What are the best probiotic supplements for men, and should you take them?
Jump To The Best Probiotics comprise live bacteria and yeasts that are considered beneficial to human health. Probiotics are beneficial to our gastrointestinal tracts and work with our digestive enzymes to effectively break down food. They also boost the immune system as well as potentially reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract infections, reduce bloating and have a number of other health benefits. While probiotics are found naturally in certain foods (such as fermented yogurts, sauerkraut, and kimchi), a wide range of probiotic supplements are available on the market that purports to promote a range of health benefits. In this article, we’ll investigate the best probiotic ingredients and some of the best regarded probiotic supplements available today.
We rate the best probiotics based on:
bacteria quality, immune support, digestive health, value, USP and customer satisfaction
Probiotic supplements tend to start working pretty fast, probiotics are living things afterall and they need to start work to survive. However, that doesn't mean that you're going to see immediate results the day that you start taking them. Even the best probiotics won't be able to work miracles. Generally speaking it takes a few weeks for most of the good bacteria to reach your digestive tract in big enough numbers to have notable health benefits. It's important to remember that probiotic supplements work best when they're taken with a prebiotic fiber blend, or at least plenty of fiber for them to feed on.
Men's health is different to women's, and on average men have a different diet, this means that they need a different probiotic formula to support gut health than women do. Whilst most beneficial gut bacterial strains are going to be good either way compared to not taking anything.
The best probiotics for men however are tailored towards containing beneficial bacteria that are good for the prostate, and more aimed at breaking down higher protein diets which on average men consume. The best probiotics for men will of course be good for your bowels, which is more important for men's health as rates of serious bowel conditions are substantially higher in men. There is also some evidence to suggest that there is some impact on healthy testosterone production, although these studies are relatively limited. And to top it off there's a decent amount of research to suggest that probiotic supplements can also be beneficial to stress levels, although again this isn't as well backed as some of the other benefits.
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Yourbiology +
- Best Mens Probiotics Overall
Biotics 8
- Best Probiotics For Men On High Protein Diets
Nuzena - Best Value Probiotic
Mary Ruth's
- Best Probiotic For Your Kids
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Prostate+
- Best Probiotics for men's prostate health
What are the best probiotic supplements?
Ultimately this depends what you mean by work, will they improve digestive health and offer immune support. Yes. The science is definitely in on that one. However, with regards to certain other claims, results are still inconclusive, several probiotic supplements make some wild claims around weight loss, stress relief and we've even seen some claiming to be nootropics, there are better dedicated supplements for that.
The general consensus of the medical community is yes. Anti biotics kill a lot of your healthy bacteria and taking a probiotic following a course will help restore that quickly and effectively returning your microbiome to a healthy state.
In 99% of cases yes, probiotics are safe. In many cases you can also take them if you are on antibiotics and they may actually prevent some stomach issues, although there is still some ongoing debate as to timings and whether or not they should be taken at all. The general consensus is moving towards taking them being recommended [1]
However, some cancer patients and people recieving intense treatments can have adverse reactions, so in these cases it is best to check with a doctor. Althought all the products on our best probiotics for men are 3rd party tested so are as safe as they can be.
Helping with gas is one of the main benefits of the best probiotics, healthy bacterial strains break down food and prevent excess gas from building up in the bowel and stomach which leads to excess gas and bloating. That's not to say if your diet is full of foods that cause gas that good digestive health can be achieved just by taking an probiotic, but probiotics do help with gas.
A probiotic supplement doesn't detox your body as such, it helps maintain gut health, which does mean that you will improve gut health removing toxins, but we wouldn't describe it as what is typically known as a "detox".
Generally speaking a probiotic supplement is designed to be taken daily. Some people who suffer with IBS are best taking a break from probiotic supplements after 30 days, but for most people daily is best unless the manufacturer states otherwise.
A probiotic supplement heralded by many as the best probiotic on the market, YourBiology is designed by an experienced team of scientists and includes a range of crucial probiotic ingredients, including Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Paracasei, and Fructooligosaccharide.
Packed with friendly probiotic strains the supplement is said to enhance skin health, strengthen immunity, improve digestion, increase energy, and reduce stress. What’s more, YourBiology claims the formula provides an increased survival rate of 250 times compared to the competition.
This benefit is noteworthy, as rival brands can only claim that “most” probiotics will reach the gut. In contrast, this unique formula contains only high-quality strains of bacteria to deliver superior results. With fewer bacteria being killed and digested in the gut, YourBiology probiotics are widely regarded as the market's most influential and best probiotic supplement.
LA-14 has multiple studies showing that it plays a role in improving immune performance. [2] It also as you'd expect improves digestion.
