Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 10 Researches
6.9
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 3 Reviews
8.6
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: Two (2) softgels
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
10
 
Total Fat
1 g
1%**
Total Carbohydrate
<1 g
<1%**
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid)
120 mg
133%
Pacran® Whole Fruit Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) 
500 mg

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Cranberry juice reduces stone risk
We explored how cranberry juice, specifically vaccinium macrocarpon, influences the risk factors for developing calcium oxalate kidney stones. In a well-structured study, 20 South African men participated in a randomized cross-over trial. Some of them drank cranberry juice mixed with water for two weeks, while the others consumed only water. After a short break, the two groups switched their drinks to compare results.

Our findings revealed that cranberry juice significantly altered urinary risk factors associated with kidney stones. We observed a decrease in oxalate and phosphate excretion, alongside an increase in citrate excretion. This change resulted in lower relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate compared to just drinking water.

Overall, these results suggest that cranberry juice has potential antilithogenic properties, making it a viable conservative option for managing calcium oxalate kidney stones. Given its influence on urine chemistry, cranberry juice could be considered as part of a preventive strategy against kidney stones.
Read More
We examined the relationship between vitamin C intake and the risk of developing kidney stones in a large cohort. This study included a significant number of participants: 156,735 women from the Nurses' Health Studies and 40,536 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

Our findings revealed that total and supplemental vitamin C intake was linked to a higher risk of kidney stones in men, but there was no such association evident in women. Specifically, among men, those who consumed higher amounts of vitamin C had greater likelihoods of developing stones when compared to those with lower intakes.

However, dietary vitamin C did not show a connection with kidney stones in either men or women. This suggests that while supplements may pose risks for men, dietary sources of vitamin C might not have the same impact. Overall, the study indicates that we should be cautious about high vitamin C supplement consumption, especially for men, while highlighting that dietary intake appears safe.
Read More
9.5
No connection between IVC and stones
We set out to investigate whether high doses of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) could influence the formation of kidney stones. Our study involved 157 adult patients receiving IVC therapy at Integrated Health Options clinic over a 12-month period.

Throughout the study, we conducted regular check-ins with patients, specifically asking about any kidney stones they might have experienced, along with monitoring their renal function through blood tests. Despite some patients having a prior history of kidney stones, we found that none reported developing new stones during the study.

Interestingly, we also noted that the majority of participants showed stable renal function, as indicated by consistent serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). In summary, our findings suggest that IVC therapy does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9
Oxalate count confidence
26 people found this helpful
As a 58-year-old male who suffers from UTIs and kidney stones, I wish I had discovered this product earlier. I just started taking it and hope it prevents my future UTIs. The oxalate count is remarkably low, making it safe for kidney stone sufferers to enjoy the health benefits of cranberry.
Read More
9
Symptoms alleviated
3 people found this helpful
I don't use these for UTIs but to soothe my sensitive kidneys and bladder from taking supplements. I need the vitamins but am sensitive to them. After starting this, my symptoms resolved by the next day, allowing me to continue my supplements without excessive irritation. A great price without the added sugar of cranberry juice.
Read More
7.5
Kidney flushing aid
2 people found this helpful
I occasionally suffer from kidney stones and need to keep my kidneys flushed. This product helps with that. It's reasonably priced for what is considered a top brand. Ensure you drink plenty of water for optimal results.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 10 Researches
6.9
  • All Researches
9.5
No connection between IVC and stones
We set out to investigate whether high doses of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) could influence the formation of kidney stones. Our study involved 157 adult patients receiving IVC therapy at Integrated Health Options clinic over a 12-month period.

Throughout the study, we conducted regular check-ins with patients, specifically asking about any kidney stones they might have experienced, along with monitoring their renal function through blood tests. Despite some patients having a prior history of kidney stones, we found that none reported developing new stones during the study.

