Buying guide for Best men's probiotics
Probiotics are bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for you, especially your digestive system. The bacteria in your body outnumber your cells ten to one, and mostly reside in your gut. Much of this bacteria is harmless, but unwanted germs can develop from time to time, and what many don’t realize is that gut health directly correlates with overall health.
To fend off infection or disease, ingesting probiotics through food or a supplement helps promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Getting adequate levels of healthy bacteria through foods can be difficult, so that’s why probiotic supplements are often the best method to incorporate them easily into your diet.
For men, taking probiotic supplements can help maintain good cholesterol, as well as keep blood pressure low. They’re also proven to have an effect in supporting optimal testosterone levels. Check out our favorite probiotics for men, and read on to learn more about what they can do for you.
Men’s probiotics considerations
When shopping for men’s probiotics, you’ll want to consider a few things. Colony Forming Units (CFU) levels, what form your supplement comes in, and the amount and daily dosage are all important to understand. You’ll also want to take note of any other ingredients that specifically target men’s health. Having more knowledge in these areas before adding a probiotic to your cart will make buying the right product much easier.
CFU levels
CFU is used to describe the potential amount of live bacteria in a probiotics dosage. CFU levels are vital in determining how potent your ideal probiotic should be, but a higher number doesn’t necessarily mean better. Personal goals and overall well-being will determine what CFU level is right for you.
If you’re simply looking to improve overall health and give your digestive system a boost, a good range for a daily probiotic is between five to ten billion CFUs. However, higher levels like 15 to 45 billion can be effective when dealing with specific ailments like irritable bowel syndrome or eczema. This is because many of these ailments are a result of toxic bacteria building up in the gut, and the higher amounts of CFUs can support your immune system to combat them.
Expert tip
Unless otherwise directed by a medical provider, a general rule of thumb is to ensure that your probiotic for adults has 10 billion CFUs.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
Supplement form
-
Capsules: Capsules are one of the most common and convenient ways to take probiotic supplements. Because capsules are shelf-stable, they can be stored in cabinets or in the refrigerator, but since many probiotics are not heat-and moisture-sensitive, they often don’t need refrigeration.
-
Chewables: Chewables work great for kids or those who don’t like swallowing pills. They can provide all of the benefits of a capsule, but are more pleasant to take. The main difference with probiotic chewables is that they generally don’t contain high amounts of CFU per dosage.
-
Powder: Probiotics in powder form combine convenience and taste to make taking probiotics regularly much easier, especially for individuals with busy schedules or who like to have a daily smoothie or juice. Many times this form will come in mini packets that you can easily take with you on the go, in your pocket or purse. You can mix the powder (which can be flavored or unflavored) with water, your favorite drink, or pour it directly into your mouth (but we recommend drinking water right after).
-
Food/other: Probiotics can be found in liquid or drink form as well as in many foods. Liquid probiotics will likely be in the refrigerated section of a vitamin shop, health supply store, and most grocery stores. They are easy to take, but they aren’t as convenient as other forms.
Fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut naturally contain probiotics and are great to include in your diet. Just note that they won’t deliver nearly as many CFUs as some supplements will.
Dosage and supply
Because potency levels will vary from product to product, so will the recommended dosage amounts. Generally, a single supply will last a month, but some products will supply enough for two or even three.
Expert tip
Probiotics can be helpful for those who have short-term gastrointestinal distress, particularly diarrhea, which is often a reaction to the body trying to dispel something, often bacteria. When this “flush out” happens, we are getting rid of bad bacteria but we inherently remove good bacteria as well. A probiotic can help reintroduce good bacteria into the body's microbiome.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
Men’s probiotics features
Additional ingredients
When shopping for the best probiotics for men, you’ll want to pay attention to what products feature male-specific health support. Probiotic supplements may contain extra ingredients that will provide additional support for sexual health, prostate health, cardiovascular health, testosterone, and other areas that are beneficial to men.
-
Saw palmetto and lycopene can be found in some probiotics for men and both support prostate health.
-
Probiotics that are geared toward supporting an active lifestyle may contain L-glutamine because it helps with muscle growth and metabolism.
- Vitamin B can also be found in some probiotic supplements and is a natural energy booster.
Men’s probiotic prices
The cost of probiotics can vary, but you shouldn't have to spend more than $50 on a month’s supply. Supply amount, CFUs, brand name, and additional supplements are what will separate products and their pricing.
Inexpensive: $15 to $20
This is typically where you’ll find your basic one month supply of probiotics. These will include the basic ingredients and CFU levels you need to get started. If you want take the first step in improving gut health, begin with these and then your way up to a more potent formula if you need to. Just be mindful of storage, as these may not have the longest shelf life.
Mid-priced: $20 to $35
Mid-range items will likely contain additional ingredients to help with male-specific concerns like prostate health, sexual health, and cardiovascular health. You’ll also find many products that support overall health along with basic probiotic properties.
Expensive: $35 to $50
The higher-priced probiotics will likely contain two or three months’ worth of probiotic supplements, along with other included ingredients to help with specific needs. Look for products with vitamin B for extra energy, saw palmetto for prostate support, or ashwagandha root for stress relief. These products are usually packed with the most CFUs and active cultures and tend to be designed to last longer in storage.
Expert tip
Most probiotics are considered dietary supplements and are therefore not regulated by the FDA. I suggest looking for third-party reviewers such as NSF, Consumer Lab, or USP.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
Tips
Probiotics offer amazing support to overall health, but there are things you can do to maximize their effectiveness. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your probiotic supplements for men.
-
Stay active and get plenty of sun. Exercise can increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in your system, and spending time outside exposes you to all kinds of new bacteria to your microbial diversity. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and/or a hat to protect your skin from UV rays.
-
Avoid taking things that are meant to deplete your microbiome like antibiotics (unless your medical provider has told you it’s necessary) and diet cleanses. This may work against your efforts to increase the amount of good bacteria in your body.
-
Consume enough fiber. For good bacteria to stay alive and active, it needs to eat. Fiber works well to keep your microbes fed.
FAQ
Q. What is the difference between probiotics for men and probiotics for women?
A. Probiotics designed for men will frequently contain additional supplements or ingredients that support areas where men typically need help as they age, like the heart or prostate. Probiotics for women tend to focus on immune and reproductive support. Products vary, so be sure to review their labeling.
Q. How long does it take before noticing results?
A. The digestive properties of probiotics should take effect within the first few days of regular use, but generally, you’ll need to give any supplements a few weeks to see noticeable results.
Q. If I order probiotic supplements online, will they ship with a cold pack to ensure quality?
A. Many probiotic supplements are either shipped in insulated packing, in dry ice, or with a cold pack to ensure the active cultures (bacteria) survive. This is not always the case, so you may want to buy directly from a store if you have any serious concerns about transport.
