What if I told you that one of the best ways to tackle fatigue and digestive issues was with bacteria? Generally, we tend to think of bacteria as something harmful, lurking in the shadows with the sole aim of spreading disease. This is actually quite far from the truth. Some bacteria are, in fact, very helpful. Probiotics are a prime example of “good” bacteria and are tasked with the job of keeping your gut healthy. They are found naturally in your body but can also be acquired through eating certain foods or ingesting supplements. There are many advantages to using these supplements. For example, if you were to undergo treatment with antibiotics, the prescription of probiotics will help replenish your body with these helpful bacteria, keeping your digestive system working as it should. There are also many other perks such as increased energy, immune system support and even weight loss. We know that it is important to eat right and exercise, but are you taking care of your gut as well? A healthy gut is vital to a functioning body, ensuring that our body has a good digestive system. An unhealthy gut can lead to diarrhoea, mood swings and even bad skin! Did you know that 60%-80% of the immune system is located in the gut? One way of keeping a healthy digestive system, and by extension a healthy immune system, is through the use of probiotics. With various different types out there, I’ll be going over the best way to take probiotics so you can get the most out of this addition to your daily routine. Probiotics Explained You may have heard the term “probiotics” before, but do you really know what they are and what they do? Probiotics are actually good bacteria that live in your digestive system. They’re naturally found in your body and can be found in some foods like yogurts and pickles. However, sometimes we need a boost, like when taking antibiotics, because they take away the good bacteria as well as the bad. Why Do Men Need Probiotics? Just like with women and children, there are many top probiotics to choose from for men. So what will probiotics help us guys with? Well for starters, if you’re struggling to lose weight with your diet already in check, it could definitely be that your digestive system is out of balance. Taking a probiotic daily can boost your metabolism and increase the rate at which your body can absorb nutrients. Probiotics can also help with your skin. We all eat a variety of food, sometimes a little too much of the stuff that tastes a little too good. Unfortunately for us, that comfort food can increase the amount of inflammation in the body. That inflammation is directly related to acne throughout the body. By taking a probiotic daily, we can reduce that inflammation. Keep in mind, however, that probiotics will work even better when your diet’s in check! Advantages of Using Probiotics for Men For example, if you were to undergo treatment with antibiotics, which kill off bacteria, probiotics will help replenish your body with these helpful bacteria, keeping your digestive system working as it should. There are also many other perks such as increased energy, immune system support and even weight loss. Did you know that the gut is home to hundreds of millions of neurons? It might seem strange, but many scientists actually call the gut the ‘second brain’. It seems logical, therefore, that if you keep your gut happy, the rest of you will be happy too. What Makes A Good Probiotic Supplement? When you’re looking for the best probiotic for men, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the immense volume of different offerings available. There are, however, some key points you should consider when comparing alternatives: 1. A good supplement will give details You should be able to see the specific probiotic strains included as well as the amount of colony-forming units (CFUs). Typically, the more strains included and the higher the amount of CFUs, the better. Many of the top products now have around 5 billion CFUs per capsule/pill. There has been much debate over whether or not the amount of CFUs is actually a good indicator of a product’s quality. Many argue that it’s rather the variety of different strains included in the probiotic that makes for a good supplement. Some of the most important strains include: L. acidophilus – A strain of the Lactobacillus species, which aids in the digestion of dairy products and nutrient absorption. B. bifidum – This strain breaks down complex carbohydrates, protein and fat. It becomes more and more important as you get older, especially for the digestion of dairy products. B. longum – A strain tasked with maintaining the integrity of the intestinal wall and feeding off toxins. L. rhamnosus – AKA the “travel probiotic” is a strain that helps with the prevention of traveler’s diarrhoea. L. fermentum – This strain promotes a healthy level of gut bacteria by neutralizing some of the byproducts of the digestion process. 2. The product delivery system is very important. The reason for this is that bacteria are living organisms and need to reach your gut alive. This means they need to be kept alive and healthy while on store shelves as well as survive the treacherous journey through a sea of stomach acid before reaching their final destination. There was once a time when probiotics actually had to be refrigerated. New technology has done away with this, but it’s still important to protect these bacteria from heat, moisture and light. When comparing alternatives, look for a product with thick, opaque packaging and details of the technology used. Top probiotic supplements often utilize a controlled-release capsule or tablet that protects the bacteria from stomach acid while on their way to the intestinal tract. 