Probiotics are naturally found in your gut and are the healthy bacteria needed for your body to function at its best. You may be getting probiotics in the foods you eat, such as:
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Tempeh
- Sauerkraut
- Kombucha
- Miso
If you’re not eating probiotic-rich foods, you can reap numerous health and wellness improvements by taking probiotic supplements.
You might be surprised to learn about all the benefits of probiotics for men.
Here's what you need to know!
Here are the 3 best probiotics for men!
What is the Gut Microbiome?
The human microbiome is a collection of microbes, such as healthy bacteria, that live within the human body — especially the gut. The Baylor College of Medicine reports that microbes outnumber human cells in the body by a ratio of 10 to 1 — and that microbial cells, though extremely small, may account for up to 5 pounds of body weight in healthy adults.
When you think about bacteria, you might associate these microbes with illnesses or infections. However, healthy bacteria inside your body that make up your microbiome are an essential part of staying alive.
Good bacteria in your gut help:
- Digest food
- Produce vitamins
- Enhance and regulate the immune system
- Protect against disease-causing bacteria
- Lower your chance of becoming ill
Studies have barely scratched the surface and are ongoing to find out more about the human microbiome and the various strains of healthy bacteria that inhabit the gut.
The goal of the Human Microbiome Project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is to facilitate research to further understand the impact of the human microbiome on health and disease.
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How Probiotics Benefit Your Health
While probiotics are naturally found in your gut, research shows there are numerous health and wellness benefits associated with ingesting probiotics in fortified foods and supplements, such as:
Healthy Weight Management and Appetite Control
Various studies show the benefits of probiotics on appetite control and healthy weight management. While more research is needed to learn the specifics about this topic, one study published in the journal Nutrients found that in men, a lactobacillus probiotics strain appears to boost satiety, regulate appetite, decrease emotional eating, and help manage obesity.
Reduced Cholesterol and Heart Disease Risks
A review published in Tropical Life Sciences Research found that probiotics, especially lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains, help reduce high blood cholesterol. Probiotics-rich foods (such as yogurt) and supplements studied in this review helped:
- Reduce total cholesterol
- Lower LDL cholesterol (unhealthy cholesterol)
- Reduce triglycerides
- Increase HDL cholesterol (healthy cholesterol)
Because probiotics have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels within your body, these healthy bacteria appear to also lower your risk for developing heart disease, which is the leading cause of death among U.S. adults.
Diabetes Management
A study published in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research found that diabetes is related to bacteria in your gut and that healthy bacteria appear to help improve insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and complications related to diabetes.
Researchers found that ingesting probiotics, especially lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains, may even help prevent diabetes.
Improved Skin Conditions
Believe it or not, ingesting plenty of probiotics regularly may help improve the appearance of your skin and reduce symptoms associated with certain skin conditions. A study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that probiotics appear to prevent or treat the following skin problems:
- Eczema
- Acne
- Atopic dermatitis
- Allergic inflammation
- Skin damage from UV rays
- Wounds
More research is needed to determine which strains and dosages are most effective for these skin conditions. Researchers say probiotics also benefit the skin when applied topically or used in cosmetic products.
Reduced Gastrointestinal Conditions
Reduced diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems are other perks of taking probiotic supplements or eating probiotic-rich foods. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says probiotics help prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics or infections, and these supplements may ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (such as abdominal pain and bloating). Probiotics reduce the severity of all-cause diarrhea as well.
The lactobacillus probiotics strain helps treat children with rotaviral diarrhea. MedlinePlus says children with rotavirus may get over diarrhea three days sooner when ingesting lactobacillus and recommends taking at least 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) during the first 48 hours of diarrhea onset.
Improved Oral Health
You might be surprised to learn that probiotics may help improve oral health, especially your teeth and gums. Research is ongoing to determine which strains and dosages are most effective, but a study published in Tropical Life Science and Research says ingesting probiotics regularly helps prevent:
- Dental caries (cavities)
- Periodontal disease (gum disease)
- Halitosis (bad breath)
The main reason probiotics are beneficial for oral health conditions is because good bacteria help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.
Better Psychological Health
It might seem surprising that bacteria that make up your microbiome may improve your psychological health, but early research indicates that this is indeed the case! A review published in Clinics and Practice found that there’s a link between your gut, brain, and microbiome, and a healthy microbiome appears to reduce depression and anxiety.
