Probiotics are amiable microorganisms when consume in adequate amounts which can bring several benefits to human brings. As part of our daily dietary intake, they are mostly found in fermented food like pickles, kimchi, yoghurt, etc.
What are the major threatening health issues for men?
Although we prefer gender equality in every aspect of our daily life, it is an undeniable fact that some diseases affect, particularly Men. This is because of structural differences in the body composition and hence the way it functions.
Some of the concerning health issues that are usually presented to our daily general practice are
🚹Prostate-related problems Prostate cancer, Prostatitis, and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
🚹Reproductive health- fertility issues such as sperm count and motility
🚹Sexual health – Premature ejaculation, Erectile dysfunction, and Low libido
🚹Cardiovascular issues- Ischaemic Heart disease, peripheral arterial diseases
🚹Mental health- Depression, Anxiety, and Substance abuse
🚹Cancers – prostate cancer and testicular cancer and colorectal cancers
What do probiotics do for men?
Recent studies have found that Probiotics are beneficial for promoting overall men’s health. Let’s have a look at how they function in different aspects of the body.
Maintenance of Gut Health
Whenever we talk about probiotics, their convincing role in gut health is not to be missed. In They are useful for preventing acid reflux which is a common condition in men. Probiotics facilitate to enhance of our overall gut functions mainly by
✅Restoring and Balancing Gut Microbiota,
✅Strengthening Intestinal Barrier Function and hence Supporting Immune Functions
✅Producing Beneficial Substances such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which provide
Prevent Prostate Related Health Problems
It is noteworthy that prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men of average age which increase to 1 in 6 men above 65 years.
According to a clinical trial, there is some evidence that probiotics can help to reduce inflammation in the prostate. It stated that probiotics reduce the urinary bacterial load of E. coli and E. faecalis which can help prevent prostatitis curtailing further prostate-related health issues that are caused by chronic inflammation of the prostate.
Promoting Immune Functions
Via gut function
Probiotics have a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota, which positively impacts our immune system. A well-balanced gut microbiome prevents harmful microorganisms from entering the bloodstream and other organs through the gut. Consequently, it can prevent the occurrence and overgrowth of bacteria that causes severe gastroenteritis and urinary tract infections like cystitis and prostatitis.
Stimulating immune cells
On top of that, a study suggested that probiotics regulate host innate and adaptive immune responses by modulating the functions of immune cells (dendritic cells, macrophages, and T and B lymphocytes).
Promoting Cardiovascular Health
High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart health issues and contribute to heart-related deaths in men. Probiotics play an important role in lowering blood cholesterol through the following mechanisms:
✅Probiotics produce acids that counteract cholesterol production.
✅Probiotics break down liver bile acids, enhancing the body’s utilization of cholesterol.
✅Probiotics consume cholesterol as a source of nourishment.
Elevating Testosterone Levels
Cortisol, a stress-related hormone, can lower testosterone levels where the latter defines a man’s masculinity. By reducing cortisol levels, probiotics indirectly assist in increasing testosterone levels, thus promoting sexual and reproductive health.
Balancing Stress-Related Hormones
According to a meta-analysis, probiotics can regulate the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters and biologically active factors such as serotonin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cortisol, thereby alleviating the subjective stress level of the participants, as well as related mental symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Psychobiotics
Because probiotics have a positive role in mood, cognition, and other psychological processes, probiotics are also known as “psychobiotics” and maybe a potential therapy or auxiliary means for stress-related mental disorders.
Are they really reliable enough to use as a treatment?
Well, Yes, as well as No. Although there are several ongoing research on probiotic efficacy and their potential role in the treatment of the men-health related issues, they are not recommended to substitute a standard treatment for a certain condition.
For example, although probiotics can prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections, they cannot replace the prescribed standard antibiotic therapy for UTIs. In the same way, if you have heart disease, it is not sufficient to take probiotics alone but you can use probiotics as an add-on therapy based on your specific medical condition.
There are several probiotics that have enough evidence to have benefits. They can be used reliably to prevent a certain medical condition or to assist in the treatment of a disease. For example, Bifidobacterium strains are useful as a treatment for acid reflux (heart burns) when given together with antacids or proton pump inhibitors.
Summary
Probiotics have diverse functions that are specifically beneficial for men. Being understood the way they function, it is advisable to use them as an adjunct to the management of a particular medical condition concerning men’s health, as a part of your daily diet or in the form of supplements.
