Many patients report that vitamin C causes bladder flares when they take supplements. There are studies that found vitamin C supplements can trigger the “need to go” in women. However, vitamin C naturally found in foods may not cause the same kind of bladder symptoms.
Studies have found that low vitamin D levels are linked to overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is characterized by frequent urination, incontinence, nocturia (the need to urinate more than twice per night) and sudden, intense urges to urinate.
Conclusions. High-dose intakes of vitamin C and calcium were positively associated with urinary storage or incontinence, whereas vitamin C and β-cryptoxanthin from foods and beverages were inversely associated with voiding symptoms.
Moreover, low magnesium concentrations can lead to bladder spasm and urinary frequency. High extracellular magnesium concentrations reduced the magnitude of the electrically-induced phasic contractions, as well as spontaneous contractions of the human detrusor smooth muscle in vitro.
Vitamin D receptors are found in the bladder and the pelvic floor muscles' striated muscles [8, 10]. While vitamin D deficiency exhibits the most apparent impact on musculoskeletal health [5], it is one of the possible causes of urinary incontinence in older women [24].
Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms.
When comparing zinc to placebo, significant increases in urinary tract infections were found (p = 0.004), especially in females (2.3% vs 0.4%, RR 5.77, 95% CI 1.30-25.66, p = 0.013).
The Bottom Line on Supplements for Nocturia
Among women, melatonin, cranberry, D-mannose and a specific product called AZO Bladder Control with Go Less, might improve nocturia caused by conditions such as overactive bladder or UTIs. Supplementing with vitamin D or probiotics is not known to help.
Vitamin D supplementation may improve urinary symptoms and QoL in patients with OAB.
What foods calm the bladder? The American Urological Association also recognizes some foods as potentially having a calming effect on sensitive bladders. These foods include pears, bananas, green beans, squash, potatoes, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, bread, and eggs.
Pumpkin seed extract: Research suggests this is beneficial for both nighttime urination and OAB. Magnesium hydroxide: These supplements were shown in one small study to improve symptoms of urinary incontinence and nocturia in over 50 percent of female participants.
Overactive bladder is caused by a malfunction of the detrusor muscle, which in turn can be cased by: Nerve damage caused by abdominal trauma, pelvic trauma or surgery. Bladder stones. Drug side effects.
Vitamin B12 deficency can cause urinary incontinence that can be cured with B12 supplementation. One preliminary study, but not others, have found that low blood levels of B12 were associated with urinary incontinence in older people.
Treatment of Overactive Bladder
Supplements that contain Zinc, Saw Palmetto, Copper, or Selenium have a positive effect on bladder health.
Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) Mullein is beneficial for the kind of OAB which causes the urinary incontinence associated with menopause. It strengthens the bladder sphincter which can weaken in low oestrogen states.
Nocturia is waking up more than once during the night because you have to pee. Causes can include drinking too much fluid, sleep disorders and bladder obstruction. Treatments for nocturia include restricting fluids and medications that reduce symptoms of overactive bladder.
The answer is, there is no link between magnesium and frequent urination or having to pee more. Now magnesium can help with water retention. So, if you find that when you take magnesium you pee more, it's most likely because your body is actually holding extra water.
Anecdotally, vitamins can increase bladder irritation or even cause urethral pain (especially B complexes and vitamin C).
Researchers and patients alike have known that citrus can irritate IC bladders for years. And vitamin C itself (also known as ascorbic acid) is acidic. Combining the acidic properties of vitamin C with very acidic citrus fruits that contain high levels of the vitamin, makes for a perfect storm of hurt for IC bladders.
Do not take zinc supplements if you take amiloride. Blood pressure medications, ACE Inhibitors -- A class of medications called ACE inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure, may decrease the levels of zinc in your blood. ACE inhibitors include: Benazepril (Lotensin)