BL-04 is another immuno boosting probiotic, shown to be effective in double blind placebo controlled trials [3] it's another great ingredient that we like to see here. Bifidobacterium lactis, is a great choice and well backed.
LP-115 is interesting, in a lot of cases a large portion of this bacteria stuggles to make it to the digestive tract whereas probiology plus took extra effort to include extra to make sure the right amount makes it through to be effective. Shown to be particularly effective at treating bowel issues, and boosting immune response. [4]
LPC-37 has huge implications beyond simply helping improve digestion, it's been shown to improve physiological markers of stress and anxiety in healthy adults in double blind trials. [5] Whilst this is still not fully understood the science looks interesting, and as a minimum it will improve gut health.
While YourBiology's probiotic claims that the probiotics will start working straight away, the brand has outlined a useful timetable to highlight the supplements' effects over a few months.
Two weeks of regular intake: Good digestion, less bloating, better moods, and clearer skin should be noticeable
One month of regular intake: Less brain fog, improved metabolism, regular bathroom breaks, and better immune health
Two months of regular intake: Excelled health improvement and fewer ailments and health issues
Three months of regular intake: Robust digestion, fresher and lighter outlooks, and massively improved skin health
Customer reviews are very positive, often citing the supplements’ ability to provide noticeable results in as little as two weeks. Moreover, those who have tried multiple brands often report that YourBiology is their favored supplement. And their stellar ratings are one of the reason they're listed as our best probiotics. And whilst we rate it as one of the best probiotics for men, it is also suitable for both genders.
As directed by YourBiology, the supplements are best taken as capsules every morning with a glass of water. It is recommended to take the dosage over a few months to enjoy the full benefits of the supplements. It’s worth noting that YourBiology does not offer a monthly subscription model, unlike some supplement companies.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Bacteria quality | 9/10 |
| Immune support | 10/10 |
| Digestive health | 10/10 |
| Customer satisfaction | 10/10 |
| Value | 9/10 |
| Recommended | 9/10 |
Biotics 8 is an interesting product straight off the bat, it’s
not often that you see a probiotic pill that’s targeted at men, much less one
that actually bothers to create a blend that makes sense. Men’s and women’s microbiome
and gut flora are different so it does make sense to do so, not that a neutral
probiotic would do any harm. As well as a wide range of probiotics it contains
several proteins like amylase which help break down carbs to prevent bloating
and “food coma” from large meals and lipase that does the same for fats. It
also adds a nice dose of vitamin D which almost half of men in the US are
deficient in, which whilst not something that has to be in a probiotic, doesn’t
hurt and would improve digestion in the half of the population that doesn’t get
enough of it.
Biotics 8 focuses more on bacteria which help breakdown proteins, particularly meat and dairy (which if your consuming a lot of whey or lean meats) can be quite important to avoid stomach cramps.
Overall, it’s a good probiotic with a few added extras
meaning it goes the extra mile for men, if you’re only going to take one
supplement this one isn’t a bad choice, which is why it's hands down the best probiotic for men.
The main probiotic bacteria in Biotics 8 come from either
the Lactobacillus or Bifidum families. Typically speaking the bifidum bacteria are
most beneficial for regulating digestive health, dealing with stomach cramps,
bloating etc living in the gastrointestinal tract by aiding digestion.
Lactobacillus on the other hand maintain healthy intestinal lining as well as
helping break down lactose, so could be beneficial in that regard as well. Some
of the specific strains have been studied for a multitude of tangential benefits
such as weight loss and a multitude of digestive disorders. [6] The focus on Lactobacillus strains does help deal with issues more common in men, such as high collestorol levels and more naturally mimics mens natural biomes.
Biotics 8 have also considered the dietary needs of the average man with more focus on breaking down meat and lactose. With build up of dairy products having been shown to be worse for mens health than womens. [7] This can be particularly good for men who take a lot of protein supplements based around whey.
Generally speaking probiotics take a couple of weeks to work, which lines up with biotics 8's claims that you should notice improvements to irritable bowel symptoms within 2 weeks, but it would take around one month to work properly.
We should note that a couple of the members of the Center TRT team swear by it as their top probiotic.
The customer reviews of Biotics 8 are incredibly positive, whilst it's a relatively new product on the market, there weren't many negative reviews and the ones we could find seem to largely be down to a couple of shipping issues, that seem to have since been dealt with by the probiotics customer service team. But overall there's 1000s of men saying it's a great product and it's currently a few of our team members go to, so we personally recommend it as well.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Bacteria quality | 10/10 |
| Immune support | 9/10 |
| Digestive health | 9/10 |
| Customer satisfaction | 10/10 |
| Value | 9/10 |
| Recommended | 9/10 |
A relative newcomer to the probiotic market, Probiotic 40 Gut Boost + has made waves among health aficionados. Quickly becoming one of the most sought and recommended probiotic supplements, the supplement works to restore gut microbiome order, thereby boosting the immune system and working to resolve diarrhea and constipation.
