Introduction
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for overall health and wellness, and it’s especially important for your bladder and urinary tract. Urologists recommend getting enough vitamin D to help prevent bladder infections, reduce inflammation, and improve bladder function. Eating the right foods is the best way to get enough vitamin D, and this article will explain why and provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid.
The #1 Reason Vitamin D Is Good for Your Bladder, Urologist Says — Eat This Not That
Vitamin D is essential for overall health, and it’s especially important for your bladder health. According to urologists, vitamin D can help reduce the risk of bladder infections, bladder stones, and other bladder-related issues. Here’s why you should make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D in your diet.
Vitamin D Helps Strengthen the Bladder
Vitamin D helps strengthen the bladder muscles, which can help reduce the risk of bladder infections and other bladder-related issues. Vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium, which is important for maintaining strong bones and muscles. This includes the muscles in the bladder, which can help reduce the risk of bladder stones.
Vitamin D Can Help Reduce Inflammation
Vitamin D can also help reduce inflammation in the bladder, which can help reduce the risk of bladder infections. Vitamin D helps the body produce anti-inflammatory proteins, which can help reduce inflammation in the bladder and other parts of the body.
Vitamin D Can Help Improve Bladder Control
Vitamin D can also help improve bladder control. Vitamin D helps the body produce hormones that can help regulate the bladder muscles, which can help reduce the risk of urinary incontinence. Vitamin D can also help reduce the risk of overactive bladder, which can cause frequent and sudden urges to urinate.
How to Get Enough Vitamin D
The best way to get enough vitamin D is to eat foods that are rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish, eggs, and fortified milk. You can also get vitamin D from supplements, but it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Sun exposure is also a great way to get vitamin D, but it’s important to wear sunscreen to protect your skin.
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for overall health, and it’s especially important for your bladder health. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D in your diet to help reduce the risk of bladder infections, bladder stones, and other bladder-related issues.
You loved reading about the recent study that found vitamin D might actually lessen your need to pee. Now, a Cleveland Clinic-trained urologist has helped to break down this mysterious connection. (When you understand it this way, it makes so much sense!)
A refresher: In early September, a team of obstetrics/gynecology and public health researchers published their analysis of past studies in the International Urogynecology Journal. From their review, the team concluded that there may be a link between low levels of vitamin D and urinary incontinence. (Learn more about that study on vitamin D and bladder health.)
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A possible interpretation, as we reported it, is that the bladder detrusor muscle contracts to allow urine out of the bladder. This muscle also contains vitamin D receptors—so, in effect, vitamin D may help strengthen some muscles in and around the pelvic floor, including the bladder, which could lessen symptoms related to incontinence.
To further shed light, Well + Good recently spoke with Michael Ingber, MD, a New Jersey physician specializing in urology and urogynecology. As a specialist in issues related to the pelvic floor, Ingber observed a possible explanation. Based on Ingber’s insights about the vitamin D/bladder study, the outlet reported that “one way [vitamin D] is beneficial is because it helps other nutrients linked to bladder health be better absorbed in the body.”
They quoted Ingber as explaining: “Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which plays a role in intestinal absorption of several different nutrients in the body. Calcium, magnesium, phosphate are all absorbed as a result of vitamin D, and these things also play a role in kidney and bladder health.” So, a possible effect vitamin D has on the urinary system is that it simply helps the digestive system more optimally absorb other minerals that support good overall health in that region of the body.
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