Interestingly, we also noted that the majority of participants showed stable renal function, as indicated by consistent serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). In summary, our findings suggest that IVC therapy does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
Read More
9
Cranberry juice reduces stone risk
We explored how cranberry juice, specifically vaccinium macrocarpon, influences the risk factors for developing calcium oxalate kidney stones. In a well-structured study, 20 South African men participated in a randomized cross-over trial. Some of them drank cranberry juice mixed with water for two weeks, while the others consumed only water. After a short break, the two groups switched their drinks to compare results.

Our findings revealed that cranberry juice significantly altered urinary risk factors associated with kidney stones. We observed a decrease in oxalate and phosphate excretion, alongside an increase in citrate excretion. This change resulted in lower relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate compared to just drinking water.

Overall, these results suggest that cranberry juice has potential antilithogenic properties, making it a viable conservative option for managing calcium oxalate kidney stones. Given its influence on urine chemistry, cranberry juice could be considered as part of a preventive strategy against kidney stones.
Read More
8
CDAI may reduce kidney stones
We examined the relationship between dietary antioxidant intake, particularly vitamin C, and the risk of developing kidney stones. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we found that individuals with higher levels of antioxidants, as indicated by the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI), had lower odds of forming kidney stones.

Stone formers, those who have experienced kidney stones, typically had a lower CDAI, showcasing significant differences based on gender. An interesting aspect of our findings was that vitamin C stood out as having the strongest negative correlation with kidney stones, suggesting that increased intake may be beneficial.

The results indicated that those in moderate and high CDAI groups had reduced odds of experiencing kidney stones compared to the lowest group. This was reflected in the odds ratios, which showed a significant decrease for those with higher antioxidant consumption. Therefore, it seems that a diet rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, could play a role in lowering kidney stone risks.

However, while our findings are promising, we emphasize the need for more in-depth cohort studies to further investigate this potential connection and confirm its causal nature.
Read More
8
Vitamin C may reduce kidney stones
We explored the dietary habits of individuals from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) to see how certain foods might influence kidney stone formation.

Our focus was particularly on vitamin C and its potential role in preventing these painful stones. We looked at a diverse group of nearly 17,000 people, analyzing their dietary intake alongside their kidney health over a span of several years.

Interestingly, our findings highlighted a connection between higher vitamin C intake and reduced kidney stone risk. Specifically, we noted that individuals consuming 60 to 110 mg of vitamin C daily had a lower chance of forming stones, with an even greater protective effect observed in those exceeding that amount.

While we didn't find significant associations with many other dietary elements, our results suggest that increasing vitamin C intake might be beneficial. This points towards a need for further research on how vitamin C and other dietary factors interact in the context of kidney stone prevention.
Read More
8
Vitamin C formulation lowers oxalate
We examined how different forms of vitamin C affect kidney stones, specifically looking at hyperoxaluria, a key risk factor for stone formation. In our study, conducted as a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, we compared the effects of traditional ascorbic acid with a formulation containing vitamin C and metabolites, known as Ester-C.

Our findings revealed that Ester-C significantly lowered urine oxalate levels compared to regular ascorbic acid. This is exciting because higher oxalate levels in urine can lead to kidney stones, and finding a formulation that mitigates this risk is important.

Although this study presents promising results, it's essential to note that further evaluation is necessary to fully understand these findings. We believe this is a novel insight into the potential of vitamin C to help prevent kidney stones, and we look forward to additional research in this area.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 3 Reviews
8.6
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Oxalate count confidence
26 people found this helpful
As a 58-year-old male who suffers from UTIs and kidney stones, I wish I had discovered this product earlier. I just started taking it and hope it prevents my future UTIs. The oxalate count is remarkably low, making it safe for kidney stone sufferers to enjoy the health benefits of cranberry.
Read More
9
Symptoms alleviated
3 people found this helpful
I don't use these for UTIs but to soothe my sensitive kidneys and bladder from taking supplements. I need the vitamins but am sensitive to them. After starting this, my symptoms resolved by the next day, allowing me to continue my supplements without excessive irritation. A great price without the added sugar of cranberry juice.
Read More
7.5
Kidney flushing aid
2 people found this helpful
I occasionally suffer from kidney stones and need to keep my kidneys flushed. This product helps with that. It's reasonably priced for what is considered a top brand. Ensure you drink plenty of water for optimal results.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