3. Expiration dates are of the utmost importance. Nowadays expiration dates are mandatory, so when you’re looking for the best probiotic for men or women, this is a great way of separating the wheat from the chaff. This is the manufacturer’s promise to you that the bacteria will remain active and potent up to the specified date. It also shows that the company is conducting tests and giving these matters the attention they deserve. If a supplement doesn’t display a visible expiration date, this should raise red flags as there will be no way to know how long the bacteria in the supplement is expected to last. Health Issues Specific To Men Men and women are different in many ways and one of them is the health issues they face. In general, women are often healthier than men, but with a little help, that doesn’t have to be the case. Cardiovascular Diseases One in five men will die from a cardiovascular disease. When you suffer from cardiovascular disease, the cholesterol in your body blocks the arteries in the heart and brain. You can then suffer from a blood clot which can cause either a heart attack or stroke. Lung Cancer Tobacco usage accounts for 90% of lung cancers, so the easy way to prevent this horrible disease is to not smoke. Lung cancer will account for the death of more men than any other cancer each year. Prostate Cancer Women can’t possibly suffer from this disease as they don’t have prostate glands. The prostate gland is the size of a walnut and lies behind the penis. It’s in charge of secreting fluid needed for ejaculation. Each year, up to 200,000 men will develop prostate cancer in the United States. With early detection and treatment, prostate cancer normally isn’t fatal. Depression Depression is an emotional disturbance that will affect your entire well-being. You’ll find that your sleep patterns, appetite and energy levels all get disturbed by this sneaky disease. Research has gone as far as suggesting that men who suffer from depression will be more likely to develop heart disease in the future. Depressive symptoms show up differently for men than women. Men will tend to become more angry or aggressive instead of sad and emotional. This can lead to addiction issues as a way to cope. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among men and that number is even higher for young men. Diabetes Diabetes tends to come on silently with blood sugar levels slowly creeping up higher. The most common symptoms are frequent urination and excessive thirst. The glucose turns into a slow poison in a man’s blood vessels and nerves. It can lead to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, amputations and kidney failure. Erectile Dysfunction While this isn’t a life threatening issue, it could indicate a more serious health issue. Two-thirds of men who are older than 70 can have trouble with erectile dysfunction. This isn’t just an issue for the older generation, however, as almost 40% of 40-year old men have had issues as well. One common cause of erectile dysfunction can be atherosclerosis. This is the same process that causes heart attacks and strokes. With that in mind, ED is a common warning sign for cardiovascular diseases. Key Benefits To Taking A Probiotic Specific For Men Probiotics aren’t just for women. Many health issues that men face can be prevented with the help of a quality probiotic specific for men. Yeast Infections I know when you hear this, you assume I am talking about issues for women, but I am not. Male yeast infections may be less common, but they happen. They are most often spread through sexual intercourse. The problem with yeast infections is that your immune system becomes weakened as a result and you are more susceptible to disease. Probiotics will help rebuild the body after a round of antibiotics to give you further protection against yeast infections. Health Of The Urinary Tract Do you think it’s only women that suffer from urinary tract infections? Wrong again! While this is also less common in men than women, there’s still an issue to be addressed. Men over the age of 50 are more likely to suffer from urinary issues, especially if there are underlying prostate problems. Probiotics can play a role in the prevention of these painful infections. Cardiovascular Diseases While there isn’t a supplement or dietary change that can completely erase your risk of cardiovascular diseases, there are things to do that improve your overall heart health. Probiotics can lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Due to the fact that cholesterol and triglycerides play a major role in heart disease, it makes sense to add a probiotic specific to men if you want to improve your heart health. Bowel Health The gastrointestinal tract is the main place for probiotics to show their magic. In a healthy body, the intestinal tract will be lined with millions of the good bacteria we need. This fights off diseases and inflammation in our body. When these bacteria are killed off due to medications or dietary choices, diseases begin to multiply. This is one of the leading causes of irritable bowel syndrome in men. By using a quality probiotic, you can alter the way in which your immune system responds and start fighting off bad bacteria once again. Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics Hyperbiotics was founded by Jamie Morea after her encounter with a parasite called Entamoeba Histolytica. Overcoming it, she felt empowered with her new-found knowledge and set out on a quest to create a better probiotic. Hyperbiotics was born. The company keeps one Indian proverb at the forefront: “A man with his health has 1000 dreams; a man without it has only one.” Hyperbiotics PRO-15 is one of the best probiotic supplements on the market. It includes 60 time-release pearls which are said to be 15 times more effective than normal capsules. The dosage is one per day, one bottle will last around 2 months. Hyperbiotics is available at a reasonable price of around $20 to $25 and has received stellar customer feedback. This product stands out from the crowd due to the patented technology involved in its production. It has an extremely long shelf life as well as the creation of the time-controlled BIO-tract pearls. Check The Best Price Here Pros This supplement goes above and beyond our established criteria. It has additional benefits in terms of weight loss, immune system support and enhanced energy levels. This keeps the bacteria alive and potent, ensuring that you receive the benefits you expect. Thirdly, this probiotic has a shelf life of 18 months due to the company’s patented LiveBac manufacturing process. The product also comes in an opaque bottle which protects the bacteria from heat, light and moisture. Be sure to keep this somewhere cool and dry. This ensures that they bypass your stomach acids and reach the intestinal tract alive and well. Secondly, this probiotic supplement has its own patented delivery method. Compliments of the BIO-tract pearls, the probiotic organisms are released over an 8-10 hour period. These work together to maintain a balance of bacteria in the gut and ensure proper digestion. First off, it fulfills our first requirement with ease, having 5 billion CFUs per BIO-tract pearl and incorporating a staggering 15 different probiotic strains. There are many reasons why this is the best probiotic for men: Cons There aren’t many downfalls, but some competing products are slightly cheaper. Hyperbiotics also offers a separate version of their product specifically for children. Some competing products, like Earth’s Pearl Probiotic and Prebiotic, offer an all-in one solution that’s suitable for both adults and children. Check The Best Price Here Multi-Strain Probiotic Not every probiotic contains the same ingredients. If you’re specifically looking for a multi-strain probiotic, we take a look at one of them here. Many of us believe that bacteria are simply harmful organisms whose sole purpose is to spread disease and cause destruction. There are, however, some “good” and “helpful” bacteria living in your gut which are vital to maintaining your health. You can take probiotics to help replenish these “good” bacteria in your gut to keep your body performing optimally. Did you know that the word ‘probiotic’ comes from Latin and means “for life”? Good bacteria are vital for human life to thrive. A multi-strain probiotic is one which contains a variety of different bacteria. This, in turn, means that the supplement is far more effective. It combines various “helpful” bacteria which perform different tasks in the quest to keep your gut healthy. What Makes A Good Multi-Strain Probiotic? When you’re looking for a great multi-strain probiotic, you should consider the following: It’s important to look at how many different strains they contain as well as which specific types these are. Some strains perform completely different tasks. The top products will have complimentary strains that perform a myriad of different tasks. The methods of evaluating probiotics are controversial and many still believe these products can be judged by the number of colony-forming units (CFUs). Many experts do, however, agree that it’s the combination of different complimentary strains that actually results in a brilliant probiotic. The reason for this is because different strains are good at different tasks. For example, L. acidophilus is a strain of the Lactobacillus species and is extremely helpful in the digestion of dairy products as well as nutrient absorption. B. longum performs the completely unrelated but important task of maintaining the intestinal wall and feeding off parasites and toxins. L. fermentum neutralizes many of the byproducts of digestion in an effort to maintain a healthy level of bacteria in the gut. B. bifidum breaks down complex carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, while L. rhamnosus, also known as the “travel probiotic”, helps with the prevention of traveler’s diarrhoea. Therefore, the combination of these different strains can make for a very powerful supplement. This makes it capable of protecting and maintaining the gut against various threats. The number of colony-forming units (CFUs) is still important and, in general, the higher, the better. Top performing probiotic supplements now have around 4 to 5 billion CFUs per capsule or pearl. Storage The way in which the probiotic is stored and delivered is also very important. Bacterias are alive. They’re living organisms and need to stay that way in order to perform their functions. The container they are kept in needs to keep these organisms alive