What Are The Benefits of Probiotics For Men?
We hear so much about probiotics and healthy eating, but do you have any idea what probiotics are, and why you should be taking them?
The health and wellness industry is always introducing new products onto the market, but probiotics have certainly stuck around for a good few years now. There is a good reason for that - probiotics have been proven to have a range of benefits for overall health and wellness, especially for the gut. Of course, further studies will need to continue, in order to ascertain whether there are any possible side effects, and the extent of the benefits too.
For now however, we simply know that probiotics are beneficial, but what are they?
Probiotics are actually bacteria and yeasts. Whilst that might sound troubling, it’s actually a good thing! Probiotics are healthy bacteria. Your body needs both good and bad bacteria to create a natural, harmonious balance. The good bacteria helps to stop the bad bacteria from running riot and causing disturbances, and also ensures smooth running of your overall digestive system.
As a man, why should you consider taking these healthy bacteria as part of your daily routine? Let’s check out some of the benefits of probiotics for men.
Probiotics Help to Treat And Prevent Diarrhoea, Caused by Antibiotics
If you are prescribed antibiotics by your doctor, you are at risk of developing diarrhoea, caused by that medication. Probiotics can help to prevent this from occurring in the first place, if you’ve been taking supplements for a while already, and can treat it if you’ve suddenly developed it. We all know how annoying and inconvenient diarrhoea can be!
Probiotics Help to Lower Cholesterol Levels
Do you have an unhealthy diet? Or, do you have a family history of heart issues and high cholesterol? According to Staci Gulbin RD, probiotics could help to lower your cholesterol levels, and therefore lower your risk of developing serious heart-related conditions in the future. Of course, you’ll need to take probiotics in conjunction with a healthy diet too.
Probiotics May Help to Reduce Anxiety And Depression
There is some suggestion that taking a regular probiotic supplement could lower your risk of developing anxiety and depression, and could also help to reduce the effects if you do suffer with it already. There are two main strains which are associated with this benefit, namely B. Longum, and Helveticus.
Probiotics Help With a Variety of Digestive System Conditions
The stressful and busy lives we lead these days can cause stomach upsets and conditions, such as diverticular disease and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). If you suffer from a gut issue, taking a regular probiotic could help to relieve your symptoms and cut down on the chances of a flare up from occurring. Soothing IBS symptoms is one of the most well-known benefits of probiotics overall.
Probiotics Boost Your Immune System
Giving your good bacteria amount a boost means a better immune systems. Studies have shown that those two take a regular probiotic supplement, or those who get a good amount of natural probiotics in their diet, fall foul of the common cold much less frequently as a result. This is useful for anyone who seems to be prone to catching every virus doing the rounds during the winter months, for sure!
Probiotics May Help You Lose Belly Fat
There are certain probiotic strains which are thought to help with weight loss, particularly around the belly area. L. Gasseri is one of those strains, as well as B. Lactis too. Obviously this needs to be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise, but the probiotic supplement could help you to target where you want to lose the weight from, more effectively than otherwise.
Probiotics Help to Cut Down on Ulcer Development
There is one particular type of bad bacteria which has been considered conductive to ulcer development, i.e. Helicobacter Pylori. By taking a regular probiotic, you are giving your body more of the good bacteria to fight this strain, and several studies have shown that by doing this, you reduce the chances of a H. Pylori infection, and therefore cut down your chances of developing an ulcer, when you lead a healthy lifestyle overall.
Probiotics Help With Gut Health Overall
Overall, probiotics are beneficial for your gut, and this ensures that you have less stomach upsets and more regular days when you don’t have bloating, excess gas, or any other gastric disturbances which cause upset and distress. Again, we live busy and stressful lives and all of this can contribute to a lifestyle of grabbing the quickest meal possible at the end of the day, perhaps not chewing your food enough and causing indigestion. When you follow a healthy diet and lifestyle and incorporate probiotics into it, you will find that your gut health is optimum as a result.
By choosing to incorporate probiotics into your life, you need to decide whether to go down the natural route, i.e. within your diet, or by taking a supplement. You won’t struggle to find a wide range of different supplements on the market, with tablets, capsules, and yoghurt drinks available. If you choose to up your probiotics content in your diet, you need to focus your attention towards live yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kale, fermented foods, kombucha, miso, dark chocolate, traditional buttermilk, and other foods which are known to be high in natural probiotic content.
Many people find it difficult to get their full amount of probiotics from diet alone, which is why supplements are so popular these days. Remember to show around for the best supplement for you, and to always seek the advice of your doctor before you start taking any new kind of supplement, which you haven’t taken before. There isn’t a lot of evidence to suggest major side effects of probiotics, but at the same time, not a huge amount of studies have been done into this either. A quick chat with your doctor will give you the information you need, to be able to decide whether probiotics are the best choice for you or not.
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