Unless this is your first time on the internet or you’ve been hibernating for the last 6 months, chances are you’ve heard of probiotics. You may already know on a  basic level that they’re good for your gut health. But… The question is, do they have any targeted benefits for you men out there, and if so, what are the best probiotics for men?

I dug deep for you men, I did my research and tapped into the latest and greatest health benefits to find out if these gut health miracle supplements are for the boys too (we wouldn’t want you to feel left out 😉) 

So let’s get to the best probiotics for men, and why you’re gonna want to start takin em’.

Should Men Take Probiotics?

Most experts agree, with a resounding YES! Men should take probiotics (and so should women!)

While it’s impossible to put an exact number on how many folks have a suboptimal gut balance or GI needs. It’s safe to say that a large number of people are affected. And thanks to reliance on processed foods, low-fiber diets and increasing stress levels, those numbers are only increasing. 

Since taking a daily probiotic is completely safe for most people (although you may experience some initial side effects), according to most physicians, there really is no harm in trying one to see if it works for you. If you have any health concerns or conditions, it’s best to check with your doctor first, though. (I’m no MD 😂)

Probiotic Benefits For Men

While still an emerging area of scientific investigation, there’s promising research that a high-quality probiotic can help support various aspects of health, such as:


 

Sexual Health + Mood and Sleep 

Okay! Who doesn’t want better sexual health 😉. 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, by increasing the amount of tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin) in the blood. 

Healthy Testosterone Levels 

At the age of 30, men naturally experience a decline in testosterone, the 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 essential sex hormones – a combination that may improve sperm quality (Bingo! If you’re working on your fertility game) 

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. (She’ll thank you later) 

Testosterone also regulates muscle mass, 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 gland.

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 movements, regularly.
• Help maintain a healthy weight.
• Help regulate mood. 
• Strengthen and support your immune system.
• Promote metabolic health.
  
  
  

How To Choose The Best Probiotics For Men

There are several probiotics that are specifically targeted toward 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,(like women 😝) 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, it goes TRIPLE for probiotics. What we’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.
  
  
  

Top Picks For The Best Probiotics For Men

Mindbodygreen Probiotic+

Mindbodygreen’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.**

RenewLife Ultimate Flora – Men’s Care Probiotic 

Renew 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.

It’s worth noting that this, daily probiotic supplement is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and Non-GMO Project Verified, and is a shelf-stable probiotic.

Metagenics UltraFlora Spectrum

This 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. Daily probiotic support for gastrointestinal & immune health

• Features a proprietary blend of B. lactis Bi-07 and L. acidophilus NCFM
• Supports a healthy intestinal environment
  
  
  
  

Nature Made Digestive – Probiotics Ultra Strength

Nature 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.

With just one capsule daily, Nature Made Ultra Strength 12 Strain Probiotics provide 30 billion CFUs of live probiotic cells per serving. Just one capsule daily, Nature Made Ultra Strength 12 Strain Probiotics help relieve occasional gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, constipation and irregularity while helping to support healthy gut flora. When you keep your gut happy, it’ll keep you happy too.

Pure Encapsulations ProbioMood

Pure 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. 

Special Features, to note: 

• Clinically researched probiotic combination of strains 
• Developed using an innovative, patented microencapsulation process designed to protect the probiotic strains from harsh conditions, including gastric acidity 
• Convenient shelf-stable, single-serving stick packs 
• Can be taken with or without water
  
  
  
  

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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