Gut health is whole body health.
Your microbiome is a vast ecosystem of microorganisms, such as bacteria, spread throughout your body. The largest numbers are found in the small and large intestines. Think of this gut microbiome as your body’s Grand Central Station. A growing body of evidence suggests that it may influence everything from inflammation, immunity, and brain health (1) to memory, mood, and sleep—even your ability to lose weight—and may play a role in a slew of other conditions and diseases, such as IBS and cancer (2). This is all in addition to what it’s best known for—digesting food.
Taking care of this vital hub of microorganisms may have some major pay-offs. One way to do so, may be with the support of probiotics. Research is accumulating to suggest that probiotics may help to regulate the growth of good gut bacteria. But what, exactly, does that entail, and how do you know which probiotics are best?— Here’s the low-down on the best probiotics for men and all the health benefits that may come along with them.
Best Overall: Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic
Best Comprehensive: Ritual Synbiotic+
Best Dr. Formulated: Garden of Life Once Daily Men’s
Best Soil-Based: Ancient Nutrition SBO Probiotics Ultimate
Best for Sleep: Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics
Best Gummy Probiotic: Llama Naturals Prebiotic & Probiotic, Whole Fruit Gummies
Physician-Trusted: Align Probiotic 24/7 Digestive Support Pro Formula
Best for Vegans: NOW Probiotic-10, 25 Billion
Best for Weight Loss: Solaray Mycrobiome Probiotic Weight Formula
Best for Immunity: Culturelle Probiotics Health & Wellness
Best for Prostate and Urinary Health: Hyperbiotics Pro-Men Probiotic: Probiotics for Men
Best for Digestive Health: Cymbiotika Probiotic
Best for Athletes: Thorne FloraSport 20B
Our bodies are made up of trillions of bacteria, and while research can’t seem to quite agree on the exact ratio, scientists have proven that our bacterial cells outnumber our human cells (3). Probiotics are the good, live microorganisms that live in your body. Think of the gut as a garden. In this garden, probiotics are the plants and flowers—the good stuff you want to grow and flourish—and the weeds are the bad bacteria you want to keep out.
When we have the right balance of good bacteria in our system, the bad guys are naturally crowded out. But thanks to factors like our Western diet high in processed foods, (4), farming practices, depleted soil biodiversity, and various lifestyle factors (5), the naturally-occurring good bacteria in our gut may be diminished and no longer optimal for keeping the bad bacteria out.
“Too much stress, alcohol, cigarette smoking, not getting enough sleep, sedentary lifestyle, use of antibiotics for an extended period of time, not eating a good variety of foods, not getting enough prebiotics (i.e. ‘food’ for the good-guy bacteria in your gut, soluble fiber for example), and processed foods—particularly those that contain or convert to sugar quickly—are particularly bad for gut health,” says Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS nationally known expert on weight loss and nutrition and author of more than a dozen books including best-seller The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.
This creates a fertile breeding ground for bad bacteria to gain ground, potentially wreaking havoc. It has been associated with digestive upset, fatigue and lethargy, inflammation flare-ups, leaky gut syndrome, skin conditions, and even various other autoimmune diseases and conditions like IBD, allergies, cancer, and diabetes (6). This is why regularly populating your gut with good bacteria—by eating a diverse range of healthy foods, including probiotic-rich foods and considering a daily supplement—may be—is important.
A daily probiotic may offer potential benefits. And it may help reinstate balance and good health in the gut. Research on the microbiome has uncovered countless bodily conditions that may be associated with positive or poor gut health, even some that are of particular interest to men.
Microbiome and probiotic research is a rapidly expanding area of interest. While there is significant overlap between the potential health benefits of probiotics for men and women, there is some evidence to support their benefits for some conditions that are of particular interest to men, such as prostate health, male fertility, and urinary tract health. But probiotics may also offer health benefits for: heart and brain health (7) (specifically memory and mood), immunity (8), and even a good night’s sleep.
“Men’s probiotic needs don’t necessarily differ from women’s probiotic needs in the sense that the primary effects you are going for are essentially the same: balancing gut bacteria, reducing intestinal inflammation, fighting pathogens, and promoting healthy immune system function,” explains Doctor of Natural Medicine and gut-health expert Dr. Michael Ruscio.
“But all of those effects have the potential to exert different downstream benefits depending on the individual. So for men, for example, some preliminary evidence (9) suggests probiotics might offer benefits for prostatitis, a prostate gland condition often associated with inflammation. There may also be a relationship (10) between gut bacteria and men’s sexual health (erectile dysfunction),” adds Dr. Ruscio.
For the latter, in studies, men with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) have been found to have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction; probiotics may be beneficial for IBS by helping to relieve some symptoms. Therefore probiotics may be helpful for men with erectile dysfunction—but since it’s an indirect correlation, more research is needed.
