Best Probiotics for Men’s Health
According to recent research and advances in medical practice, it is undeniable that Probiotics are taking part in an important role in our general well-being. Their effects are beneficial for the different bodily systems for different aspects of age populations; from infants to elderly people.
On top of that, their role in enhancing Men’s Health has been so increasingly popular that you can see several over the counter probiotics promising that they can help to fix men’s health related issues.
I am Dr Tun Min working as a GP in NHS UK. In this article, I will explain how probiotics are relating to men’s health, together with recommendations for high quality and safe probiotics for Men.
What does the term Men’s Health encompass?
Men’s health refers to the state of physical, mental, and social well-being of men, and encompasses a wide range of issues that are unique to men or that affect men differently than women.
What are the concerning Men-Specific Health issues?
Several studies have proved that some medical conditions are specifically more common in men because of unique anatomical and physiological compositions which threaten the both physical, mental and social well-being of men. Some of them are elaborated as follows;
🤵🏻♂️Sexual health – Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, and Low libido are the most addressed concerns
🤵🏻♂️Prostate health- Prostate cancer, Prostatitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common conditions that can affect men’s prostate health
🤵🏻♂️Reproductive health- fertility, such as sperm count and motility, as well as conditions that can impact the testicles or other reproductive organs
🤵🏻♂️Mental health- Mental health issues such as Depression, Anxiety, and Substance abuse are more prevalent in Men
🤵🏻♂️Cardiovascular health- Ischaemic Heart disease is a leading cause of death among men
🤵🏻♂️Cancers – certain types of cancer, such as prostate and testicular cancer. And colorectal cancers are more common in men
How do probiotics work to enhance men’s health?
Boosting-up Immune System
Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining the gut microbiota which has a positive effect on our immune system. A balanced gut microbiome prevents the entry of harmful microorganisms through our gut to the bloodstream and other organs. As a result, it can prevent occurrence and overgrowth of bacteria (i.e. E.coli) that causes severe gastroenteritis and urinary tract infections like cystitis and prostatitis.
Prevent Prostate Related Health Problems
It is noteworthy that prostate cancer effect 1 in 8 men of average age which increase to 1 in 6 men above 65 years.
According to a clinical trial in La Clinica Terapeutica ,there is some evidence that probiotics can help to reduce inflammation in the prostate. It stated that probiotics reduce the bacterial load of E. coli and E. faecalis in urine cultures which can help prevent prostatitis curtailing further prostate related health issues that are caused by chronic inflammation of prostate (eg.prostatitis).
Promote Mental Well-Being
Probiotics can also enhance cognitive function and can help to lower stress and anxiety preventing the development of mental health issues, such as depression in men. Because probiotics have a positive role in mood, cognition, and other psychological processes, probiotics are also known as “psychobiotics”
Balancing the stress-related hormones
A journal in Lippincott WIlliams and Wilkins stated that “probiotics can increase or decrease the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters and biologically active factors such as serotonin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, cortisol, thereby alleviating the subjective stress level of the participants, as well as related mental symptoms such as anxiety and depression.”
Gut Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis is a bi-directional communication system between the gut and the brain. It is a complex network of nerves, hormones, and neurotransmitters that connects the digestive system to the central nervous system where probiotics play an important role in maintaining it.
Enhancing Cardiovascular Health
Major insulting factor for heart well-being is cholesterol causing heart-related deaths in men. Probiotics plays an important role in lowering blood cholesterol by the following mechanisms:
- Probiotics create acids that counter cholesterol production
- Probiotics break down liver bile acids enhancing cholesterol usage from body
- Probiotics actually eat cholesterol for nourishment
Elevate Testosterone Level
Cortisol is a stress related hormone that lower the testosterone level that define the masculinity of a man. By lowering cortisol level, probiotic indirectly helps to increase testosterone level assisting in sexual and reproductive health.
What are the Best Probiotics for Men’s Health ?
During my 10 years of clinical practice, I have prescribed several probiotics to men with concerns for Men’s Health- related presentation in addition to definite management plans. Surprisingly, I have got several positive feedbacks from my patients whose overall well-being on a day to day basis are markedly improved by taking those probiotics. Some of the Probiotics that I believe to be “Highly beneficial For Men’s Health” are as follows.
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