What are the best probiotics for men?
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Probiotics are the good bacteria that live in your gut and are vital for the body. There are various types of these bacteria that have different functions and can affect different parts of your body. Taking a probiotic supplement can help to make sure you have a healthy balance of good bacteria, helping to keep you feeling happy and healthy. Men, women and children can all benefit from taking probiotics. In this article, we’ll look into the ways probiotics can help men in particular and which are the top probiotics for men.
Why should men take probiotics?
Although everyone can benefit from taking probiotics, there are a few particular reasons why men should take them. Male and female bodies do differ slightly in their needs, so probiotics can help with certain areas that men are more likely to need help with – including things like prostate health, testosterone levels, and metabolism. Some probiotics are targeted to help certain issues with their formula, whereas others are a general all-rounder. If you want help with specific aspects of your body or health, be sure to check which strain of probiotic you want.
Benefits of probiotics
Probiotics help to ensure you have a healthy microbiome in your gut. The good bacteria in your intestines promote health from inside out. They help with important bodily functions and have a range of health benefits. It’s a bit of a cycle, really: the main benefit of taking a probiotic is that it helps keep you healthy – which in turn, supports the immune system and helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The best probiotics for men
The best probiotic for men very much depends on what you want the probiotic for. All probiotics will have health benefits, and most are good all-rounders – but if you want to target something specific, there are a few different options. We’ll look at the common reasons men take probiotics and which is the best one to choose for each one.
Probiotics for weight loss
Which are the best probiotics for men’s weight loss is a common question, as it’s usually one of the main reasons men want to take a probiotic. For weight loss, a good probiotic is anything that contains a Lactobacillus strain, as there have been various studies showing that this family can help you lose weight and belly fat.
In particular, you want to look out for Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus gasseri. One study has shown that taking L. sakei helps to decrease body fat and waist circumference. There have also been various studies, like this one that have shown L. gasseri to help reduce fat and body weight in adults. You'll find Lactobacillus strains in the OptiBac for Everyday range – try OptiBac Probiotics For Every Day Extra Strength 30 Capsules for an extra probiotic boost.
Probiotics for prostate health
Although more research is needed, there looks to be a promising link between healthy gut bacteria and prostate health. One study has suggested that gut bacteria influenced the response to ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) as well as modulating anti-tumour effects of other drugs. It’s also been suggested that probiotics could help with enlarged prostates that are associated with UTIs in men. Although we’re only just starting to get evidence and research behind this, generally having a healthy gut can help with prostate health – so taking a probiotic is a good idea.
Probiotics for digestion
Fun act: men tend to have higher energy demands than women, so it’s important that they can digest their food and absorb nutrients efficiently. However, it is thought that 11% of men in the UK suffer from irritable bowel syndrome – which, as we know, can affect mental health too.
Any probiotic will help to improve gut health, as it will add good bacteria to your digestive system. However, the Bifidobacterium and particularly Saccharomyces boulardii species are especially helpful for things like bloating and stomach pains; common signs of IBS. Taking OptiBac Probiotics Saccharomyces Boulardii 80 Capsules can help with IBS symptoms, bloating, and diarrhoea.
Probiotics for men over 60
As we age, our body tends to need a little extra help to keep going. And as you start getting into your sixties, the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species in the gut start to decline. This causes your gut microbiome to be out of balance; that’s not a great thing, so replenishing these species with a probiotic is a good idea (remember the Optibac for Every Day range we mentioned? That has both Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains, so it's perfect for giving you a boost – there's even an extra high-strength version: OptiBac for Every Day Max 30 Capsules.)
When it comes to the importance of having a balanced microbiome in men, there’s believed to be a link between Parkinson’s and gut health. The study found that the probiotic Bacillus subtlis could protect against the build-up of the protein associated with this disease, but also clear some clumps already formed. As Parkinson’s is more common in men, it’s especially important for men over 60 to make sure they have a healthy gut with probiotics.
Probiotics for testosterone levels
As men age, their testosterone levels drop. This can affect other areas of health, causing an increase in body fat, a decrease in energy levels, low mood and more. However, probiotics can help to increase testosterone levels, and so help with these issues too.
A study with ageing mice showed that giving them lactobacillus reuteri in their drinking water increased their serum testosterone levels – so probiotics could be handy to start taking!
Probiotics and Sperm Count
Related to testosterone levels in men is sperm count – and if taking probiotics can increase testosterone levels, it should also increase sperm count.
One study analysed the predominant bacteria in the sperm of 97 men in relation to the quality of their sperm. This study showed that men with good sperm samples had high levels of Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, Prevotella, and Gardnerella species in their sperm: suggesting that there’s a connection between bacteria in the gut and infertility in men.
Probiotics for men
On the whole, probiotics can have a number of benefits for everyone, but there are some benefits that are specific for men – so it might be time to look into it. Having a good balance of gut bacteria can help with a variety of other health issues, such as prostate health, sexual health and weight loss. When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, adding a probiotic to your diet can definitely be a bonus.
Ready to try taking probiotics for men? Now you know what you’re looking for, check out our Probiotics section for next-day delivery on these body-boosting supplements.
