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Best Probiotic For Men 2024: Top 5 Choices For Your Healthy Gut
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Ritual Synbiotic+
- Includes prebiotics, probiotics, and a postbiotic
- Vegan
- Third-party tested
Elm & Rye Daily Probiotic
- Third-party tested
- Includes Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Made with clean ingredients
HUM Gut Instinct
- Clean Label Project certified
- Ten different strains of probiotic bacteria
- Vegan
In recent years, we have seen a growing interest in men’s health, with more men looking for ways to improve their health and well-being. One way to do this is by supporting a healthy, balanced gut microbiome. In particular, men experiencing digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain may notice improvements in their symptoms after eating probiotic-rich foods or taking a daily probiotic. With all of the probiotics available today, it can be hard to decide on the best probiotic for men.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about probiotics for men, including how to select a quality probiotic and if you may benefit from adding a probiotic to your supplement regimen. It will also review today’s top five probiotic dietary supplements currently available for men.
5 Best Probiotic For Men On The Market In (March. 2024)
- Ritual Synbiotic+ – Editor’s Choice
- Elm & Rye Daily Probiotic – Best Quality
- HUM Gut Instinct – Best Vegan
- Renew Life Men’s Care Probiotic – Best High-Potency
- GNC Probiotic Solutions Men’s 30 Billion CFUs – Best For Prostate Health
5 Best Probiotics For Men To Treat Gut Health In 2024
Ritual Synbiotic+
Ritual Synbiotic+ is formulated with a blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and a postbiotic to support a healthy, balanced gut microbiome. It is the best probiotic for men’s gut health.
- Made with prebiotics, probiotics, and a postbiotic
- Third-party tested
- It comes in a delayed-release capsule that needs no refrigeration
- Vegan
- A monthly subscription is required
Ritual is a subscription-based supplement company that offers a comprehensive product selection formulated with clean, traceable ingredients.
Synbiotic+ contains three primary ingredients — prebiotics, probiotics, and a postbiotic — to support healthy immune and digestive systems. Each capsule delivers 11 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), guaranteed until the expiration date.
Synbiotic+ includes beneficial bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, which are the most studied probiotic strains.[1]
It is also one of the best probiotics for men’s weight loss because it contains Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which may aid in body weight reduction.[2]
Furthermore, Synbiotic+ features PreforPro®, a blend of prebiotics that stimulates the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Clinical evidence[3] suggests that PreforPro® may improve the effectiveness of probiotics and improve unpleasant GI symptoms.
Lastly, Ritual’s Synbiotic+ includes the postbiotic butyrate as Tributyrin. Postbiotics are waste products created after your body digests prebiotics and probiotics. Postbiotics contain nutrients such as vitamins B and K and chemicals called antimicrobial peptides, which function to slow down the growth of bacteria.
Research[4] suggests that postbiotics may help support your immune and maintain a healthy gut flora.
Though some products sold by Ritual are certified by well-respected third-party organizations like the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and Informed Sport, it does not appear Synbiotic+ is. However, Ritual states all products, including Synbiotic+, are tested by a third party for contaminants.
A 30-day supply costs $54, and a monthly subscription is required.
Elm & Rye Daily Probiotic
Elm & Rye Daily Probiotic Capsules include the probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus, which can help restore the beneficial gut bacteria in your gut microbiome.
- Third-party tested
- Comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA)to verify results of third-party lab testing
- Includes the well-studied probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Not vegan-friendly
Elm & Rye Daily Probiotic is a good choice for men who want to give their digestive system an extra boost. This product delivers 2 billion CFU of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus.
While Elm & Rye Daily Probiotic only contains one probiotic, newer research[5] suggests that probiotics with several strains may not be more effective than single-strain probiotics.
Studies[6] suggest Lactobacillus acidophilus may be helpful for antibiotic-associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Helicobacter pylori infections (a type of bacteria that infects your stomach).
Beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus convert carbohydrates into lactic acid, thereby inhibiting the growth[7] of undesirable bacteria in the gut.
Though it has a lower CFU count than other probiotic supplements we’ve discussed, higher CFU counts do not always correlate[8] with additional health benefits.
Elm & Rye Daily Probiotic is tested by a third party and comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to verify its purity and potency. However, the CFU count was confirmed when the product was manufactured, not at the expiration time.
A 30-day supply costs $44.99. If you are unhappy with your order, you can return your product for a full refund within 30 days.
