Similarities Between The Vaginal And Gut Microbiomes
As for Bifidobacterium, a study in the late 1990s on 56 healthy women of reproductive age showed that four strains dominated the vaginal colony: B. bifidum, B. breve, B. adolescentis 2, and B. longum.
Just like in the gut, B. bifidum G1 has a hard time adhering to cell walls. But the other three strains of Bifidobacterium showed high capability in vaginal epitheliocyte adhesion. Along with being one of the predominant vaginal and adult GI microflora, Bifidobacterium is also the dominant intestinal bacteria in healthy, breast-fed infants
The second, and perhaps most significant genus of microflora forvaginal health is Lactobacillus.* Lactobacillus exists in the high quantity in the gut as well. In the human GI tract, some of the most common strains are L. rhamnosus GG, L. casei Shirota YIT9029, L. casei DN-114 001, L. johnsonii NCC 533, L. acidophilus LB, and L. reuteri DSM 17938, and L. plantarum.
So, you can see that there is a lot of cross-over between the two microbiomes.
Why Are Men’s Probiotic Needs Different To Women
So, how individualized should your probiotics be? Aragona says that men and women often experience different digestive issues, which is another reason they tend to require different probiotics.
The type of probiotic strain being ingested is always dependent on the person, as not one person has the same gut bacteria or microbiome, he says. And the same goes for men’s and womens probiotics. While they offer similar benefits, ultimately, they have been made specifically for their sex. For example, while women more commonly experience greater issues in the lower digestive tracts, such as constipation or IBS, men experience more in the upper gastrointestinal such as acid reflux, and so the needs differ and it is best to stick to the probiotic made for you.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.
Are Probiotic Supplements Actually Effective
There are claims that probiotics may be a safe and effective way to improve mens health. But these reported benefits vary, based on the specific strain, the dosage, and the person.
Although a daily supplement may be convenient, those currently available arent a magic solution.
Dietary supplements arent subject to the same United States Food and Drug Administration testing and regulations as drugs and medicines.
Even if manufacturers make safe products responsibly, this doesnt mean that the bacteria in the supplement will benefit your health.
Beyond this, some evidence suggests that the probiotics in foods may be more beneficial for your overall health than those in a pill.
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What To Expect From The Best Probiotics For Men
Men seeking good probiotic supplements often want many of the same things women do, such as better immune function, more energy, and, of course, better gut health.
All of the best probiotics can deliver improvements in all these areas and more.
However, men face very specific health issues that are less common in women. For instance, men are more apt to suffer from enlargement of the prostate gland.
Men are also prone to a variety of issues due to low testosterone. Certain probiotics may be helpful in this area as well and have even been linked to improvements in sperm quality and fertility.
In the following section, we are going to look at three probiotic supplements that are excellent choices for men.
We are not going to try and tell you one is better than the other. All we will do is point out their strengths in certain areas. Once you know what each one brings to the table, it should become easier to make your choice.
Effect Of Vaginal Transplantation Of L Crispatus On Offspring Health
To further assess whether L. crispatus mediated the spermicidal effect of bacteria on the offspring, we compared the offspring whose maternal vaginal tracts were transplanted with PBS, broad-spectrum antibiotics , and L. crispatus. As presented in Supplementary Figure 4, ABX greatly reduced the overall microbial abundance including the observed species , Shannon , and Simpson indices, increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria at the phylum level, increased the relative abundance of Mannheimia at the genus level, and made a significant division of the ABX group from the C group.
Then, we compared the fertility outcomes in the C, ABX, and L groups. As shown in Figures 6AC, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and L. crispatus both reduced the conception rates of rats , and L. crispatus had more pup number after conception compared with the ABX group , and no obvious difference was observed between C and L groups.
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Garden Of Life Raw Probiotics Men 50 & Wiser
Aging comes with a fresh set of health concerns including more frequent constipation, depression, loss of bone density, and memory loss. Probiotics can help with these concerns at any age. Like the Garden of Life products listed above, were not sure if this particular supplement lives up to its claims, but it includes digestive enzymes that may be especially useful for older men. This is because as we age, we naturally make fewer digestive enzymes which can impact nutrient absorption and the GI tract as a whole.
This probiotic contains other minerals as well as raw food ingredients so just remember to read the full label.
- Dosage/day: 3 capsules per day
- Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, soy-free, raw, non-GMO, contains dairy
- Clinical studies using final formulation: No
Probiotics For Mens Health
Certain probiotic strains can target aspects of mens health, including hormone levels, reproduction, fertility, and prostate function.
Some bacterial species that benefit mens health include Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei, which may improve testosterone levels, prostate health, and fertility.
The species Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum have also been studied for their role in enhancing sperm quality, which could lead to improved male reproduction and fertility.
The probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri has also been shown to boost testosterone levels in animal studies, but human research has not verified this yet.