8
CDAI may reduce kidney stones
We examined the relationship between dietary antioxidant intake, particularly vitamin C, and the risk of developing kidney stones. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we found that individuals with higher levels of antioxidants, as indicated by the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI), had lower odds of forming kidney stones.

Stone formers, those who have experienced kidney stones, typically had a lower CDAI, showcasing significant differences based on gender. An interesting aspect of our findings was that vitamin C stood out as having the strongest negative correlation with kidney stones, suggesting that increased intake may be beneficial.

The results indicated that those in moderate and high CDAI groups had reduced odds of experiencing kidney stones compared to the lowest group. This was reflected in the odds ratios, which showed a significant decrease for those with higher antioxidant consumption. Therefore, it seems that a diet rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, could play a role in lowering kidney stone risks.

However, while our findings are promising, we emphasize the need for more in-depth cohort studies to further investigate this potential connection and confirm its causal nature.
7
Vitamin C's complex impact revealed
We sought to understand how varying levels of vitamin C, among other vitamins, affect the prevalence of kidney stones. Our research relied on comprehensive data from NHANES, which allowed us to evaluate the relationships between nine common vitamins and kidney stone conditions.

Through logistic regression and detailed cluster analysis, we discovered that high vitamin C intake can have a complex impact. While individuals with very high vitamin B6 and D levels showed a decrease in kidney stone issues, vitamin C presented a different picture. Initially, as vitamin C intake increased, the risk for kidney stones seemed to drop. However, after a certain threshold, that benefit waned, and we observed a potential increase in risk instead.

This means that while vitamin C can be beneficial in moderation, too much might not be the best for kidney health. Furthermore, we found that when combined with other vitamins, particularly in specific patterns, the protective effects against kidney stones enhanced, suggesting that overall dietary balance is crucial.

Our findings shed light on a nuanced relationship between vitamin C and kidney stones, emphasizing the importance of considering not just individual vitamins, but how they work together.
We examined the relationship between vitamin C intake and the risk of developing kidney stones in a large cohort. This study included a significant number of participants: 156,735 women from the Nurses' Health Studies and 40,536 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

Our findings revealed that total and supplemental vitamin C intake was linked to a higher risk of kidney stones in men, but there was no such association evident in women. Specifically, among men, those who consumed higher amounts of vitamin C had greater likelihoods of developing stones when compared to those with lower intakes.

However, dietary vitamin C did not show a connection with kidney stones in either men or women. This suggests that while supplements may pose risks for men, dietary sources of vitamin C might not have the same impact. Overall, the study indicates that we should be cautious about high vitamin C supplement consumption, especially for men, while highlighting that dietary intake appears safe.
9.5
No connection between IVC and stones
We set out to investigate whether high doses of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) could influence the formation of kidney stones. Our study involved 157 adult patients receiving IVC therapy at Integrated Health Options clinic over a 12-month period.

Throughout the study, we conducted regular check-ins with patients, specifically asking about any kidney stones they might have experienced, along with monitoring their renal function through blood tests. Despite some patients having a prior history of kidney stones, we found that none reported developing new stones during the study.

Interestingly, we also noted that the majority of participants showed stable renal function, as indicated by consistent serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). In summary, our findings suggest that IVC therapy does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
9
Cranberry juice reduces stone risk
We explored how cranberry juice, specifically vaccinium macrocarpon, influences the risk factors for developing calcium oxalate kidney stones. In a well-structured study, 20 South African men participated in a randomized cross-over trial. Some of them drank cranberry juice mixed with water for two weeks, while the others consumed only water. After a short break, the two groups switched their drinks to compare results.

