Can You Get UTIs From the Food Supply?

Researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota who study poultry diseases and genomics found a striking correlation.  The study set out to compare both food meat and human urine strains of E. coli through genomic sequencing.   The analysis showed that strains of E. coli from animal meat that specifically cause food-borne illness matched with human samples of E. coli in those who had a UTI.  The overlap of these strains was deemed “remarkable.”  Findings from an associated study by researchers from George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, were published in the scientific journal One Health, “Our study provides compelling evidence that dangerous E. coli strains are making their way from food animals to people through the food supply and making people sick,” professor Lance Price states.

In the United States, nearly 640,000 infections are caused by foodborne E. coli strains from animals each year.  About 60% of women will develop a UTI in their lifetime, many ending up in the emergency room.

What You Can Do:

1.     Wash all utensils, knives, plates and cutting boards that have come in contact with raw meat THOROUGHLY with soap and hot water.  This is AS important as eating fully cooked meat.

2.     Women are more affected than men because of anatomy.  Practicing proper bathroom hygiene is essential in preventing UTIs.

3.     While antibiotics can treat UTIs, studies have shown that up to 92% of infections are resistant to a common antibiotic.  Seek individualized care to see how naturopathic medicine can support you through the use of supplementation.

4.     If you’ve transitioned into menopause, it’s likely that lower estrogen levels can impact the floral balance of your vaginal tract.  Estrogen stimulates the cells of your vaginal wall to produce glycogen which is fuel for lactobacillus, the dominant good bacteria in the vaginal microbiome.  There are various ways to improve this environment and creams are one example.

5.     Help Protect Our Animals:  remember, the very strains that are making us sick are making the birds and other animals sick too.  Support quality livestock production, where animals are treated humanely and safely.  Consider decreasing your intake of animal products. Again, seek personalized advice to ensure that you are eating the right balance of macro and micro nutrients to keep you well-nourished and your immune system strong.