The downsides of daily probiotic use may be minimal compared to the possible benefits. As a male, when you’re supplementing with probiotics for their potential benefits (for immunity, lowering inflammation, fighting pathogens), you may also be supporting several other key systems. It’s a win-win.
Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains are arise from seven core groups, or genera, of microbial organisms (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Bacillus), as well as different strengths, and delivery methods.
You can get probiotics from various food sources like kefir, kimchi, yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh, as long as they contain live cultures, but unless you’re eating a cup of kimchi a day, you may want to take a supplement.
Note: It’s always a good idea to consult with your medical provider about the probiotic you’re considering and before starting any new supplement.
Probiotics are generally considered very safe with minimal risks and side effects. The most common negative reaction to taking a probiotic is the initial digestive upset you might experience as you acclimate, such as bloating, gas, constipation, and even headaches.
In some very rare cases, a probiotic’s label may not represent what’s truly inside, leading to more serious health risks. This is why it’s so important to source a trusted and reputable brand like the ten below.
Seed’s synbiotic features 24 clinically and scientifically studied strains that support digestive health, gut barrier integrity, immune function, heart health, skin health, and more. The inner capsule is a probiotic capsule wrapped by an outer prebiotic capsule to ensure 100 percent of the probiotics are shielded from digestion to make it into the colon. Plus, the glass container is refillable, and all monthly shipments come in eco-friendly packaging.
Ritual’s synbiotic combines both pre- and probiotics, as well as a postbiotic, which helps to support a balanced gut microbiome, for the most well-rounded probiotic of the bunch. Its 11B CFUs come from two of the world’s most clinically studied strains, housed in a delayed-release nested capsule, scientifically proven to reach your colon. If you’re not the biggest fan of taking pills, Ritual’s dose is just one capsule per day, and tastes minty fresh.
Formulated by renowned brain-health expert and bestselling author Dr. Perlmutter, this probiotic was designed specifically with men in mind. It’s made with carefully chosen strains that are resistant to bile and stomach acid in order to better support colon health and to help minimize gas.
Packing 50 billion soil-based probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics per serving, this formula makes a great travel choice for its longer, more stable shelf life and no refrigeration is required. This option may help with gas, diarrhea, ease of elimination, and a surprising one, oral health.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most clinically studied probiotic strains (12) (13) Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 is one of the 10 well-researched strains used in this 70 billion CFU formulation. Each capsule is vegetarian-friendly, and soy- and gluten-free.
A clear winner in the probiotic gummy department, Llama Naturals’ product contains absolutely no sugar or synthetic vitamins. In addition to two strains of probiotics and plant-based prebiotic fiber, it contains organic fruits.
Align boasts that it is a physician-trusted probiotic known for general gut health maintenance that also helps soothe bloating, gas, and discomfort. It is often the go-to probiotic to repopulate good bacteria after a cycle of antibiotics, recommended by gastroenterologists for its strength.
This vegan powerhouse of a probiotic packs ten acid-resistant strains that help colonize the gut with beneficial bacteria. Great for helping with detoxing, proper intestinal motility, and general digestive support, this formulation has 25 billion CFU and is free from milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, gluten, and soy.
With 18 probiotic strains that make up this “probiotic weight formula,” this option claims to manage appetite, balance blood sugar, and support energy, stress, and mood in addition to aiding digestion. The weight formula delivers 50 billion CFUs per once-daily serving.
A healthy gut is one of the best defenses against the many threats to our immune system. This immunity-focused probiotic is formulated with 15 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, one of the most studied probiotic strains, and often lands on top probiotics lists for its effectiveness and popularity.
Tailored specifically for the 50+ crowd, in addition to ticking all the boxes of their 18+ formula, (helps support lean muscle building, satiety, and brain and bone health) this rigorously-tested pea protein is also formulated with the addition of calcium HMB to help support lean muscle maintenance as you age.
Cymbiotika is the leader in natural supplements, and its probiotic is no different. With a proprietary blend that includes 19 probiotic strains, plant-based prebiotics, and a unique blend of herbs and amino acids, it works to restore and maintain healthy gut function. Though you must take three capsules daily, they’ll leave you with a balanced gut microbiome, more energy, less stress, and fewer digestive issues.
Just one small delayed-release capsule of FloraSport 20B provides four unique strains and 20 billion live active cultures. It’s safe for everyone from children to adults to athletes thanks to its resilient formula that survives passage through the stomach to the colon to target gut health, immune function, and exercise recovery. It’s even NSF Certified for Sport, meaning what’s on the label is what’s in the product, and it doesn’t contain unsafe levels of contaminants, prohibited substances, or masking agents.
A well-balanced microbiome is the key to a healthy gut. Taking a daily probiotic with at least 5 billion CFU may help to restore the balance between good and bad bacteria, alleviating ailments like inflammation, digestive upset, and more.
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