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Eat More Sweet Potatoes For Bv
These potatoes have some sweet benefits, even for your vaginal health. Rich in beta carotene and vitamin A, sweet potatoes help keep your mucous membranes healthy. This means they can help prevent bacterial vaginosis , a common vaginal infection. Vitamin A deficiency, along with deficiencies in vitamins C, D, E, calcium, folate, and beta-carotene, is linked to an increased risk of BV. So, eat up!
Sweet potatoes are also high in fiber, which may help in those with polycystic ovary syndrome . Insulin resistance is common with PCOS so by regulating blood sugar over the course of several months, the fiber in sweet potatoes may promote fertility and help to reduce symptoms.
How Long Do I Need To Take Male Fertility Supplements
It depends on their type and formulation, as well as on your health condition and the cause of fertility issues.
Usually, one bottle contains enough servings to set you up for 4-8 weeks of supplementation. Some supplements, including some of those listed above, are designed for a longer course up to 12 weeks. However, most fertility blends should be taken until the conception happens and your partner gets pregnant, which may happen sooner.
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Six Benefits Of Probiotics For Men
We look into the reasons why probiotics for men might promote good health, and why mens probiotic needs may differ from womens
What are probiotics for men and why might you need to be taking them? If youre concerned about your gut heath, and want to know how you can help to boost your digestive function and potentially improve your immunity and mental health, probiotics have the potential to support you in these areas. On top of this, they may help with weight loss, which can be useful for men over 50, after testosterone drop off makes it harder to keep body fat down.
Dr Giuseppe Aragona, a GP and online doctor for OnlinePrescriptionDoctor , explains the benefits of probiotics on mens health. One of the best ways to take care of your digestive and overall health is through probiotic supplements, he says. Probiotics are beneficial micro-organisms that live in your gut and help to support your physical and mental health. Every person’s gut microbiome has different bacteria so your body’s reaction to probiotics may be different to someone else. However, overall probiotics are beneficial for men’s health, and support wellbeing. Not sure which supplement may be right for you? Our buying guide on best probiotics can be a good starting point.
Below, well delve into each benefit of probiotics for men, and give you an overall idea of why your probiotic needs might be different as a man.
Probiotics May Help With Weight Loss
Multiple research studies indicate that the composition of the gut microbiome is linked to a persons body weight.
While research is still in its early stages, it has shown that certain types of probiotic bacteria are more common in thin people and other types are more common in overweight individuals. Depending on which type of bacteria you have more of, your weight can be affected.
In addition, if your gut microbiome is out of balance, there is an opportunity for bad bacteria and other pathogens, such as Candida, to grow. Many of these pathogens send signals to the brain that encourage the body to crave sugar because sugar is what these pathogens survive on. The more sugar you eat, the better these pathogens can thrive!
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Best For Chronic Digestive Issues: Ancient Nutrition Gut Restore
Best for: Men with gas, bloating, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome .
One of the leading benefits of the Ancient Nutrition SBO Probiotics Gut Restore is the SBO part of its name.
Standing for soil-based organisms, SBO probiotics are microbes that naturally occur in soilthey are resilient, shelf-stable, and designed to thrive in the high temperatures of the gut.
The Ancient Nutrition Gut Restore probiotic uses a trifecta approach to heal the gut, with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbioticsbeneficial metabolites that are created when probiotics consume prebiotic fibers.
Two unique ingredients in this probiotic are the organic fermented licorice root and marshmallow root, which are soothing botanicals that can restore gut integrity and reduce inflammation.
This probiotic is best for men with digestive concerns because it contains 25 billion CFUs from four microbial strains , which are a proprietary and clinically studied blend that may reduce constipation, gas, and bloating while supporting healthy bowel transit and digestion.
Main Benefits Of Biotics 8
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Improves gut health
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Bifidobacterium bifidum
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Saccharomyces Boulardii
As you can see, Biotics 8 contains a rich variety of probiotic bacteria species. Most of them are taken from the Lactobacillus family but there are several bacterial strains of Bifidobacterium bacteria as well.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a notable inclusion because it’s not a bacteria. It’s a probiotic yeast. Not many probiotic brands contain it.
Most of the benefits Saccharomyces boulardii provides begin and end in the bowel.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a very interesting species of probiotic strains. It offers a huge range of benefits, in and out of the gut. Research shows that one of the things this probiotic appears to do is enhance testicular tissues and male fertility hormone levels.
Lactobacillus casei is one of the best additions to this probiotic product for men. Research shows strains from this family can be very good for tackling chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Lactobacillus plantarum is another good inclusion. Research involving this probiotic bacteria species and inulin suggests Lactobacillus plantarum may improve male fertility by enhancing testicular tissue along with sperm motility and viability.
Some research shows Lactobacillus paracasei may improve sperm quality by protecting the testicles from oxidative stress so it’s another potentially good probiotic for men.
