A Guy’s Guide to Probiotics

At Healthy U, we’re proud to partner with Wakunaga, the trusted makers of Kyolic and Kyo-Dophilus (available online and in our store). In this blog, they share practical tips and insights on probiotics tailored just for men.  Probiotics have a well-earned reputation for their ability to support digestive health. But that's not all they do. These beneficial bugs provide a wellspring of benefits from head to toe—and new research shows just how important they are for men's health. Whether it's in the bedroom or the boardroom, probiotics can provide relief for some of the most common issues men face. Prostate Health Your prostate may be small (about the size of a walnut), but it sure knows how to cause big trouble! Prostatitis is one of the most prevalent prostate problems for men and marked by inflammation that causes painful or difficult urination, and pain in the groin, pelvic area, or genitals. The cause? Oftentimes it’s a bacterial infection. Fortunately, emerging evidence suggests that probiotics can significantly reduce the painful symptoms associated with bacterial prostatitis. In preliminary research, investigators found that probiotics can  reduce the prostate cell inflammation caused by a bacterial infection. What’s more, a study of chronic bacterial prostatitis in humans showed that supplementing with probiotics could prevent symptomatic recurrence, improve quality of life, and reduce antibiotic use. Probiotics may do even more to support prostate health. A recent report shows that taking a probiotic—in addition to making lifestyle changes—may delay or even prevent prostate cancer development. It does this by improving the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome and reversing dysbiosis, which can promote the growth of cancer cells. Sexual Fitness It’s a fact of life: aging affects male sex drive and function. But age isn’t the only thing that can put a damper on your love life. Research shows that there’s a strong link between the gut microbiome and men’s sexual health. And while you may not be able to defy Father Time, you can do something about your microbiome. And that, in turn, can improve your reproductive health. For example, one clinical trial appearing in Human Fertility showed that taking a daily probiotic significantly increased sperm concentration and motility as well as ejaculate volume. The study’s participants also experienced less oxidative stress and inflammation. Of course, nothing kills the mood the way digestive issues do. Gas and bloating don’t really fall into the sexy category. Thankfully, if you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, probiotics can help you regulate your gastrointestinal woes and alleviate these common digestive issues, as well as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach rumbling. Physical Performance Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an avid adventurer, probiotics can give your physical conditioning a boost. A 2023 systematic review of 13 studies suggests that regularly consuming probiotics can influence performance-related factors such as fatigue, muscle pain, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness. That means you can recover faster, build more stamina, and improve your physique. And best of all, probiotics’ benefits were witnessed across a wide range of activities, from rugby to badminton to endurance training. Probiotics can help you stay in game shape too. An earlier review of nine studies involving endurance athletes showed that probiotics protect against post training and competition illness by strengthening the immune system, shielding the upper respiratory tract from infection, and decreasing oxidative stress. Mental Well-Being Statistically, women experience depression at twice the rate that men do. But reports suggest that men are less likely to seek treatment—and they often underreport symptoms when they do speak up. This reluctance may stem from societal pressures that discourage men from openly sharing their emotions. Interestingly, emerging research shows that probiotics may play a role in supporting mental health. A 2016 meta-analysis showed that probiotics significantly improve mood and decrease the symptoms of depression. A more recent review of 16 trials backs up those findings by also showing a wealth of evidence that probiotics can improve clinical depression and anxiety symptoms. Probiotics are like the ultimate wingman for men’s health. So whether you’re crushing it in the gym, the boardroom, or beyond, make probiotics part of your health arsenal and take on life at full throttle. Disclaimer - This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.   ¹ Murzilli S. Evaluation of the immunomodulatory effects of a probiotics and natural extract-based formulation in bacterial-induced prostatitis. Life (Basel). 2023;13(2):389 ² Cai T. The use of Lactobacillus casei DG® prevents symptomatic episodes and reduces the antibiotic use in patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis: results from a phase IV study. World Journal of Urology. 2021;39:3433–40. ³ Fujita K. Gut microbiome and prostate cancer. International Journal of Urology. 2022;29(8):793–8. ⁴ Osman MM. The gut microbiome and men’s sexual health. Current Sexual Health Report. 2019;11:348–57. ⁵ Helli B. Probiotic effects on sperm parameters, oxidative stress index, inflammatory factors and sex hormones in infertile men. Human Fertility (Camb). 2022;25(3):499–507. ⁶ Kumar LS. 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