Self Help
If I wrote about all the research, theory and practice of nutrition, supplements, fitness and wellness, I'm pretty sure I'd soon end up replicating Goop or MindBodyGreen. I was an early adopter of the gut health theory based on scientific evidence that antibiotics ravage your insides and cause toxicity that perversely makes it harder for the body to fight infection or restore tissues. I was in the early majority that got into yoga and mindfulness. I will never know if I my symptoms would have improved through pharmacological means alone - but I'm convinced that I couldn't have improved without the help of supplements to help me restore some balance naturally.
There's another way to approach IC - you could move to a deserted place and eat water-based porridge for a month and starve your infection out of your body. I know someone who did just that in Morocco drinking nothing but water for two weeks. It's not a route that's advisable, nor is it unrealistic for most of us. What's clear though is that abusing yourself with late nights, stress, alcohol, cigarettes and cake is no longer an option. This will not make you a boring person, this is a silver lining.
Here I present you the exhaustive list of supplements that I take on a regular basis. This list does not include D-Mannose, Aloe Vera, Quercetin, Oil of Oregano, Colloidal Silver, Prelief and Omega-3 that I've also dabbled with across the years. I was disappointed that D-Mannose wasn't the magic ingredient that it's famous for, but then it only works for E.Coli. You should research all of these options if you wish. Stay away from Yakult, Activia or Actimel as they're laden with sugar. Cranberry juice too. (Cranberries generally are a myth from the past). In fact, always check the label for sugar or sweeteners or lactose - as those would defeat the purpose. At any rate, alongside pain management, meditation and fitness, I'm sure you will find the right combination of supplements for you.
NAC - N-acetyl cysteine
I swear by NAC, and recommend it to anyone who's ever had a cold, flu, infection or inflammation. I can't remember how I discovered it, but the evidence for its magic powers to improve general immunity is solid. Cysteine is an important amino acid that has an antioxidant effect and helps the body's natural defences. Check the dosage instructions to make sure it's safe for you.
Symprove
Symprove is a water-based probiotic formula, which via an independent study has been proven to arrive in the gut - not all probiotics do, and that matters. Its marketing department invented the 12-week challenge, but they needn't have worried - I've taken it for years. When I stop, things get a bit fragile. I take the Original formula, because the mango flavour contains sucralose.
Rhythm Health Organic Life Shot 200 Coconut Kefir
Life Shot by name, life shot by nature. These lively little bottles of coconut kefir have provided me with the natural breakthrough for my recovery. They come in 30-day 'courses' and I've done 3 of them, and the difference in pain has been memorable. I will do more when I feel like giving my body a boost of gut health.
OptiBac One Week Flat
I went through a phase of 'overdosing' on probiotics - where I 'hit' my body with as many probiotics as I was hitting it with antibiotics. One of those was OptiBac One Week Flat powder. Think of it as an entry-level all-rounder that actually works. Pair it specifically with Saccharomyces Boulardii and you get a good combo to attack fungal infections.
Saccharomyces Boulardii
It seems counterintuitive to treat yeast infections with yeast, but if you look into the logic, it begins to make sense. Saccharomyces Boulardii is a little-known yeast that produces an anti-inflammatory response in the body. It helps treat IBS symptoms, and by extension IC pain which is very similar.
B12 / B-Complex
B-vitamins, and B12 in particular, are good to take anyway. They help regulate hormones, particularly in the first part of the cycle, and hormones do play a part in triggering pain. Don't be surprised if your pee turns fluorescent yellow - this means it's working. While you're at it, you can take megadoses of Vitamin C too but make sure it's sugar-free.
Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin usually go together as supplements for osteoarthritis. What does that have to do with IC, you may wonder? Chondroitin and glucosamine are both found in the GAG layer (bladder lining). It's the active ingredient in bladder instillations too, so supplements may help restore these molecules less invasively. Check for high-potency chondroitin, as not all supplements have the same concentration.
Enterosgel
If you buy into the gut/pelvic connection, you will soon find that approaches to IC, IBS and Endometriosis tend to focus on the same idea - get rid of gastrointestinal toxins. This is where Enterosgel comes in - it binds toxins before they can penetrate linings. It's a paste that tastes of cardboard but it's worth sticking with it (no pun intended).
Marshmallow Root or Pau D'Arco Teas
Both preparations have soothing properties and both herbs are good for yeast management.
Bone broth
Beef bone broth contains a high amount of collagen, which not only helps skin and bones, but that all important GAG layer in the bladder. Together with the coconut kefir, you could try a month of both and observe the change.
I have no affiliation to the companies that manufacture these products. I have personally tried all and stick to them as part of my maintenance regime. The links to products on this page are so-called affiliate links, which means that if you do end up buying them, my site receives a small commission. Some information sites function on donations, some through affiliate links, some are charities. I opted for affiliate links as it's the simplest way to help run this site.