The best probiotics for men can be as simple as eating certain foods and beverages rich in these beneficial microorganisms, and they can also be taken as supplements.
We have trillions of types of microbial bacteria that live in our bodies at any given time.
It is important to maintain a healthy inner ecosystem of beneficial microorganisms to fight off toxicity in its many forms.
Our immune system is 70 to 80 percent located in our gastrointestinal tract, often referred to generally as “the gut”.
So our body’s ability to fight off infections, diseases and harmful bacteria is directly related to the quality of our digestion.
Microorganisms and enzymes line the walls of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract who’s responsibility is to break down everything we eat and drink into energy molecules.
Each food type triggers the body to use certain enzymes will break them down the contents and extract nutrients.
When we eat food with artificial ingredients the body cannot completely break them down. Since there is no use for the ingredient nutritionally, they get stored along the lining of the intestinal walls.
Our small and large intestines are ground zero for the build-up of toxic materials that leads to a weakening of the immune system and thus a much susceptibility for many diseases.
Probiotics for men
High stress workloads, toxic physical working conditions, and general wear and tear makes these supplements for men an important consideration in holistically taking care of their health.
The supplements that are targeted at males with have a description of the specific organisms in the product. The key strains for men are:
L. Acidophilus
This is an important strain from the lactobacillus species that live within the walls of the small intestine.
They are critical in the breaking down of food and absorption of nutrients, specifically dairy, and also produce B vitamins during digestion.
B. longum and B bifidum
These strains can be found in the small intestine but a majority are in the large intestine. B longum is important for nourishing a healthy gut wall that can efficiently remove toxins.
B. bifdum helps with metabolizing dairy and is also responsible for breaking down complex carbs, fats and protein into smaller molecules for the body to use.
Streptococcus Thermophiles and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
These beneficial strains are important for our gastrointestinal tract but are not found in the small and large intestines like the strains above.
They are key in breaking down lactose from dairy and are very common in yogurts.
Streptococcus Thermophiles is often used in mozzarella cheeses to preserve the freshness and bring more nutritional value.
Both are important in creating lactic acid, which lowers the overall pH of our intestinal tract to create an acidic environment that more easily breaks down food.
By maintaining a thriving gut flora of healthy bacteria, the immune system can efficiently prevent disease and the result is longevity.
Men tend to lead less healthy lifestyles in general compared to women, including a higher proclivity for risky behavior that adds stress, hormonal imbalances, and extra wear and tear on the bones.
Probiotic benefits for men
There are specific probiotic benefits for men that preserve healthy bacteria to promote longevity, even in very demanding environments
The Russian Nobel Prize winning scientist Ilya Metchnikoff first proposed in the early 1900s that the longevity of rural Bulgarians was a result of the yogurt they eat, which was rich in these important gastrointestinal microorganisms.
Mtachnikoff’s emphasis on healthy gut bacteria was an important contribution to understanding how our internal ecosystems are directly related to eating certain fermented foods and dairy rich in beneficial micro-bacteria.
Beneficial bacteria have specific positive effects for men, such as:
Bone Density
For men who perform physical labor, the wear and tear of their skeletal structure is a significant concern.
Under certain experimental conditions lactobacillus strains in yogurts have been shown to significantly boost bone density, as has a dairy rich diet.
Yeast Infections
During intercourse men can get a yeast infection, and many resolve them by taking antibiotics.
The only problem is that antibiotics will kill the yeast infection but all the other beneficial bacteria along with it, risking re-infection.
If antibiotics are taken, it is important to re-build the microbial environment with beneficial strains with supplements or quality dairy products.
Digestion
Three fourths of people with digestive problems are men, and the conditions they suffer from can be vast, ranging from acid reflux, mineral deficiencies, diarrhea, and chronic stomach pains.
Toxic lifestyle choices and diet are one root cause for a poor micro bacterial flora in our intestinal tract, which leads to a build up of physical and mental disease.
Cognition
The gut and the brain are in constant communication, and each one’s condition is directly affected by the other.
A healthy digestive tract is able to metabolize messenger signals sent via the bloodstream to the brain more efficiently.
The foods that our bodies metabolize into fuel has a direct connection to our mental environment. If we consistently eat toxic foods we are not only harming our digestive system, but our minds are not being fed properly either.
Even though neurotransmitters are associated with the brain, about 95% of serotonin secretion actually occurs in the gut.
Serotonin gives the sense of content and happiness, and it should be no wonder that eating good food can immediately make you feel good.
A healthy gut flora goes a long way in sustaining a healthy immune system and mental well-being for men.
Good probiotics for men
When searching for good supplements for men there are two important criteria to consider:
Knowing the specific strains and their purposes in the digestive tract.
The expiration date of the product
Since these supplements contain living organisms they have a much shorter shelf life than other types of pill or powdered supplements.
From the date of production the quantity of living microorganisms diminishes every day.
By the time of purchasing they could be reduced by half even within a reasonable amount of time from the expiry date.
It is important to buy the freshest possible supplements to have the greatest health effects, and as a rule of thumb the closer to the date of expiration the less active bacteria still present.
Long-term health conditions can be avoided with a focus on maintaining a healthy gut flora by taking supplements or directly obtained from probiotic foods and beverages.
The best probiotics for men contain a diverse array of good bacteria strains that work to clean out toxins and create a flourishing new base of micro-bacteria.
Fighting off harmful toxins and chemicals is a daily process. Our digestive system is working non-stop to deliver nutrients and energy to the rest of the body.
It is our responsibility to give it the best foods possible that ensure not only physical but also mental health.