The researchers say numerous studies show ingesting probiotics reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, similar to taking prescription medicines for these mental health conditions.
The study in Tropical Life Science says while more research is needed, probiotics supplements may also help manage stress.
Improved Immunity
Ingesting plenty of probiotics regularly appears to boost your immune system and prevent illnesses. A review published in the British Journal of Nutrition says probiotics reduce the duration of illnesses in healthy adults and kids.
Another study published in CMAJ found that probiotics may help prevent upper respiratory infections, but more research is needed in this area.
Learn more about the benefits of probiotics for men!
Maximizing the Benefits of Probiotics for Men
To maximize all of the health and wellness benefits probiotics have to offer, it’s best to establish healthy living habits in all areas of your life, including the following healthy lifestyle tips and tricks:
Take Additional Supplements
In addition to taking probiotics supplements, look for a men’s multivitamin supplement containing all of the essential vitamins and minerals your body requires on a day-to-day basis.
It’s best to meet daily nutrient needs by eating healthy foods, but a multivitamin supplement helps prevent deficiencies that may arise. Consider taking an omega-3 supplement as well, as many Americans fail to meet recommended levels of this essential nutrient.
Get Enough Sleep
In addition to consuming probiotics regularly, getting plenty of sleep is the key to staying as healthy as possible.
A good night’s sleep boosts energy, lowers your risk for gradual weight gain and obesity, and decreases food cravings for sweets, salty foods, high-calorie foods, and other junk foods, says the University of California at Berkeley. Aim to get about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
Exercise at Least 30 Minutes Daily
You don’t have to exercise for hours on end to reap the health and wellness benefits of exercise. Simply aim to work out at least 30 minutes daily and stay more active throughout the entire day by moving or standing more and sitting less.
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Practice the Perfect Plate Method
Using our Perfect Plate method is simple and doesn't take much planning. It's basic but effective, and here's everything you need to know about it:
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- Half of each plate should be vegetables, particularly lower-calorie, non-starchy ones (remember, green is good).
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- One-fourth of each plate should be nutritious, protein-rich foods (turkey, chicken, lean beef, tuna).
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- One-fourth of each plate should be fiber-rich carbohydrates (sweet potato, brown rice, quinoa).
Also, be sure to mix in healthy fats at each meal, consume three servings of dairy foods or plant-based alternatives (plant milk or plant-based yogurt) daily, and eat about two servings of fruit each day.
Avoid Smoking and Excessive Drinking
Smoking and excessive drinking increases your risk for numerous health problems, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the case of smoking, and liver disease from excessive alcohol.
Drinking too much may also cause unwanted weight gain and boost your risk for overweight and obesity. To maximize your health, nix tobacco and keep alcohol intake as low as possible.
Take Probiotics Supplements in Recommended Dosages
The key to reaping the health and wellness benefits of probiotics for men is to ingest the right dosage. There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for probiotics supplements, but the American Family Physician says common dosages are 5 to 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for children and 10 to 20 CFUs per day for adults. Always check with your doctor to know for sure.
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Which Probiotics for Men Are the Best?
Numerous probiotics for men are available, which is why choosing the right brand might seem like a daunting task. There are several things to look for when choosing the best probiotics for men:
- Choose probiotics supplements containing multiple probiotics strains.
- Opt for shelf-stable probiotics supplements to increase the likelihood of microbe survival.
- Pick probiotics for men that are third-party tested for quality of purity.
- Look for probiotics supplements containing at least 1 billion CFUs per serving.
- Choose probiotics that are free from added sugar and extra calories.
Third-party reviewers tested different brands of probiotics for men to check quality and purity, and some of the supplements tested contained very few (if any) living organisms.
Do your research and know before you buy!
In addition to taking probiotics supplements, maintain a healthy weight and make healthy lifestyle choices to maximize all of the benefits probiotics for men offer.
Erin Coleman is a registered and licensed dietitian with over 15 years of freelance writing experience. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and completed her dietetic internship at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Prior to beginning her career in medical content writing, Erin worked as Health Educator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Internal Medicine. Her published work appears on hundreds of health and fitness websites, and she’s currently working on publishing her first book! Erin is a wife, and a Mom to two beautiful children.Erin Coleman, B.S. Nutritional Science, R.D., L.D.
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*Please know that weight loss results and health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on probiotics for men.