Benefits Of Probiotics
We’re always on the lookout to find ways of improving health for our fellow man, but there’s only so many articles and advice we can write about the benefits of exercise, of exploring new superfoods, and supplements. Healthy living goes further than this, and it’s not always about packing your diet with proteins and nutrients. Sometimes you’ve got to embrace the benefits of bacteria. It sounds counterproductive, but there are some bacteria ideal for ensuring a healthy life, and probiotics are just that. We always try to encourage our readers to try new things, so here are the 10 benefits of probiotics for men.
What Are Probiotics?
As we vaguely hinted towards just a few sentences ago, probiotics are bacteria classified as living microorganisms that offer a variety of health benefits including preventing and treating illnesses.
Where To Find Them?
The good news is you need not embark on a long and dangerous quest to get a few more probiotics in your life, unless your local market is located somewhere between Sunnydale, Hawkins, and the Bermuda Triangle. We’ll take a wild guess and assume that isn’t the case (and not only because Sunnydale was swallowed into the ground back in 2003). Buffy fans will understand.
You can find probiotics in several foods, including:
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Kombucha
- Pickles
- Buttermilk
- Mozzarella, Gouda, Cheddar, and Cottage Cheese
So What Can They Do For You?
1. Improved Heart Health
While modern men don’t struggle with as many heart-related issues as they did in the past (likely because we don’t smoke or drink as much), it’s still important to maintain a healthy heart. Probiotics are an excellent way of keeping your heart in tip-top shape as they help with cholesterol levels and ensure your blood pressure remains at a healthy level. This is particularly important if you have a stressful career.
2. Better Lung Health
Usually, doctors prescribe steroids or antibiotics to overcome any lung issues, but these are not perfect solutions as instead of removing harmful bacteria, they instead hinder your immune system, making it easier for bacteria to not merely survive, but thrive. Probiotics can help with your mucosal immune system, which you’ll find in your ears, your nose, and throat, which are all connected to your respiratory system.
3. Controlled Blood Sugar Levels
Poor blood sugar levels are more common in men than women so taking advantage of the benefits probiotics can provide you is essential. Finding options which contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium keeps blood sugar levels healthy and normal, allowing you to better regulate insulin, which is crucial whether you currently suffer from insulin-based conditions or not.
4. Balanced Hormone Levels
While most of us may not be aware, the gut actually plays a large part in the endocrine system and can help balance hormones, especially regulate the oxytocin hormone, which is one of the most important hormones for men. Perhaps more commonly known as the love hormone, it helps increase testosterone production and ensures a healthy libido, as well as helping to develop characteristics considered classically male.
5. Improved Urinary System
Yeah, we know, urinary tract problems are more associated with women, but these problems can still affect men, especially if you don’t have the right bacterial balance. If you’ve ever had a UTI, you’ll know it’s one of the most uncomfortable and debilitating issues around, especially considering how simple it is. Probiotics can give you the necessary balance and improve your urinary system by hindering the chance of E.coli making a mission from your gut to your tract.
6. Balanced Yeast Levels
Along the same lines, your yeast levels will also become better balanced with more probiotics in your diet. They will encourage good bacteria to grow which will eject yeast that you can do without like a biological bouncer in the nightclub of your stomach.
7. Stronger Bones
It may not be a problem for you right now if you’re a strong young man with his whole life ahead of him, but as you get older, you’ll encounter bone density changes which will put you closer to Mr. Glass than Superman. Nobody wants that, so you’re better off getting a head start on such issues by taking probiotics to overcome intestinal inflammation and the immune responses that come with it to keep your bones fit and strong without relying on chugging gallons upon gallons of milk every day.
8. Better Mental Health
Mental health is a massive issue and we’re recognizing it more and more each day, but it can still be a challenge for men to open up, which is why men’s probiotics are so important. With so many men struggling with mental health issues ranging from anxiety to depression and everything in between, supplementing your diet with probiotics is a great way to improve your mood as they can help provide good bacteria that supports serotonin, and cortisol. Probiotics won’t make you 100% better (we’ll get to that later on) but they can help you feel a little better than you do right now.
9. Enhanced Digestion
Good digestion is a hallmark of great gut health and the better you can digest the foods you consume, the better your stomach will feel. Probiotics prevent issues like constipation to help you feel fighting fit whenever and wherever.
10. Improved Immune System
Your immune system keeps you safe from the millions of bacteria you encounter every day and probiotics are an excellent way to improve this immune system. It can help fight off infections, allergic reactions, and even keep us safe from autoimmune diseases later in life.
Maximizing Probiotic Potential
It’s not enough to merely stuff your face with probiotic rich food and drink, though. To make the most of your probiotic adventure, make sure you take the correct steps to stimulate its effectiveness. You can do this by:
- Exercising
- Getting outside
- Get as much fiber as needed
- Avoid too many antibiotics and over-sanitizing
Becoming A Pro(biotic)
We know it can be a challenge to keep track of all the special food and drink you must take to ensure a healthy lifestyle, and it doesn’t help that probiotics are yet another essential to add to the list. If you want to enjoy a strong immune system and feel great all year long, though, it’s crucial. We wouldn’t recommend probiotics is they weren’t useful.
Sources:
- 7 Men Specific Health Benefits of Probiotics – Hyperbiotics
- What Are Probiotics? – Medicine Net
- 11 Probiotic Foods That Are Super Healthy – Healthline
