Magnesium & Urinary Tract Infection

Approximately 8 million to 10 million people get urinary tract infections annually in the United States. Most of these people are women. Women have shorter urethras, which is the likely cause of their more frequent infections. The urethra and bladder is where UTIs start. Children under 2 years of age are more likely to develop a UTI than older children. UTIs are rare in men and young boys. Magnesium supplements may help treat a UTI, but do not take any supplements without first consulting your doctor.

UTI

A urinary tract infection generally begins in the urethra and bladder and progresses to the ureters and kidneys if not treated 13. A bladder infection is the most common type of UTI. Untreated UTIs can impair kidney function and, in some rare cases, are fatal. Common symptoms in adults include:

• nausea
  
• pain in the lower ribs
  
• vomiting
  
• chills
  
• hormonal changes
  
• fever

Supplements

Taking magnesium supplements may help improve a urinary tract infection 13. A dosage of 100 mg of magnesium with 1,000 mg of calcium taken three or four times daily is an effective dosage, according to Life Extension online magazine. Other supplements that may work well too are one to two capsules of grape seed extract, four to six capsules taken orally or one to two capsules inserted vaginally of probiotics with acidophilus and one 500 mg capsule of cranberry juice concentrate. Get permission from your doctor and check dosages before supplementing.

PH Level

Bacteria growing in the urinary tract leads to an infection 13. Creating a more alkaline environment in your urinary tract may decrease bacteria, according to the Austin Diagnostic Clinic in Austin, Texas. Taking minerals that are citrates, such as potassium citrate and sodium citrate, makes your body more alkaline by changing your pH level. Switching your magnesium and calcium supplements to magnesium citrate and calcium citrate may encourage an alkaline shift.

Calcium Stones

Calcium stones are a type of kidney stone often associated with urinary tract infections. Calcium stones may develop two ways. One is from excess calcium oxalate in the urine at a pH of less than 6.0. The other way is from excess calcium phosphate in an alkaline urine with a pH of more than 7.2 If you have low levels of magnesium or urinary citrate, you are at a greater risk of developing calcium phosphate stones. Chronic diarrhea typically causes the low magnesium and urinary citrate.