The best probiotic for men
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Best Probiotic for Men: A Comprehensive Review
Probiotic Benefits for Men's Health
Probiotics have gained significant attention for their potential health benefits, particularly in men. These benefits range from improving gut health and reducing inflammation to enhancing reproductive health and immune function. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to identify the best probiotic strains for men.
Gut Health and Inflammation Reduction
Multi-Species Probiotics for Athletes
A study on trained men demonstrated that multi-species probiotics, such as Ecologic®Performance or OMNi-BiOTiC®POWER, significantly reduced gut permeability markers like Zonulin and decreased inflammation markers such as TNF-α after 14 weeks of supplementation. This suggests that multi-species probiotics can be particularly beneficial for athletes by enhancing gut health and reducing exercise-induced inflammation.
Probiotic Yogurt and Acidified Milk
Another study compared the effects of probiotic yogurt and acidified milk on postprandial inflammation in healthy young men. Both products significantly reduced inflammatory responses to a high-fat meal, as indicated by lower levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and chemokine ligand 5. This indicates that probiotic yogurt and acidified milk can effectively reduce low-grade inflammation and improve gut microbiota composition.
Immune Function Enhancement
Lactobacillus casei Shirota
Despite some studies showing mixed results, Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) did not significantly modulate natural killer (NK) cell activity in healthy men with reduced NK cell function. This suggests that while LcS may have other health benefits, it may not be the best choice for enhancing immune function in this specific population.
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04
In a large trial involving physically active adults, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 significantly reduced the risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) compared to a placebo. This strain appears to be a promising option for boosting immune function and reducing illness risk in active men.
Reproductive Health and Oxidative Stress
Probiotics for Infertile Men
A study on infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia found that daily supplementation with probiotics significantly improved sperm parameters, increased total antioxidant capacity, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. This suggests that probiotics can play a crucial role in enhancing male fertility and reducing oxidative damage to sperm.
Probiotics and Stress-Induced Reproductive Dysfunction
Research on mice subjected to chronic restraint stress showed that Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC-610 and Lactobacillus fermentum NCDC-400, either alone or with prebiotics, effectively mitigated stress-induced reproductive deficits. These probiotics improved sperm count, motility, and morphology, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings highlight the potential of these strains in protecting against stress-related reproductive issues.
Conclusion
Based on the reviewed studies, the best probiotics for men appear to be multi-species formulations like Ecologic®Performance or OMNi-BiOTiC®POWER for gut health and inflammation, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 for immune function, and specific strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC-610 and Lactobacillus fermentum NCDC-400 for reproductive health. These probiotics offer a range of benefits, from reducing inflammation and enhancing gut health to improving immune function and reproductive parameters.
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