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Probiotics For Men: Why Guys Should Take Them + The 5 Best Types To Try
Unless this is your first time on the internet, you've probably already heard of probiotics. You may already know that, on a basic level, they're good for your gut health, but do they have any targeted benefits for men?*
We dug into the research—and tapped into some health experts—to find out.
Should men take probiotics?
Most experts agree, with a resounding yes, that men should take probiotics. (And so should women!)
While it's impossible to put an exact number on how many folks have suboptimal gut balance or GI needs, it's safe to say that a large number of people are affected. And thanks to a reliance on processed foods, low-fiber diets, and increasing stress levels, the number is only increasing.
Since taking a daily probiotic is completely safe for most people (although you may experience some initial side effects), according to integrative physician Bindiya Gandhi, M.D., there's no harm in trying one to see if it works for you. If you have health concerns or conditions, double-check with your doctor first, though.
How to choose the best options
There are several probiotics that are specifically marketed to men, but a lot of what you see is just that: marketing.
Narrowing down the best probiotics for men takes the same due diligence ,as with any other category, but don't feel like you're boxed into specific brands just because they say "for men."
While quality is always important when it comes to supplements, board-certified internist Vincent M. Pedre, M.D., says, "That goes triple for probiotics."
According to Pedre, what you're actually getting doesn't always match the claims on the bottle. Here are some easy-to-follow guidelines that can help you narrow down the choices:
- Choose a probiotic that contains billions—not millions—of organisms (or colony-forming units, CFUs) per dose. Some of the bacteria in probiotic supplements don't make it past the acid in your stomach. To account for this loss, higher CFUs help. With that said, CFU dosing should ultimately be rooted in clinical research studies.
- Look for bacterial diversity. Instead of opting for a probiotic that contains one or two types of bacteria, find one that contains multiple strains, including strains from well-studied genera like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, and Saccharomyces.
- Avoid unnecessary ingredients. Many probiotics contain binders and fillers like lactose and/or cornstarch. These ingredients can contribute to digestive upset in some people, which is all-around counterproductive.
- Check the manufacturing date. Most high-quality probiotics are good for two years after the manufacturing date, as long as they've been stored properly (more on that here). It doesn't matter whether the probiotic requires refrigeration or not—both types can be equally effective—just double-check that you're storing them according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Go dairy-free. Many probiotic supplements are made with dairy, but Pedre recommends choosing one that isn't, especially if you're sensitive to it. (Check out our guide to vegan probiotics.)
If you are new to probiotics, then you have come to the right place. mindbodygreen's vice president of scientific affairs Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN, has compiled a list of the top probiotics she recommends for men:
mbg's picks for the best probiotic supplements for men
Pros
- Helps ease bloat & aids digestion*
- Gut-centric probiotics in 1 capsule
- Supports healthy weight*
- Sustainable packaging
Cons
- Daily regimen to maximize benefits
Dietary:
Non-GMOGluten-freeVegetarianVeganDairy-freeSoy-freeMajor food allergen-freeTotal CFUs:
32 billionForm:
CapsuleServing size:
1 capsule dailyServings per container:
30mindbodygreen’s probiotic+ with B. lactis Bi-07, B. lactis B420, B. lactis HN019, and L. acidophilus NCFM is the only blend in the world with this combination of four strains, specifically designed to ease bloating, aid digestion, and elevate your gut microbiome. These probiotic strains have been clinically shown to support gut health and maintain key, daily functions of the digestive system.*
Plus, save 10% on your first order with promo code MBG10.
Pros
- Supports men’s digestive, immune, and colon health*
- Strain diversity
- 1 capsule daily serving size
Cons
- Plastic packaging
- Best if refrigerated
Dietary:
Non-GMOGluten-freeDairy-freeSoy-freeTotal CFUs:
90 billionForm:
CapsuleServing size:
1 capsule dailyServings per container:
30Renew Life® Ultimate Flora™ Men’s Care Probiotic offers 90 billion CFUs spread across two blends of 12 selected probiotic strains to support men’s digestive, colon, immune and respiratory health.*
Pros
- Formulated to support regularity and abdominal comfort.*
- Strain diversity
- No refrigeration needed
Cons
- Plastic packaging
- Not suitable for vegans
- Only 25-day supply
Dietary:
VegetarianDairy-freeTotal CFUs:
30 billionForm:
CapsuleServing size:
1 capsule dailyServings per container:
25Nature Made’s Digestive Probiotics Ultra Strength offers 30 billion CFUs split across 12 probiotic strains (from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria genera) that help support healthy gut flora.*
Pros
- Supports gut and immune health*
- Strain diversity
- Sustainable packaging
Cons
- Long list of “Other” ingredients
- Best to keep refrigerated
Dietary:
Non-GMOGluten-freeVegetarianTotal CFUs:
30 billionForm:
CapsuleServing size:
1 capsule dailyServings per container:
30This probiotic supplement provides multidimensional daily probiotic support for both the upper and lower GI tract for digestive and immune health via a blend of 7 beneficial probiotic strains.*
Pros
- Provides mood support*
- Supports healthy stress response*
- No refrigeration needed
Cons
- Plastic packaging
- Contains milk & soy allergens
Dietary:
Non-GMOGluten-freeVegetarianTotal CFUs:
3 billionForm:
CapsuleServing size:
1 capsule dailyServings per container:
60Pure Encapsulations ProbioMood probiotic formula includes two probiotic strains designed to support emotional well-being and promote relaxation by lessening occasional stress. It also helps support the integrity of the intestinal lining.*
Probiotic benefits for men
While still an emerging area of scientific investigation, there's promising research that a high-quality probiotic supplement can help support various aspects of health.*
Sexual health (plus mood and sleep)
Healthy levels of serotonin are important for normal erectile function (in addition to a balanced mood and sleep).
While there haven't been any studies exploring the direct link between erectile function and probiotics, research shows that probiotic supplementation may boost levels of serotonin 1by increasing the amount of tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin) in the blood.*
Healthy testosterone levels
After the age of 30, men naturally experience a decline in testosterone, a hormone that plays a vital role in fertility and sperm production.
According to a study published in Andrology, supplementing with probiotics may help increase testosterone levels while also normalizing other important sex hormones—a combination that may improve sperm quality.* It's worth noting, though, that the researchers from the study used prebiotics, too.
This also ties into sexual health since suboptimal testosterone levels can directly affect your libido. On the other hand, when your testosterone goes up, so does your sex drive.
Testosterone also regulates muscle mass and strength and bone density and is involved in the production of red blood cells. Important all around!
Prostate health
The research surrounding probiotics and prostate health is a bit preliminary, but it's worth mentioning that there's been some promising evidence that suggests probiotics may play a role in supporting the health of the prostate gland2.*
Aside from these specific benefits for men, there are general benefits of taking probiotics, too. Probiotics:
- Support digestion and contribute to bowel function and bowel movement regularity.*
- Help maintain a healthy weight3.*
- Help regulate mood4.*
- Strengthen and support your immune system5.*
- Promote metabolic health.*
What our reviewers say about mindbodygreen probiotic+
The takeaway
There's highly promising research that probiotics can support overall health for everyone.*
Aside from some potential specific benefits for men, there are also general benefits to consider, like promoting proper digestion and nutrient absorption, easing bloat, and supporting a healthy weight.*
All of these benefits make it worth adding a high-quality probiotic supplement to your routine (after you get the OK from your doctor).
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