Overview
Why cranberries?
They provide natural, time-tested support.†
Cranberries have been used for generations to maintain urinary tract health.† The antioxidant rich components in cranberries are widely known for their health-promoting protection.†
Why use ActiFruit™ Cranberry Supplement?
Convenience!
Just 1 capsule for all-day protection.
†
Ultra concentrated whole cranberry nutrients
34 pounds of fresh cranberries yields one pound of cranberry whole fruit concentrate (other products use only the juice).
Patented extended release system
Delivers nurturing bioactives throughout the day.
†
Clinically studied
Cranberry has been shown to promote bladder and urinary tract health.
†
Ultra concentrated
1 capsule has up to 7 times more antioxidants and only 1% of the sugar found in 1 glass of the leading brand of cranberry juice cocktail.
†
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Technical Data
Description
ActiFruit cranberry supplement provides nutritional support for bladder and urinary tract health.
† ActiFruit supplies a clinically effective amount of cranberry extract in just one daily dose. The benefits of cranberry have been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials.
ActiFruit has a unique extended delivery system which provides all day protection for the urinary tract.
†
ActiFruit provides the following benefits:
- Each serving provides the antioxidant equivalent of up to 7 glasses of cranberry juice cocktail*
- 1 lb of ActiFruit contains the equivalent of 34 lbs of fresh cranberries
- Patented extended release system (U.S. Patent # 6,231,866) delivers bioactives throughout the day for lasting protection†
- Boosts urinary tract health†
- 100 percent natural– contains no solvents, preservatives, added sugars, artificial flavoring or color
*Based on independent laboratory test comparing levels of anthocyanins (a known antioxidant) in ActiFruit and a leading brand of cranberry juice cocktail.
How Does It Work?
The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. The kidneys remove excess liquid and wastes from the blood to form urine, regulating a stable balance of salts and other compounds. The ureters drain formed urine from the kidneys to the bladder, where it is stored and then emptied through the urethra.
Specialized urinary system cells called uroepithelial cells are vital to the health of the ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. Uroepithelial cells line the surface of the urinary tract and are able to stretch to accommodate changes in bladder size as it fills and then releases urine. These cells have been shown to benefit from support from the compounds in cranberry.
†1-3
Exactly how cranberry promotes urinary tract health is not completely understood. It was once believed that the beneficial effects were due to its ability to promote a more acidic pH in the urinary tract.
†4 However, more recent research suggests that compounds in cranberry may actually have a protective effect for healthy uroepithelial cells.
†5,6,7,8 Cranberry also functions as a potent antioxidant offering protection against oxidative damage.
†9
Cranberry Clinical Trials
In comparison studies with cranberry juice, cranberry supplements were shown to provide equivalent or increased benefits for the urinary tract and bladder with greater convenience and less cost per dose.
†8
In a one year, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial which compared cranberry supplements, cranberry juice and placebo in 150 sexually active women, both cranberry supplements and cranberry juice were effective at promoting urinary tract health (the supplement group reported slightly better results).
† Two participants in the juice group dropped out of the study because of side-effects from the juice (reflux). No participants discontinued treatment in the supplement group. Both juice and supplement increased urinary tract health by approximately 50 percent.
†8 However, cranberry supplements provided the most cost-effective support.
In another randomized clinical trial 69 women over the age of 45 received a daily dose of a 500 mg cranberry supplement.
10 The study researchers concluded that cranberry supplements were as effective as other forms of therapy in maintaining urinary tract health.
†10
ActiFruit™ Production
Unlike cranberry juice or cranberry extract,
ActiFruit is made from 100 percent cranberry fruit solids through a patented process which intensifies the natural benefits of the whole cranberry by slowly releasing the key active compounds over an extended period. Thirty-four pounds of fresh cranberries are used to produce one pound of ActiFruit, yielding a ultra-concentrated product with up to 7 times the antioxidant level*, 25 percent more fiber, and less than 1 percent of the sugar found in a serving of cranberry juice cocktail.
* Based on independent laboratory test comparing levels of anthocyanins (a known antioxidant) in ActiFruit and a leading brand of cranberry juice cocktail.
Recommendations
One capsule daily.
Precautions
If pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.
How Is It Supplied?
Storage Recommendations
Store at controlled room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° – 30°C).
References
- Porth C. Control of urinary elimination. In: Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Heath States. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott. 2002:795-799.
- Jepson RG, Mihaljevic L, Craig J. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;CD001321.
- Lynch DM. Cranberry for prevention of urinary tract infections. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:2175-7.
- Hutchinson. Do cranberries help prevent urinary tract infections? Nurs Times. 2005 Nov 22-28;101(47):38-40.
- Foo LY, Lu Y, Howell AB, Vorsa N. The structure of cranberry proanthocyanidins which inhibit adherence of uropathogenic P-fimbriated Escherichia coli in vitro. Phytochemistry. 2000;54:173-81.
- Avorn J, Monane M, Gurwitz JH, Glynn RJ, Choodnovskiy I, Lipsitz LA. Reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria after ingestion of cranberry juice. JAMA. 1994;271:751-4.
- Kontiokari T, Sundqvist K, Nuutinen M, Pokka T, Koskela M, Uhari M. Randomised trial of cranberry-lingonberry juice and Lactobacillus GG drink for the prevention of urinary tract infections in women. BMJ 2001;322:1571.
- Stothers L. A randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness and cost effectiveness of naturopathic cranberry products as prophylaxis against urinary tract infection in women. Can J Urol. 2002;9:1558-62.
- Neto CC. Cranberry and its phytochemicals: a review of in vitro anticancer studies. J Nutr. 2007 Jan;137(1 Suppl):186S-193S.
- McMurdo ME, Argo I, Phillips G, Daly F, Davey P. Cranberry or trimethoprim for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections? A randomized controlled trial in older women. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2009 Feb;63(2):389-95.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anthocyanins are natural compounds in fruits and berries that give them their red or purple color. In addition to adding color, anthocyanins are potent antioxidants which can neutralize free radicals.† The anthocyanins in cranberries are structurally slightly different than those found in blueberries, cherries, and other fruits, which may explain the unique benefits of cranberry in supporting a healthy urinary tract.†
Please describe the Patented BioShield® extended release system of ActiFruit™ Cranberry Supplement. How is the cranberry processed?
The cranberry in ActiFruit™ Cranberry Supplement uses a patented BioShield® extended release system to deliver nurturing bioactives throughout the day.† The cranberry is pressed to remove the juice, which is then concentrated. The remaining part, called the pommace, is dried and then blended with other fibers. The concentrated juice is added back into the fiber mixture, which now has all the parts of the whole cranberry - skin, juice, seeds, and fiber. The fiber matrix shields the key components from stomach acid, and the natural pectin content slows its breakdown in the intestines and allows for a natural sustained release of the bioactive compounds.† This process is described in US patent 6,440,467.
How does ActiFruit™ Cranberry Supplement compare to cranberry juice cocktail?
Based on an independent laboratory test comparing levels of anthocyanins (a known antioxidant) in ActiFruit™ Cranberry Supplement and a leading brand of cranberry juice cocktail, one chew has up to 7 times more antioxidants and only 6% of the sugar found in one glass of juice.†
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