Our findings revealed that cranberry juice significantly altered urinary risk factors associated with kidney stones. We observed a decrease in oxalate and phosphate excretion, alongside an increase in citrate excretion. This change resulted in lower relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate compared to just drinking water.

Overall, these results suggest that cranberry juice has potential antilithogenic properties, making it a viable conservative option for managing calcium oxalate kidney stones. Given its influence on urine chemistry, cranberry juice could be considered as part of a preventive strategy against kidney stones.
4
Cranberry juice shows mixed effects
We aimed to understand how different juices, including vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry juice), affect the formation of kidney stones. The study involved 12 healthy male participants aged 18-38, who followed a standardized diet. During the research, they provided 24-hour urine samples during both control and loading phases where mineral water was replaced with specific juices.

Our findings revealed that cranberry juice lowered urinary pH, which could be significant in supporting treatments related to some types of kidney stones, particularly brushite and struvite stones. However, we also observed that cranberry juice increased the excretion of oxalic acid and raised the relative supersaturation of uric acid, which might suggest mixed effects.

Interestingly, while blackcurrant juice increased urinary pH and citric acid excretion, plum juice did not have any notable impact on urine composition. It seems that while cranberry juice plays a role in acidic conditions potentially beneficial for certain stones, its overall influence requires careful consideration due to its side effects.

In conclusion, while vaccinium macrocarpon juice offers potential benefits, it’s important to note that it also may have some drawbacks depending on specific kidney stone types.

References

  1. Huang A, Huang W, Ye Y, Liu L, Wang H, et al. High composite dietary antioxidant index is associated with reduced risk of kidney stones: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007-2020. Nutr Res. 2024;128:60. 10.1016/j.nutres.2024.06.006
  2. Zeng H, Liu Z, He Y, Chen H, He J, et al. Multivitamins co-intake can reduce the prevalence of kidney stones: a large-scale cross-sectional study. Int Urol Nephrol. 2024;56:2991. 10.1007/s11255-024-04021-9
  3. Liu Kot K, Labagnara K, Kim JI, Loloi J, Gupta K, et al. Evaluating the American Urologic Association (AUA) dietary recommendations for kidney stone management using the National Health And Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). Urolithiasis. 2023;51:60. 10.1007/s00240-023-01423-9
  4. Jiang K, Tang K, Liu H, Xu H, Ye Z, et al. Ascorbic Acid Supplements and Kidney Stones Incidence Among Men and Women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Urol J. 2019;16:115. 10.22037/uj.v0i0.4275
  5. Prier M, Carr AC, Baillie N. No Reported Renal Stones with Intravenous Vitamin C Administration: A Prospective Case Series Study. Antioxidants (Basel). 2018;7. 10.3390/antiox7050068
  6. Ferraro PM, Curhan GC, Gambaro G, Taylor EN. Total, Dietary, and Supplemental Vitamin C Intake and Risk of Incident Kidney Stones. Am J Kidney Dis. 2016;67:400. 10.1053/j.ajkd.2015.09.005
  7. Modi J, Modi P, Pal B, Bansal J, Kumar S, et al. Role of Vitamin C and E supplementation in reduction of serum level of renal injury marker following shock wave lithotripsy: Prospective single centre experience. Urol Ann. 2015;7:350. 10.4103/0974-7796.156143
  8. Moyad MA, Combs MA, Crowley DC, Baisley JE, Sharma P, et al. Vitamin C with metabolites reduce oxalate levels compared to ascorbic acid: a preliminary and novel clinical urologic finding. Urol Nurs. 2009;29:95.
  9. McHarg T, Rodgers A, Charlton K. Influence of cranberry juice on the urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation. BJU Int. 2003;92:765.
  10. Kessler T, Jansen B, Hesse A. Effect of blackcurrant-, cranberry- and plum juice consumption on risk factors associated with kidney stone formation. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56:1020.
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