When it comes to supplements and vitamins, men’s health has been largely excluded from the discussion for a while now. While the ladies can enjoy a plethora of products to choose from that support their unique health concerns, the same just can’t be said of those manufactured especially for men. From digestive health issues such as bloating, gas and constipation to prostate and colon health, there is a lot to be said for a dude probiotic, so men all around the world can gain access to the amazing health benefits of these microscopic miracle workers.
Let’s have a look at the many benefits, besides the obvious in digestive health, probiotics has to offer men ensuring complete body health:
HEART HEALTH
Cardiovascular health is a major concern for men in western societies. While some of the main challenges to maintaining a healthy heart aren’t nearly as widespread as they once were, unwanted changes in heart function are still one of the most common reasons for men to need emergency medical care. But taking probiotics can help you keep your heart firing on all cylinders, even as you age.
While it might seem a little out of left field to correlate probiotics with heart health, they’re actually closely connected. Research shows that taking probiotic supplements regularly can help you maintain good cholesterol, as well as help keep your blood pressure at healthy levels.
BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
Uncontrolled changes in blood sugar levels or a decreased ability to regulate insulin can have serious effects on your overall health, and since far more men than women are at risk for these changes, these issues are well worth paying attention to. Research indicates that regularly taking probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can help your body maintain blood sugar levels already within a normal range, whether you’re simply at risk for insulin-related challenges or you’re already experiencing them.
In fact, studies indicate that taking a probiotic containing L. acidophilus and B. lactis for six weeks can help to maintain blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
BONE HEALTH
Like many other parts of the body, the health of your bones is closely tied to the health of your gut, especially your intestines. Temporary intestinal inflammation can trigger an immune response in which your body releases interleukins, proteins that have an immune function but also absorb bone tissue. If the temporary inflammation remains unaddressed, these molecules can take a toll on your bones, eventually weakening them.
However, studies indicate that taking probiotics can help support your bones’ rebuilding process. Strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium both help keep your gut microbiome in balance to support balanced immune responses and help your body to absorb and use the minerals needed to maintain strong bones.
HORMONE HEALTH
We don’t normally think of the gut when it comes to the endocrine system, but it actually plays a huge role in supporting balanced hormones. One of the most important functions it plays in men is helping to regulate the production of oxytocin.
Oxytocin maintains the production of testosterone in men and has a number of functions for supporting health, including maintaining a healthy libido and supporting the development of male characteristics. Of course, your gut microbiome can only do this when it’s healthy and in balance, which is where probiotics come in. Since so many factors can deplete your beneficial bacteria—including everything from exposure to antibiotics in food or medication to spending too much time inside—supplementing with a premium probiotic is almost always necessary to maintain balance.
LUNG HEALTH
Though rates of serious lung issues have been dropping among men in the western world, they’re still a major concern, with over three million men affected by ongoing respiratory conditions. While steroids and antibiotics are the go-to treatments for these conditions, they often fail to address the underlying issue, and they destroy bacteria indiscriminately, creating conditions in which undesirable bacteria can thrive.
This makes it harder for your immune system to work properly and leaves you open to feeling under the weather unnecessarily. The good news is that taking probiotics can help replenish your gut microbiome, and since 80% of your immune system is in your gut, this inevitably has a very supportive effect on your immunity. Probiotics also specifically support your mucosal immune systems, found in your ear, nose, and throat area and your lungs, helping you to maintain respiratory health.
MENTAL HEALTH
It’s not entirely clear how many men struggle with low moods or anxious thoughts, as mental health changes in men are widely under reported, but we do know that these issues are widespread, with over 6 million men reporting mood struggles each year. While a number of factors play into mental health, one that people often forget about is the gut.
Research indicates that the gut and brain are in constant communication, and the health of your gut can have a big, supportive impact on your mental health and well-being. One reason is the role the gut microbiome plays in maintaining your hormones––in addition to oxytocin, your beneficial bacteria also support your levels of serotonin (the “happy hormone), and cortisol (which is associated with high stress levels). When you support your microbiome with probiotics, it can help to keep everything balanced, but if it becomes unbalanced and unwanted bacteria take over, you can end up with a low mood and anxious thoughts.
URINARY HEALTH
Taking probiotics can also help keep your urinary system working properly. While you might think that yeast imbalances or urinary tract issues are primarily women’s problems, both are common in men as well, especially in those whose bacterial balance is off-kilter. Taking probiotics can help address these issues by encouraging the growth of good bacteria to crowd out unwanted yeast.
Maintaining a balanced gut microbiome can also help stop urinary tract issues before they start, as many such problems arise when E. coli migrates from your gut to your urinary tract. Taking probiotics regularly can help keep populations of unwanted bacteria under control so there’s less of a chance of them causing problems elsewhere.
Taking better care of your health really can be as simple as supplementing with a premium probiotic like Rawbiotics probiotics, containing 14 strains and multiple classes of live beneficial bacteria, to support energy levels, stamina, and digestive, immune, heart, eye, and prostate health in men. If nothing else, think of it like preventive maintenance: you regularly top your car up with oil, why wouldn’t you take the same care with your body? Start giving it the support it needs now, and you could see returns for years to come.
Click here for more information on Rawbiotics probiotics for men.