Any info on what a dr may do? I get so stressed going to doctors which makes bladder worse. And how will they examine me ? Thanks for any info.
A close friend of mine needs a help, she do urinate on bed 2-3 times of every month and she had been passing through this for decades now, she had tried to get solutions to this in so many ways but all to no avail. Just last week,she was told to get gemtesa but I told her to hold on and allow me to make research 1st… Sir/ma, in this case what can she do?
Heads-up to all the people posting questions as to what medicine to take for frequent urinaton: please re-read the article, specifically concerning magnesium. I have been having this issue for several weeks now l. Prior to reading this article, it occurred to .e I should be increasing my magnesium intake as I’d been having foot cramps. Usually i need to get up on the middle of the night to urinate and it disrupts my sleep. Last night was the first night in a LONG time that I didn’t get up at all to go to the bathroom. As a male, I’d been having trouble fully emptying my bladder along with a weak urine stream. All these concerns changed practically overnight after taking two tablets of magnesium orotate. I used to take only one and per the bottles instructions, said it up to two could be taken, preferably with food. I’d never taken two before until yesterday afternoon. Happy to say I urinate with much less frequency and I can empty my bladder in one go. While this is not a reason for men to avoid having their prostate checked, it is something to consider that one might be magnesium deficient just enough to cause frequent urination, lack of fully emptying the bladder along with a weak urine flow. Just be sure to follow the instructions as indicated on the particular bottle you have and do not go beyond what is recommended. I hope this helps!
I’m 67 and taking 50mg Myrbetric and 10mg of Vesicare and still have to pee all day long. The Myrbetric is over $300 dollars for a 90 day supply. My pads cost a fortune. I have began to wet the bed and pee 3 times a night. The Botox surgery lasted only 3 months. My life is limited to where the closest bathroom is. Am I damaging my kidneys with all this medication? These were supposed to be my Golden Years! Help me, please!
Try taking 2-3 tablespoons of milled flaxseed in 6 ozs of orange juice, almondmilk, or any liquid you desire and it will make a difference in the number of trips you make to the bathroom nightly. You should notice a change within a couple of weeks. Flaxseed has so many good properties when you take it daily for awhile, then you can switch to every other day. It can also help lower your bad cholesterol, and raise the good one. It’s great fiber for constipation also. You must drink it as soon as you mix it, or it will thicken tremendously, and be hard to swallow. You can always add more liquid to it. I advised my elderly mother, close friends, and anyone with many of the complaints on this forum of the benefits of using flaxseed. Those I discussed it with later all shared their success in using the product. Look up flaxseed and read all about it.
D-Mannose & magnesium supplements have helped me with frequent/urgent feeling to urinate. D-mannose is the same ingredient found in liquid Cystex.
Pure organic juice has been used as a remedy for centuries. Drinking it daily prevents uti infections and subsequently other bladder related issues. Ensuring genetalia hygiene after each urination is also vital. And hydration is essential with 6-8 glasses of water to totally filter the bladder bacteria.
For a couple of months, starting last summer, my bladder seemed to overflow, both during the day and at night. At night, one of the reasons was probably that, although I woke up with the urge to urinate, I did not get out of bed right away to go to the bathroom. During the day, I was probably too busy to pay attention to my bladder’s call. Day or night, the overflowing happened all at once, and a few times I had to change my jeans or pajama pants (i.e. I did not make it to the toilet fast enough).
My solution: switch to decaffeinated coffee/tea, stop waiting too long before going to the bathroom (after all, I am retired, and the bathrooms are right there (one upstairs, one downstairs).
So far, I did not have to see a doctor, which means I did not have to take any drug, and I was not referred to ‘a specialist’ either. But I think I have solved the problem, or at least brought it under control. Good enough (especially considering my age — well over 85 ).
I need all the things that will me with a overactive bladder after having a nerve stimulator put inside me and I’m still leaking alot. Please I need to know what I can use with the nerve stimulator inside to slow down the leaking so much. Before the doctor to take it out of me please. I just want the leaking to stop and my bladder work normal again.
Interested in what you have to say about the Myrbetriq and Gemtesa , and their side affects . And also any other medications they use for overactive bladder and their side affects .
Linda