The Uses of Cranberry Fruit Extract

H. Pylori Infection
H. Pylori is a bacteria that lives in the stomach; sometimes it lives there without causing problems. Other times, people end up developing ulcers because of it, among other stomach issues. The Mayo Clinic explains that early research shows that cranberry might aid in the reduction of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that live in the stomach, thereby decreasing the chance for ulcers. The use of cranberry fruit extract for this condition also receives a grade of "good" from MayoClinic.com.
Other Uses
MayoClinic.com gives the following uses for cranberry fruit extract a grade of "unclear" as far as evidential proof is concerned; research is being conducted and the extract is being used, however, as a potential treatment: cranberry extract may be used as an antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Based on research, cranberry has been recommended as being an option to prevent cancer. There is a possibility that cranberry fruit extract might contribute to preventing the formation of kidney stones. Also, cranberry may not be able to work alone to treat urinary tract infections, but in conjunction with other treatment like antibiotics, it may be helpful.
Role of Silymarin in Diabetes
Improved Liver function leads to improved Diabetes Control
The liver is the first and most important tissue involved with insulin utilization. In secondary diabetes due to liver damage, insulin resistance in particularly pronounced. The reduction in lipid per oxidation produced by silymarin can lead to improved metabolic control and a reduced requirement for endogenous insulin in such patients, as demonstrated by this investigation conducted in Italy.
METHODS
A homogeneous group of 60 patients with diabetes caused by liver cirrhosis who were being traded with insulin were randomly assigned to receive silymarin 600 mg/day or no silymarin for 6 months; all were receiving insulin therapy and had elevated endogenous insulin secretion suggestive on insulin resistance. Additional criteria for inclusion were; age between 45 and 70 year; insulin therapy stable for at least 2 years; negative markers for hepatitis A, B and C; alcohol abstinence for at least 2 years; liver cirrhosis determined on biopsy no earlier than 4 years previously; and class 2 according to the Child classification of cirrhosis. Ranges of measurements were conducted to assess metabolic control, serum lipid levels and liver function throughout the treatment period.

Silymarin and Liver Disease

Silymarin provided protection against the toxic effects of long-term treatment with psychotropic drugs (used in mental illness) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical study of 60 people. Before the study began, all of the participants had been taking the psychotropic drugs phenothiazine or butyrophenone, or both, for at least 5 years. Subjects were divided into four groups for the 3-month trial: group I took psychotropic drugs and a high dose of silymarin (800 mg per day), group 11 took psychotropics with placebo, group III took silymarin only (800 mg per day), and group IV took placebo. Silymarin provided liver protection to group I by reducing blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of liver damage that increases during long-term treatment with psychotropics. Not surprisingly, the decrease in MDA levels was even greater in the group taking silymarin alone (group III ). Patients in group II continued to experience rising levels of MDA, whereas those who took placebo had declining MDA levels until the psychotropics were reinstated. There were no adverse effects associated with Milk Thistle treatment.
Alcoholic Liver Disease
A 1981 double-blind study followed 106 Finnish soldiers with mild alcoholic liver disease. In the treated group, there was a significant improvement in liver function as measured by blood tests and biopsy. 19 Another study reported similar results.20 However, a study of 116 participants showed little to no benefit,21 as did another study of 72 people followed for 15 months.
The cranberry extract.
The Uses of Cranberry Extract
The uses of cranberry fruit extract, according to MayoClinic.com, are not limited to the well-known use of treating urinary tract infections in conjunction with other treatment like antibiotics; there are many other uses for which cranberry has been studied. The Mayo Clinic recommends use of cranberry to prevent urinary tract infections; MayoClinic.com also provides information on other medical uses that are still in the process of being researched, but that have shown unclear to good scientifically sound results.
Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
The uses of cranberry fruit extract includes preventing urinary tract infections; according to MayoClinic.com, "the sum total of favorable evidence combined with laboratory research tends to support this use." Though the Mayo Clinic does not specify a particular dose for optimal use, they do know that the extract seems to function by keeping bacteria from sticking to cells that line the bladder. The Mayo Clinic considers the scientific evidence for this use to be "good."