Uqora For Recurrent Urinary Infections

Hype or Hope?

Today’s entry will review Uqora -- a relatively new direct-to-consumer product designed to help prevent urinary tract infections that is being heavily marketed in the media.  In this entry, I will discuss the components that comprise the Uqora products, the cost, and its utility.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in women and are a source of marked distress, causing urinary urgency, frequency, pain, bleeding, etc.  Any measures that can reduce their occurrence confer a considerable advantage and Uqora was conceived in an effort to help prevent the scourge of recurrent UTIs. Uqora’s website is replete with useful information on the topic of UTIs.

Uqora’s Principles

Uqora aims to alkalinize one’s urine (to make less acidic), eradicate biofilm, and to restore healthy flora via probiotics. These are all sound and sensible scientific premises. In the presence of a bacterial UTI, bladder cells secrete siderocalin to inhibit bacterial growth (it interferes with the uptake of iron that bacteria need to proliferate).  Less acidic urine can help promote the secretion of siderocalin.  Biofilm is a community of microorganisms that adhere to each other and become embedded in a slimy extracellular matrix that they produce, allowing bacteria to evade host defense systems. The use of probiotics such as Lactobacillus helps restore healthy flora and helps stop bacteria from forming biofilms.

UQORA TRIPLE THERAPY: "FLUSH, DEFEND, PROMOTE"

(Note: Everything in quotes is excerpted from the website or package)

Flush

• “After sex, travel, or exercise.”

• “Mix one packet in 8-12 ounces of water and drink every 3 days and immediately after sex, if sexually active.”

• “Helps to alkalize the urine plus bind to microorganisms and flush them from urinary tract.”

• Components: D-Mannose 2000 mg; Potassium Citrate 360 mg, Vitamin C 480 mg, Vitamin B6 25 mg, Magnesium 15 mg, Calcium 60 mg, and other “ingredients to provide color, taste, and texture: citric acid, natural lemon flavor, silica, rebaudioside A from Stevia Leaf Extract, and Beet Root (for color)”

• Cost: $25.50 for 4 weeks supply that renews monthly.

Defend

• “Cleanse biofilm & support bladder wall integrity.”

• Components: Turmeric Root Extract 200 mg; Green Tea Leaf Extract 200 mg; D-Mannose 600 mg; Vitamin D3 1500 IU; Black Pepper Powder 10 mg; other “ingredients for capsule and consistency.”  Take 2 capsules together with water daily.

• Cost: $25.50 for 4 weeks supply that renews monthly.

Promote

• “Help maintain healthy vaginal bacteria daily, which is key for urinary health.”

• Components: Probiotic blend of Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Rhamnosus, & Reuteri: 10 billion CFU; Other “ingredients for capsule and consistency.”  Take 1 capsule daily with water.

• Cost: $25.50 for 4 weeks supply that renews monthly

Note: One can purchase Uqora triple therapy as a bundle: $52.00 for a 4-week supply that renews monthly.

UQORA ADD-ON PRODUCTS

Uqora UTI Emergency Kit: This includes 2 "test strips" to test urine for a UTI; 12 tablets of "infection control" consisting of sodium salicylate (analgesic) and methenamine (converts to formaldehyde that is bacterial-toxic); and 12 tablets of "pain relief" consisting of phenazopyridine HCl. Cost is $25.

Uqora Wipes: Contains many ingredients and cost is $6 for 20 wipes.

Uqora Vulva Cleanser: Contains lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide among other ingredients; "Apply a dime-size amount to vulva, lather and rinse."

My Take

Alkalinizing the urine and using D-Mannose and probiotics are all helpful in trying to prevent UTIs.  Thus, the intentions of triple therapy are favorable.

I support the D-Mannose component of the “flush” since this sugar is an anti-adherent that helps inhibit bacterial adhesion to bladder cells.  I am also in favor of the concept of alkalinizing the urine.

A natural alternative to chemical alkalinization is to stay well hydrated to keep the urine dilute in conjunction with the consumption of a diet rich in citrus fruits, most vegetables, and legumes. An alternative to purchasing the D-Mannose through Uqora is via Amazon, where a 2 month supply of  D-Mannose can be purchased for under $14. 

I take issue with the Vitamin C supplement component of the “flush,” clearly one of the key risk factors that can promote kidney stones!  For more information on the relationship between Vitamin C and kidney stones, please see: Vitamin C supplements: Your Express Lane to Kidney Stones. 

The D-Mannose in the “defend” is somewhat redundant since the “flush” contains it.  I am unsure of the utility of the other ingredients of “defend” (aside from the D-Mannose), including the turmeric and green tea extracts, Vitamin D and the black pepper powder, all of which may have some anti-bacterial properties, although the jury is still out.

“Promote” is clearly useful, as probiotics are live, healthy bacteria that can help prevent bacteria from colonizing by restoring healthy flora and also can help prevent biofilm formation. However, as an alternative, one can obtain a nice dose of probiotics through the consumption of common fermented foods.  These include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread, cottage cheese and certain aged cheeses, and fermented veggies. Furthermore, green leafy veggies are a source of probiotic carbohydrates that promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria.

The "Add-on" products can be helpful as well, particularly the "emergency kit." It is important to know that the active ingredients in the emergency kit are not unique to Uqora, but can be purchased elsewhere, e.g., on Amazon in the form of test strips 50-count for $13.95, Cystex UTI, (methenamine and sodium salicylate)48-count for $9.10 and Azo (phenazopyridine) 24-count for $8.18. I'm not sure about the utility of the wipes and vulva cleanser and if they are any more effective than some gentle soap and water, but in theory they are certainly reasonable.

Bottom Line: Uqora has put together a nice website and a handy bundled package of products that can certainly help prevent and manage UTIs.  The bundling of products that are available online via the Uqora website makes it easy and convenient to seek relief of UTI symptoms and prevention of future UTIs.

Some negatives are the expense, which is over $600 annually for the bundled products.  Additionally, there are some ingredients in Uqora that are of questionable utility and the use of Vitamin C (in my humble opinion) is a definite no-no, particularly in the population of patients who have experienced kidney stones. 

Alternative natural sources of alkalinization can be obtained via the consumption of a diet rich in citrus fruits, most vegetables, and legumes, and alternate natural sources of probiotics can be obtained by consuming the aforementioned fermented or cultured food items.  D-Mannose or another option, cranberry extract – both of which are bacterial anti-adherents – may be purchased relatively inexpensively through a number of alternative sites.

All things considered, Uqora provides hope for those suffering with recurrent UTIs, so HOPE prevails over HYPE.

Wishing you the best of health,

Andrew Siegel MD