HUM Gut Instinct
HUM Gut Instinct is a probiotic supplement that contains Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains, which can help improve digestive and immune health.
- Vegan
- Clean Label Project certified
- Includes ten different strains of probiotic bacteria
- Potency is measured at the time of manufacture, not expiration
- Must refrigerate after opening
HUM Nutrition is a popular supplement company that formulates its products based on clinical evidence. HUM Gut Instinct is a vegan probiotic blend that delivers 25 billion CFU from ten strains of probiotic bacteria from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus families. Studies suggest these groups can help ease digestive discomfort[9] in those with constipation.
In particular, it contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, which have been shown to improve symptoms of bloating[10] in individuals with functional bowel disorders, such as IBS, functional bloating, and functional diarrhea.
HUM Gut Instinct is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gluten, artificial colors, and artificial sweeteners. All products sold by HUM are Clean Label Project Certified.
Clean Label Project is a third-party organization that tests products for contaminants such as lead, mercury, glyphosate, antibiotic residues, and more.
The company also offers free access to a team of registered dietitians to help you choose the best products for your health.
A 30-day supply costs $26. Returns on all products are accepted within 30 days.
Renew Life Men’s Care Probiotic
Renew Life Men’s Care Probiotic is made with twelve bacterial strains. It supports men’s digestive, immune, and colon health.
- Shelf-stable
- Supports digestive health, colon health, and immune health
- Potency guaranteed until expiration
- Does not include results of third-party testing
Renew Life Men’s Care Probiotic delivers 90 billion CFU in each capsule with guaranteed potency until the end of its shelf life.
Renew Life uses delayed-release capsules to help protect cultures from stomach acid, so they arrive in the intestines alive, providing the most benefit.
Each gluten-free, vegetarian capsule contains twelve strains of probiotic bacteria from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus families, many of which have been shown to benefit colon health[11] and immune health. It also includes Bifidobacterium lactias, which can help improve stool frequency and consistency, gut transit time, and gas formation.
While they report all of their products to undergo third-party testing to ensure purity and potency, lab reports are not publicly available.
Renew Life Men’s Care Probiotic also comes with a generous return policy. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you do not need to return your product to ensure a refund. Simply contact customer service within 60 days, and your refund will be processed.
A 30-day supply costs $37.49. You can save 15% and receive free shipping with auto-delivery.
GNC Probiotic Solutions Men’s 30 Billion CFUs
GNC Probiotic Solutions Men’s 30 Billion CFUs is the best probiotic for men over 50 because it is composed of probiotic bacteria, as well as saw palmetto and lycopene, which supports prostate health.
- Supports digestive and immune health
- Shelf-stable
- Includes saw palmetto and lycopene, which may support prostate health
- Lacks third-party testing
GNC is known for its massive catalog of high-quality dietary supplements and loyal customer base. GNC Probiotic Solutions Men’s 30 Billion CFUs is formulated to provide prostate, urinary, digestive, and immune support.
Each vegetarian capsule contains 30 billion CFUs of probiotic bacteria from well-researched probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. It also contains lycopene and saw palmetto.
Some clinical evidence[12] suggests that high amounts of dietary lycopene may protect against prostate cancer in men, but the results of clinical trials are mixed, and more study is needed.
Some studies have indicated that saw palmetto is useful[13] for treating benign prostate hyperplasia. Saw palmetto has other health benefits, such as reducing inflammation,[14] increasing sex drive, and treating urinary system infections.
While GNC brands are rigorously tested to ensure quality, it does not appear a third party has tested this product.
A 30-day supply costs $39.99. GNC frequently runs promotions, up to half off.
What Are Probiotics For Men?
Probiotics are a mixture of live microorganisms, including yeast, bacteria, and other microbes, that are intended to have health benefits when consumed. They can be obtained from dietary supplements or fermented foods.
Probiotics are typically identified by their specific strain,[15] which includes the genus, the species, and sometimes the subspecies. The most common[16] probiotics come from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera.
How Do Probiotics Work?
Poor diet, antibiotic use, illness, and stress can upset the gut microbiome and its normal balance of bacteria, causing harmful bacteria to dominate.
When this happens, a person may be at a greater risk for certain health conditions, including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, obesity, allergies, and cardiovascular diseases.
Probiotics, also known as “good” bacteria, work to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your body. They can crowd out “bad” bacteria to keep your gut healthy.
Some probiotic strains are more beneficial than others for improving certain symptoms and health conditions. This makes it vital to choose the right probiotic.
