Piperine is the “active” compound in black pepper. Oddly enough, Piperine can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by 2,000%! Typically, curcumin has poor bioavailability, meaning our bodies don’t absorb the ingredient well on its own. Uqora Defend includes black pepper powder in a small dose to enable our bodies to better absorb curcumin.

D-Mannose is a type of carbohydrate that occurs naturally in small quantities in many fruits and vegetables including apples, peaches, green beans, and broccoli. D-Mannose is an important part of human metabolism and urinary health. It has been shown to bind to microorganisms and flushes them from the urinary tract.

This extract is mostly (95%) made up of micronutrients in green tea leaves called catechins, like EGCG and EGC. These have been the subject of much research on various health benefits and have antioxidant properties. Along with curcumin, catechins have been shown to cleanse biofilm in preliminary laboratory research. The green tea extract in Uqora Defend is from the leaves of green tea plants.

Turmeric Root Extract (95% Curcuminoids) is the “active” compound in turmeric, a flowering plant commonly used as a spice that is a member of the ginger family. Turmeric Root Extract gives Uqora Defend its yellowish color. Biofilm can build-up in the urinary tract and turmeric root extract (along with the polyphenols from green tea) has been shown to cleanse biofilm in preliminary laboratory research. The curcumin in Uqora Defend is extracted from the turmeric root.

We recommend talking with your physician if you’re pregnant, nursing, take blood thinners or have a history of liver or gallbladder issues. If you take blood thinners, curcumin, an ingredient in Defend, may cause additional blood thinning. Stop use and see your physician if you develop symptoms of liver problems, such as fatigue, jaundice, and dark urine.

42% of all adults in the U.S. are Vitamin D deficient. The vitamin D in Defend is vitamin D3, also called cholecalciferol, the form of vitamin D made by the skin when exposed to sunlight. New research shows that Vitamin D supplementation increases tight junction proteins in the bladder. Essentially, these proteins connect cells that are next to each other.

Yes, Defend, Flush and Promote, are meant to be taken together. All together, these products make up our Complete Regimen - our most popular product bundle. Taking all three products together provides you maximum urinary support. Flush (our drink mix) flushes the urinary tract, Defend cleanses biofilm from the urinary tract and supports bladder wall integrity, and Promote helps maintain healthy vaginal bacteria. Get the Complete Regimen here.

Defend is one part of our 3-part proactive regimen. It’s designed to keep the urinary tract clear on a day-to-day basis by regularly cleansing biofilm, and it also supports bladder wall integrity. You can take Defend by itself, but we recommend that everyone looking for better urinary health also take Flush (our drink mix). Bundle the two here.

Defend and Flush contain different active ingredients. While the two products are complementary, they don’t have the same function. Defend is designed to keep the urinary tract clear on a day-to-day basis by regularly cleansing biofilm, and supporting bladder wall integrity. Flush (our drink mix) flushes the urinary tract when you need support, like after sex, with the right amount of effective ingredients. For more support, we recommend bundling the two here.

Uqora Defend is not vegan because the vitamin D is sourced from sheep's wool. We chose this source because it is the same version used in clinical research, and we wanted to ensure the maximum efficacy. We apologize for how this may affect our vegan customers. All of the other ingredients in Defend are vegan, as well as all of the ingredients in Flush and Promote.

The recommended daily upper limit for vitamin D is 4000 IU. Most vitamin D supplements have <2000 IU, and Uqora Defend now includes 1500 IU. So, most people should be in the clear, but if you are currently taking other vitamin D sources be sure to check the volume. We've included that amount to be close to the clinical research amounts but not have a full 2000 IU in case people are supplementing with vitamin D that goes up to 2000 IU to stay at a lower dosage of 3,500 per day.