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Can I Quickly Increase My Sperm Count
For starters, lets define what quickly means. Usually, sperm quality doesnt drop overnight, so its impossible to restore it at once either. But if you go gradually and have some level of commitment to your new lifestyle habits and diet changes, you might increase your sperm count, as well as other parameters, in about a month or two.
Choosing The Most Effective Probiotic For Men
When it comes to choosing the most effective probiotic supplements, it’s always the known abilities of the probiotic species that count, not the marketing angle. Probiotics don’t have to be made for men to provide the right kind of results.
The best probiotic supplement for each man will depend on which areas of male health matter to him the most. For instance, some men are mostly interested in finding a probiotic that supports good prostate health. Others may prefer a probiotic that raises testosterone levels or helps increase fertility.
But, hey man! Regardless of your personal goals, be assured there are probiotic supplements that can help.
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Probiotics To Help You Get Pregnant
We are now facing lower fertility rates than ever before, with as many as one in seven couples in the UK struggling to conceive . The numbers of couples undergoing fertility treatments, such as IVF, each year are growing dramatically, and success rates for the treatment are still relatively low. The HFEA reports that only around 26% of total IVF cycles result in a live birth although figures vary greatly between different maternal age groups. Scientists are looking for answers as to what is fuelling our decline towards lower fertility and conception rates. Many avenues are being explored, including a small number of clinical trials which have looked at the potential role of probiotics for fertility.
Maintain And Restore Bone Health
Our beneficial bacteria restore and maintain our intestinal health. This allows our gut with its billions of probiotics to properly sort through what we ingest and absorb all the nutrients we need and excrete any waste. Probiotics assist our body in getting the vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain bone health, also in old age.
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Probiotics Can Help With Diarrhea
There are four common causes for diarrhea and probiotics can help in every case.
Foreign Pathogens
Diarrhea is a natural and highly effective way that the body gets rid of harmful substances, including pathogens . The body responds by getting rid of these dangerous invaders as fast as possible. This happens when you have a stomach bug, food poisoning and travelers diarrhea.
Specific strains of probiotic bacteria can fight certain bad bacteria and viruses. Probiotics also positively influence the gut microbiome so that there is less room for pathogens to flourish.
Certain Medications
Certain medications, like antibiotics, severely compromise your gut microbiome. Probiotics restore and maintain a healthy gut microbiome when taking strong medications. Research shows that probiotics can significantly reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Inflammation in the Bowels
Some chronic diseases, like inflammatory bowel syndrome and Crohns, are often associated with diarrhea. In addition, certain foods cause inflammation in the gut, including dairy, gluten and processed sugar. Probiotics strengthen the gut barrier function, which is compromised when the gut gets inflamed.
Physical and Emotional Stress
Stress also causes inflammation in the gut, leading to diarrhea. In stressful times, your body produces hormones that speed up the movement of your large intestine and you experience this as diarrhea.
Foods To Improve Sperm Count
All the vitamins and antioxidants used for making fertility supplements are derived from food sources. Heres a brief list of foods that increase sperm count and contribute to sperm health:
- Seafood. Shellfish, oysters, and crabs are a great source of zinc, which, as mentioned above, is very beneficial for sperm health.
- Whole grains and nuts. Aside from containing zinc, these are rich in folate a B vitamin that can increase the percentage of active sperm cells and improve their motility.
- Dairy and eggs. Dairy products can fuel you with B12 vitamin, which may positively affect sperm count and reduce DNA damage in the cells.
- Colorful fruits and veggies . These are rich in vitamin C, which is needed for maintaining healthy morphology, motility, and vitality of sperm cells.
- Lean meat, organ meat, and poultry. Meat products can replenish your levels of coenzyme CoQ10, which is linked to better sperm motility and count.
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Probiotic Supplements For Men And Male Health
There is a growing interest in gender-specific dietary supplements. Many men want supplements that are “made for men,” while a lot of women have a preference for supplements designed with women in mind.
Although it’s easy to understand how certain types of supplements, such as testosterone boosters, may be more suitable for men, it’s hard to see how this could be true for probiotics. Nevertheless, it is. Certain strains of probiotic bacteria offer benefits that can be very attractive and beneficial to men.
However, whenever a manufacturer says its probiotic supplement is made for men, it’s best not to take anything at face value. It’s far too easy to be misled.
Strange as it may seem, many of the best probiotic supplements for men are not sold with this claim. In fact, some of the most important man-specific benefits are not even mentioned in the marketing campaigns.
Because probiotics have such a strong association with gut health, and quite rightly so, manufacturers often focus on their abilities in this area. They may also highlight their use of probiotic bacteria that boosts immunity, fights fatigue, improves the digestive system, or is associated with other areas of health that are likely to interest typical probiotic supplement users.
This article provides information about the best probiotic supplements for men. It’s based on science, not marketing claims, and is the result of much in-depth research.