Who Should Take Probiotics?
Supporting the health of your gut microbiome is a good idea for just about anyone. While it’s better to replenish your good bacteria with foods that naturally contain probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, and miso, a high-quality probiotic supplement can also be beneficial.
Though additional research is needed, conditions that may be improved by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in your body include:
- Diarrhea (from both antibiotics and infection)
- Constipation
- Gum disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Eczema
- Colds
- IBS
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Yeast infections
- Urinary tract infections
Side effects of probiotics are generally minor and consist of GI symptoms, such as gas or bloating.
Those with a severe illness, those recovering from surgery, or who have a weakened immune system should avoid using probiotics unless otherwise recommended by their healthcare provider. In these populations, probiotics have been linked to an increased risk of infection.[17]
Even though probiotics are generally considered safe, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to help you decide whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate.
How To Choose The Best Probiotic For Men?
When looking for the best probiotics to improve the health of your gut microbiome, there are a few things you’ll want to pay close attention to.
Here are a few things to take into consideration.
Bacterial Strains
Certain probiotic strains are more effective than others for treating certain health conditions and symptoms. As such, the specific strain in the probiotic and the research supporting its benefits are important to consider when choosing the best probiotic for you.
Probiotic strains from the genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera have the most research[18] to support their health-promoting properties.
CFUs
It’s essential to pay close attention to CFUs in your probiotic supplements, which indicate the number of bacterial cells in each dose. Though more CFUs do not always correlate with more benefits, we suggest choosing products with at least 1 billion CFUs. According to studies,[19] the minimum recommended daily dose is between 100 million and 1 billion CFUs daily.
Additionally, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics[1] recommends avoiding probiotic supplements that list the number of CFUs at the time of manufacture. This is because it does not account for declines in CFUs as the product ages.
Intended Use
The effectiveness of probiotic supplements is not only strain-specific but also condition-specific. This means the appropriate bacterial strain and dose must be used to treat the symptom or condition you want to ease.
Your healthcare provider can help you determine the best bacterial strain and dose for your health concerns.
Ingredients
Some probiotics include other ingredients that may enhance their effectiveness. For example, Ritual Synbiotic+ includes prebiotics, probiotics, and a postbiotic. Research[20] suggests that synbiotics containing prebiotics and probiotics may be more beneficial because they work together in the digestive tract by inhibiting harmful bacteria’s growth and enhancing beneficial bacteria’s growth, thus maintaining an optimal microflora balance.
Additionally, some probiotic supplements for men contain other ingredients, such as saw palmetto and lycopene, which may support prostate health.
Storage Requirements And Expiration
Some probiotic supplements require refrigeration, while others do not. Though both can be effective, it is important to read the label to ensure you are storing your supplement correctly.
You’ll also want to pay attention to the expiration date, as CFUs typically decline as the product ages.
Third-Party Testing
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate probiotic supplements. This means a company can technically put whatever it wants in a supplement and market it as a probiotic. Choose a trustworthy brand that utilizes third-party testing to ensure you get a high-quality, potent, and pure product.
Final Thought
Probiotic supplements may help men with certain conditions, such as constipation, diarrhea, IBS, and other digestive symptoms. They may also help support colon and immune health.
The effectiveness of a probiotic largely depends on the strain, amount of CFUs, supplement quality, and condition being treated.
While probiotics are generally considered safe, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to decide if you should incorporate a probiotic supplement into your diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Though the shelf life of probiotics varies from brand to brand, most probiotic supplements have an average shelf-life of two years.
Generally speaking, taking a probiotic daily is safe and often recommended.
Probiotics are generally considered safe and well-tolerated for men and women. However, individuals with serious medical conditions or a weakened immune system should avoid using probiotics unless otherwise recommended by their healthcare provider.
If you are experiencing digestive symptoms, such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, or have been diagnosed with IBS, you may benefit from eating more probiotic-rich foods or taking a probiotic supplement.
While some probiotic supplements are shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration, others may need to be kept cold. Most supplements will provide storage instructions on the label.
+ 20 sources
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- M. Hasan Mohajeri, Robert Jan Brummer, Rastall, R.A., Weersma, R.K., Harmsen, M., Faas, M.M. and Manfred Eggersdorfer (2018). The role of the microbiome for human health: from basic science to clinical applications. European Journal of Nutrition, [online] 57(S1), pp.1–14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1703-4.
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