Carefully blended to provide the best results, the supplement contains several favorites, including Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Marine Polysaccharide Complex, and Fructooligosaccharide. While regular probiotic supplements try to blend as many strains as possible, it’s clear that Nuzena has taken a careful approach with this product and has only included essential, proven, and highly effective ingredients. What’s more, the supplement is gluten-free, hormone-free, sugar-free, and does not contain GMOs.
Like many probiotics, Probiotic 40 Gut Boost + purports to support the digestive system, but uniquely, Nuzena also states that the supplement may help your body increase nutrient absorption. This is because the probiotics are specially blended to support your microbiome, which helps break down and absorb nutrients from your diet. For those worried about contaminants and allergies in their men's probiotics Nuzena have some of the strictest testing on the supplements market.
Nuzena is celebrated for going the extra length to ensure safety as Probiotic 40 Gut Boost + has been heavily tested for traces of contaminants such as gluten, sugar, salmonella, lead, mercury, and a range of yeasts and molds.
Ultimately the only thing that really seperates this and probioslim is that probioslim has been around a little bit longer and has slightly better customer reviews. Nuzena is a little bit cheaper, but the reality is that they're very similar if not identical products.
Either are good choices and it's quite possible that in a few months when more customer reviews roll in Nuzena will be moved to the top of our best probiotics list.
Nuzena recommends taking two capsules of Probiotic Gut Boost 40 + per day. The first should be taken during the middle of the day, while the second should be enjoyed in the evening. Each bottle contains 60 capsules, which is equivalent to a one-month supply.
As mentioned, Nuzena is relatively new to the probiotic supplements market, but it has not taken long for the fanfare to emerge. Reviews across the internet are highly positive, with many mentioning the supplement’s ability to get to work and relieve cramps and bloating.
Probiotic 40 Gut Boost + is available for as little as $45, complete with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For those looking to save a little and plan to use the product long-term, free shipping is available on all orders over $50. The value and the guarantee are the selling points that squeeze Nuzena onto our best probiotics for men list.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Bacteria quality | 9/10 |
| Immune support | 10/10 |
| Digestive health | 10/10 |
| Customer satisfaction | 9/10 |
| Value | 11/10 |
| Recommended | 9/10 |
Garden of Life is a pretty standard 40billion, with an added group of beneficial bacteria added in to target the prostate. This is what makes it one of t the best probiotics for men, the fact that they added in these relatively unusual probiotics.
Garden of life does contain some prebiotics and vitamins designed to aid mens health specifically, including an extra dose of vitamin D, but this isn't really that impressive and there's a lot of other supplements that could do this better.
The real note is the B. animalis subsp which has been shown to support prostate health in multiple clinical studies [9]. It is also useful for preventing urinary tract issues, although this is less important in probiotic supplements for men.
It's also pretty heavy on the lacto probiotics making Garden of life particularly good for immune health and this combined makes it the best probiotic for men over 50.
Garden of Life is pretty straight forward take 2 capsules once a day, and the claim is that it should start working within a week. This should be true for gut health as at this point it is quite proven that probiotic supplements can make it past the stomach acid and to the gut, as to how well they make it to the prostate this is generally takes more time than replenishing gut bacteria.
Garden of life's reviews alone would be enough to mark them as one of the best probiotics for men. With 1000s of 4 and 5* ratings on Amazon they're definitely a popular probiotic supplement. Our personal tests with them were quite good although it's hard to attest to whether or not the probiotic supplements actually work for prostate health.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Bacteria quality | 9/10 |
| Immune support | 8/10 |
| Digestive health | 9/10 |
| Customer satisfaction | 9/10 |
| Value | 9/10 |
| Recommended | 9/10 |
While most probiotic supplements are aimed at adults, Mary Ruth’s Kids Probiotic Gummies are designed to support children's digestive health. And we can't talk about the best probiotics for men, without making sure you can look after your family. Not only are the supplements free of GMOs, but they are organic, gluten-free, do not contain gelatin, and are suitable for vegans. While gut health in children tends to be reasonably robust, one study found that children who enjoy probiotics every day for three months were less likely to have respiratory issues and diarrhea than those who received placebos. Although the main selling point here is that they're gummies and thus easy to get kids to take them.
While many probiotic supplements are designed with a blend of strains, Mary Ruth’s Kids Probiotic Gummies contains only Bacillus Subtilis, which is thought to improve digestive health and improve immune response significantly.
