I've seen probiotics work magic for men, especially with digestive and immune health. There's hardly any probiotic you see that doesn't affect digestive, metabolic, and immune health. For digestive health, our focus is on lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii, and we get a lot of results using Nexabiotic and Floranorm. As a routine for Urology cases, I advise taking probiotics with the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain as it supports urogenital health by reducing bacterial load in urine, particularly for men prone to UTIs. It's not a substitute for antibiotics but it helps in men with recurrent UTIs. I have a theory that "once you treat the gut, you treat the guy". Lactobacillus casei is the big guy here for 'immune health' but it's not readily available, so I don't hammer much on this as I believe immune health gets better with digestive health. Athletes do a lot of probiotics, especially the Lactobacillus types and it kind of helps with metabolism which is important for every athlete. Strains like L. plantarum and also the Bifidobacterium breve, enhance recovery and metabolism. Younger guys have better metabolism compared to the elderly where you have to be careful about what you give them. I advise against taking alcohol with probiotics, and also most of my patients get better outcomes with the use of a high-fibre diet. Coated products are better delivered to the intestines, unlike powders or liquids, which may lose some efficacy in stomach acid. On long-term use, this difference can be minimal as I've had people on non-coated tablets do just fine with these supplements. When used with antibiotics, I always advise having some spacing (2hrs) to avoid interference with these drugs. Vitamins can boost the performance of these supplements and most companies are now adding multivitamins to aid digestion. Probiotics are generally safe, however, people can still experience mild GIT-related symptoms like bloating or gas. I usually start patients on what they can tolerate, and then step up if need be, this way I've been able to avoid most of these problems. Getting the right probiotic is easy due to multi-strain combinations, but enlightenment is important, and I advise patients to not discard any long-term drugs. I had a guy on ARTs stop his meds because he stopped experiencing borborygmi after I started him on probiotics. It took a lot to counsel him on the need for both of them, but we were able to and he's been doing great since then.
Neuroscientist | Scientific Consultant in Physics & Theoretical Biology | Author & Co-founder at VMeDx
Answered 7 months ago
Good Day, Men's probiotic strains benefit from the specific nature of one's goals. For gut and immune health, Lactobacillus plantarum, L. rhamnosus GG, and Bifidobacterium lactis are reliable. L. reuteri, especially strain 6475, might be beneficial for testosterone levels and inflammation. B. longum and L. helveticus may help with mood, stress, and mental clarity. Athletic recovery and oxidative stress may be alleviated with B. breve and L. casei Shirota. Age matters: men after 40 usually require broader-spectrum blends. Dietary intake, sleep, stress, and alcohol all reduce probiotic efficacy. High-fiber diets filled with plants help these babies thrive. Enteric-coated capsules and spore-forming strains will survive stomach acid better than regular capsules or powders (e.g., Bacillus coagulans). If you're taking antibiotics, separate probiotics by at least a few hours and continue taking them for at least a week afterward. Multivitamins containing zinc or iron may interfere with probiotics, so it is best to space them apart as well. Side effects do happen, but rarely-bloating early on being the most common-or if there are issues already with SIBO or reduced immunity. Ultimately, the matching of the right strains and delivery form to age, lifestyle, and health goals is key. If you decide to use this quote, I'd love to stay connected! Feel free to reach me at gregorygasic@vmedx.com and outreach@vmedx.com.
In regard to men health, most effective probiotic strains should extend beyond digestion. Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 has been proven to increase the level of testosterone and the quality of sperm, and Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 promotes the absorption of proteins and decreases the soreness of muscles which can be beneficial to athletes. Bifidobacterium longum 1714 is associated with reduced cortisol and improved focus, which is important to mental clarity. The digestive and immune health are still the domains of such staples as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis, but men will also enjoy the targeted strains such as L. reuteri RC-14 that helps with prostate and urinary health. These work differently according to age and lifestyle. Younger men (below 40) might react positively to strains that improve performance, and the older ones (above 60) require increased amounts of Bifidobacterium and prebiotics to improve their gut diversity. The strains are protected against stomach acid by enteric-coated capsules or well-formulated powders, which is important as the number of CFU. It is also important to take probiotics at least two hours away from antibiotics, or high-dose zinc, so their effect isn't lost. The side effects are minimal however histamine intolerant or SIBO men should consider avoiding strains such as L. casei, which may worsen the symptoms.
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that improve health, particularly in men. Key strains include Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which enhances gut health and immunity; Bifidobacterium bifidum, supporting digestion and urogenital health; and Lactobacillus plantarum, which aids in inflammation, gut health, and mental clarity, potentially boosting athletic performance.