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Probiotics are a type of “good” bacteria that occurs naturally in the body. However, some may find that taking probiotic supplements may provide health benefits, particularly for supporting the immune and digestive systems.
A probiotic is a type of live microorganism containing bacteria or yeast. Probiotics are naturally present in the digestive system. A person can also find probiotics in supplements, yogurts, other fermented foods, and beauty products.
The bacteria count in a probiotic product is measurable with the unit CFU and in billions, which stands for “colony-forming unit.” Some people may benefit from a probiotic with a higher CFU count.
There are a variety of strains of bacteria that count as probiotics, but the most common strains include lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.
The bacteria present in probiotics can help with digestion, producing vitamins, and destroying disease-causing cells. Probiotics may help regulate the digestive and immune systems.
Research from 2020 states that probiotics may help reduce constipation. Probiotics may also help reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea and symptoms of ulcerative colitis and help treat gum diseases.
A 2020 review states that probiotics may be beneficial for:
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe and high quality ingredients that are clearly labeled. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
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A person should look out for several things when choosing a supplement. These include:
Third-party testing: Ensure that the product you have chosen has been tested by a third party to ensure the quality of the ingredients and that it contains no contaminants.
COA: This COA contains the results of tests that a third-party laboratory has carried out.
CFU: This stands for a colony-forming unit and is measurable in billions. Some may benefit from a higher CFU-count product.
Probiotics can have a variety of health benefits for males. These health benefits include:
Gut and digestive health:Research from 2019 states that probiotics may help promote a healthy gut. However, the researchers do say that further research is still necessary.
Immune system health: A 2023 review says that probiotics may benefit immune system function. However, the researchers say further studies are necessary to determine the exact relationship between the immune system and probiotics.
Increased male fertility: Research from 2020 states that probiotics may help increase sperm count in men with infertility.
Support body composition: Some research discovered that men taking probiotics saw an improvement in lean body mass and skeletal muscle mass.
Improving cognitive function: There is limited research into this potential benefit. However, a 2021 systematic review states there is some evidence to suggest that probiotic supplement consumption can improve cognitive function.
A person should take care when choosing any supplement, including probiotics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates probiotics for medical purposes. However, the FDA does not consider probiotics to be medications and so does not monitor any claims about the contents of probiotics.
The best probiotic for males will vary between individuals. Some people may benefit from a higher CFU count, whereas others may require tablets rather than capsules.
People may need to try different brands of probiotics before they find the right one to meet their needs.
Probiotics may help with a variety of health benefits. This includes digestive and immune system support, improvement in cognitive function, increasing male fertility, and supporting body composition.
Males may benefit from the most common probiotics: lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
No information suggests that males over 50 should not take probiotics.
Probiotics may be beneficial for male gut health. Some foods that may be beneficial for gut health and digestion include:
Probiotics may benefit males as they can help promote digestive and immune system health. Some research suggests they may also benefit male fertility, cognitive function, and body composition.
Side effects are not common with probiotics. However, side effects may indicate that the good bacteria is working in some cases.
Various probiotics are available for a person to purchase from various brands. A person may need to try a few different brands before finding the one that benefits them the most.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Smarkusz-Zarzecka J, et al. (2020). Analysis of the impact of a multi-strain probiotic on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in long-distance runners. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/12/3758