Moreover, the bacterium may have a role in preventative healthcare thanks to its ability to lower lipid levels. Regarding gastrointestinal health benefits, the bacterium could also:
Reduce excessive belching
Reduce bloating
Improve gut balance
Relieve generalized acid reflux symptoms
According to Mary Ruth’s, the gummies may promote microflora diversity, which should lead to regular gut comfort.
They're not the most robust by any means as they're limited to what bacteria can survive without being protected in a capsule, DE111 (Bacillus subtilis) is also one of the few probiotics to have been specifically studied in children [8] being shown to be safe and effecive for boosting immune health and digestive health. As such it's a good choice for a kids probiotic.
Like all probiotic supplements, Mary Ruth’s Kids Probiotic Gummies work straight away, although the best results are often found to work across many months. Those between two and 13 should take one gummy per day. Although probiotics designed for children are incredibly safe, some exceptions exist, such as if the child has a compromised immune system or is suffering from cancer.
Mary Ruth’s Kids Probiotic Gummies are some of the most highly rated supplements on the market. At the time of writing, the supplements have close to a five-star rating across 755 reviews on Amazon alone.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Bacteria quality | 7/10 |
| Immune support | 5/10 |
| Digestive health | 5/10 |
| Customer satisfaction | 9/10 |
| Value | 7/10 |
| Recommended | 8/10 |
Probiotic 40 Billion offers a unique blend of probiotics and digestive enzymes designed to boost the body’s immune system and improve gut health. When paired with a healthy diet and regular exercise, Probiotic 40 Billion offers a meticulously crafted blend of bacterium to boost the immune system and digestive health while replenishing your stock of good bacteria.
Curated by experienced scientists and produced in the US, Probiotic offers a select blend of bacterium, including Fructooligosaccharide, Marine Polysaccharide Complex, and Lacticaseibacillus Paracasei.
Fructooligosaccharide is a significant ingredient in its own right as it has been used in both Korea and Japan as a popular food sweetener for over 30 years. Becoming increasingly popular in Europe and the US, Fructooligosaccharide is celebrated for its potential to aid immunity, bone health, and the growth of other bacteria within the digestive tract.
While Fructooligosaccharide forms one essential ingredient in the blend, Marine Polysaccharide Complex forms another. Although not strictly a probiotic, the compound is the principal component of seaweed cell walls. It has several pharmaceutical properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and antitumor properties.
Lastly, Lacticaseibacillus Paracasei is a “gram-positive” species of bacteria found in lactic acid. Commonly used in dairy product fermentation, it is thought that Lacticaseibacillus Paracasei could help treat hay fever, eczema, and the common cold.
Each Probiotic container offers 30 servings of 60 capsules, which are best taken twice per day. Health Nutrition recommends taking one probiotic during the day and one during the evening for the best results. For those looking to get the best possible deal, Probiotic 40 Billion can be bought as part of a subscription package, saving customers 43% with a 30 regular 30-day supply.
Customers of Nutrition Health’s Probiotic 40 Billion have offered highly supportive reviews, and at the time of writing, the supplement has 43 five-star reviews. Common praise areas include the supplement’s ability to ease bloating and discomfort.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Bacteria quality | 9/10 |
| Immune support | 10/10 |
| Digestive health | 10/10 |
| Customer satisfaction | 9/10 |
| Value | 9/10 |
| Recommended | 9/10 |
While probiotic supplements often contain a blend of popular and essential probiotic strains, here are some of the most common ingredients you’ll find on a label.
Lactobacillus
Among the most common probiotic found in foods, lactobacilli are diverse and can help treat a range of ailments, including diarrhea, vaginal infections, and eczema. Often used as a starter culture in food production, lactobacilli are often found in wine, beer, cheese, fermented yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods, this is generally good for both genders but is one of the best probiotics for men.
Bifidobacterium
Normally found within the intestines and stomach, bifidobacteria is a group of probiotics that help the body digest food and combat harmful bacteria. Although found within the body, bifidobacteria can be consumed safely through yogurt (with added cultures), cured meats, buttermilk, and fermented foods. It is thought that the bacterium can help treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, lung infections, and ulcerative colitis.
Saccharomyces boulardii
A common yeast, Saccharomyces Boulardii is a strain of saccharomyces cerevisiae that is usually used to help treat certain types of diarrhea, including rotaviral diarrhea in children, diarrhea caused by rotavirus, and travelers’ diarrhea.
Now that we’ve covered three of the most common probiotic ingredients, let’s look at some of the best probiotic supplements available in 2022.
1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3601687/
2- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8416592/
3 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8649651/
4 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3911214/
5 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352289520300679
6 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7692339/
7 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266690/
8 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3495728/
9
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8289881/