Benefits of Probiotics for Men’s Health

Ross Pelton is a pharmacist, nutritionist, author and a health educator who is widely recognized as the world’s leading authority on drug-induced nutrient depletions. He was named one of the top 50 most influential pharmacists in the United States by American Druggist magazine for his work in Natural Medicine.

The medical community has ample evidence that probiotics are helpful for the human body. Researchers have done over 1,500 studies on how these friendly organisms affect the human microbiome, the vast collection of microorganisms that live in and on the human body, exploring their positive effects on digestive, mental, emotional, and immune system health.

After initial promising research results, new studies focus on which strains of bacteria have the most significant positive effect on the function of the body. Research has included people of all ages and genders, with encouraging results across the board.

Men have specialized health needs that have shown improvement with probiotic use. Below, we’ll explore these needs and the benefits of probiotics for men’s health.

What Is the Human Biome?

Each of us has billions of bacteria, yeasts, and viruses living in and on our bodies. The medical community used to think we needed to eradicate these for optimum health. Then we learned that friendly microorganisms living in our digestive tracts and on our skin provide multiple benefits for our bodies and help keep pathogenic bacteria under control.

The friendly organisms are called probiotics, defined as “…live microorganisms intended to have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body.” Scientists are finding that these tiny living creatures have an oversized impact on the human body.

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics

There are three aspects to probiotics that help us understand their actions in the body – prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Scientists have also come up with names to describe the benefits of probiotics on different body systems. We’ll explore a few of them here.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are undigestible fibers that pass whole through the digestive tract because we cannot digest them. However, our friendly bacteria love them! Prebiotics are food for these helpful microorganisms. Here are a few examples of common foods that are prebiotics:

Garlic
Onions
Asparagus
Green bananas
Flax seeds
Cocoa powder
Oats
Apples

Probiotics

As previously mentioned, probiotics are friendly bacteria — such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium — that inhabit the human body. There are many strains of these two bacteria, and research has shown that consuming a variety of strains is the most successful strategy to create positive effects in the body. A common friendly yeast is Saccharomyces boulardii.

When these microorganisms enter the digestive tract, they must do so in a way that protects them from the harsh stomach acids that could kill them. Once they reach the intestines, the bacteria feed on the prebiotics available there.

Postbiotics

When probiotics metabolize prebiotics, beneficial postbiotic metabolites are created. Different postbiotic metabolites are created by different types of bacteria and they perform a variety of useful functions. Postbiotics can:

Digest food.
Keep pathogenic bacteria in balance.
Produce vitamins B and K.
Absorb minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.
Break down carbohydrates.
Make short-chain fatty acids that help the body use sugar and energy more efficiently.
Break down medications.

Studies show a positive correlation between postbiotics and positive effects on many bodily systems:

Immune system
Digestive system
Mental health and mood

Synbiotics

Scientists have coined the term “synbiotics” to describe the combination of probiotics and prebiotics and how they work together synergistically for more significant benefits. When you consume the two together, and the probiotics arrive in the gut with food available, they can better survive the stomach acids and thrive in the intestines.

Psychobiotics

Another term researchers have coined is “psychobiotics.” It refers to a class of probiotics found to have mental health benefits for human beings. Commonly used psychobiotic strains include Lactobacilli, Streptococci, Bifidobacteria, Escherichia, and Enterococci.

This class of probiotic strains stimulates the production of certain neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids, enteroendocrine hormones, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Scientists believe these chemicals support mental and emotional health and positively impact stress, mood, cognition, and other neurological concerns.

Benefits of Probiotics for Men

Since the gut excretes and circulates sex hormones, scientists believe there is a link between gut microbiota and hormones. They do not fully understand the connection and recommend more research, but studies indicate that probiotics are helpful for men’s health in several areas.

Prostate Health

Prostate health is a concern for many men. Researchers have found that probiotic treatment reduces prostate inflammation by decreasing E. coli and E. faecalis in urine cultures. Reducing inflammation is important because chronic inflammation (prostatitis) can lead to other concerns.

Testosterone Levels

Most people believe that testosterone levels naturally decrease as men age, which is the case for most men. However, recent animal studies may show that to be false. A study indicated that consuming Lactobacillus reuteri improved testosterone levels in mice of equivalent age compared to a control group that did not.

Researchers found some typical signs of aging were restored to youthful levels when inflammation decreased. They think that probiotic supplementation may help with male hypogonadism and provide an option for improving testosterone levels without the side effects of traditional treatments.

Mental Health

Scientists have confirmed constant communication between the gut and the central nervous system. They call this the gut-brain axis, which links emotions and gut health. They found that intestinal issues can cause anxiety, stress, and depression. Conversely, those with mental health challenges have a different microbiome than those without. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients had a distinct gut microbial profile with less diversity than those without the conditions.

Researchers believe that probiotic treatment can support mental health but recommend more research to determine the amounts and types of bacteria most helpful for various conditions.

Heart Health

One in five deaths in the U.S. yearly can be attributed to an unhealthy heart. In 2021, that amounted to 695,000 people, 384,886 of whom were men. Heart concerns are the leading cause of death for men in the U.S. Probiotics have shown promise in reducing inflammation and other concerns often associated with poor heart health. Research in this field continues but early indications are hopeful.

Weight Management and Metabolism

Obese people tend to have less diverse gut bacteria than lean ones. They also tend to gain more weight than other obese people who have a greater variety of gut bacteria. While scientists do not fully understand this mechanism, they suspect that certain probiotics influence appetite and energy usage.

Researchers believe that probiotics could keep dietary fat from absorbing, causing an individual to absorb fewer calories and that probiotics may help regulate appetite and increase fat-regulating proteins. In addition, inflammation can drive obesity, and probiotics are known to help reduce inflammation.

Choosing the Right Probiotic

When you decide to try probiotics, make sure you choose a high-quality product like Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplements. Some probiotic supplements can contain allergens that cause additional issues in the body. Read the label for the supplement’s probiotic strains and check the “other ingredients.” Is the product free from chemicals and other substances you do not recognize? Here are a few things to look for in a quality probiotic:

Multiple strains
Shelf-stable
Contains prebiotic support
Hypoallergenic – contains no gluten or dairy
All-natural ingredients
Free of chemicals, preservatives, coloring, flavoring, and animal by-products

Check with Your Doctor

Most medical sources consider probiotics generally safe, but it’s always best to consult your medical practitioner before starting. If you are immune compromised or have had a recent surgery or hospitalization, it is especially critical to check with your doctor before consuming a probiotic supplement.

FAQs on Probiotics for Men’s Health

What are the main benefits of probiotics for men?

Recent studies indicate that improving gut health with probiotics can support men’s hormones, mental health, and heart health.

How do probiotics specifically affect men’s health differently than women’s?

Men and women have different symptoms under similar conditions. For instance, women have more lower digestive issues, and men have more upper gastrointestinal concerns. It is essential to target the most common issues each gender experiences.

Which strains of probiotics are best for men’s health?

The best probiotic supplements for men include Lactobacilli, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococci bacteria strains.

A Few Final Words About Men’s Gut Health

Probiotics show great promise in boosting men’s health by supporting hormonal, mental, and physical systems. They offer a holistic approach to greater well-being through improved gut health.

We formulate Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics with a combination of ancient Japanese wisdom and modern science to provide the highest quality probiotic supplement on the market. Contact us if we can help answer any of your questions about probiotics.