throughout distribution and on store shelves.A You should look for an offer with a sealed, opaque bottle or container which keeps light, heat, and moisture out and therefore ensures the bacteria survive. The actual probiotic delivery system is also important. This is the way in which the bacteria actually get to your gut. Probiotics may come in pill, capsule or pearl form. It’s vital that the casing around the bacteria can protect them from your stomach acid. A very popular way of doing this is by using time-controlled or time-released capsules and pearls. This ensures that the capsule wall maintains its integrity for a predetermined time, allowing all the bacteria to bypass the stomach safely, before being released into the intestine. Expiration dates are also important in comparing alternative multi-strain probiotics. These are now required by law, making them a scientific and objective way of comparing different products. The reason these dates are important is that they inform users how long the bacteria will remain alive and potent. Dead bacteria won’t do anyone any good. A believable expiration date is a company’s promise to the consumer. It shows that the company is performing the required tests and actually cares about the results that their customers will receive. Bio-Kult Advanced Probiotic Multi-Strain Formula Bio-Kult is an advanced multi strain probiotic. It’s gluten-free and contains 14 different strains. It’s suitable for both adults and children. This supplement includes 120 capsules as standard, however, you can also select a version with 60 or 180 capsules. Check The Best Price Here Pros And Cons Let’s see how this product stacks up against our criteria. First off, it contains multiple different strains. These include the previously mentioned strains of L. acidophilus, B. long, B. bifid and L. rhamnose, as well as 10 others. In terms of CFUs, each capsule contains two billion microorganisms. This is high, but not as high as some competing products. Some competing products such as Garden of Life Probiotic Supplement for Men have as many as 50 billion CFUs/capsule. As we discussed, for many, this is no longer the deciding factor. Also, a very high CFU/capsule can have certain adverse effects such as fatigue. The product also comes in an opaque bottle, packaged inside a cardboard box. This is good for keeping the bacteria alive and well in transport and storage. The actual capsules go through a freeze-drying process which protects them from stomach acid and allows them to reach your intestinal tract. All bottles have clear expiration dates, meaning they’re conducting the correct tests and paying attention to these issues in an effort to make sure that all the strains survive. More About Multi Strain Probiotics Bio-Kult is a very good multi strain probiotic. It comprises a large variety of different strains of bacteria, affording users a multitude of advantages. Due to the lower CFU count, it’s actually very suited to individuals just starting out with probiotics and will have very few adverse effects and lots of positive ones! Best Probiotics Brands On The Market If your digestive system seems a little out of balance lately, it could be your body’s natural digestive bacteria. Even if you’re just feeling a little under the weather lately, there’s a high chance that it could be your gut. Approximately 70% of your immune system is regulated by your gut and bacteria. I personally take precautionary measures, especially in the winter, by taking probiotics. The following probiotics are full of the good bacteria your body needs to fight off infection and digest your food properly. Not only does the bacteria itself boost your immune system, but your body will also be able to extract more nutrients from your food so it can fight any infection. Here are some of my favorite probiotics brands for you to try out. Renew Life If you’ve been looking for a powerhouse supplement to ease your stomach then try out my favorite probiotics brands “Renew Life”. They have probiotics ranging from about fifty to fifteen dollars so anyone can find a product which suits their budget. From ninety-billion cultures to twenty-five-billion cultures, “Renew Life’s” lineup will have you ready to go! Not only does this brand provide customers with a solid probiotic, they also make digestive enzymes, fiber, fish oil, and body cleansing kits. Known for its immune boosting probiotic blend, this product is a great all-around daily supplement. It’s high-potency formula and its specially selected strains are designed to re-establish your digestive balance. If you find yourself lacking in energy and feeling run down then this product will be the one to reach for. Renew Life promotes feeling better, lighter, more energized. It provides relief to those who experience occasional digestive discomfort, making for a happier, healthier you. Furthermore, focusing on the probiotic aspect, all bacterial cultures included in their probiotic lineup have been lab tested to ensure quality control. They also include time-release capsules so they can get further into your digestive tract where they need to be. Check The Best Price Here Now Foods Another one of my favorite probiotic brands would definitely have to be “Now Foods”. They allow the consumer to choose from a variety of probiotics for a much more ‘value’ oriented price. Their top tier probiotic is only around thirty bucks. Not everyone needs the fifty-billion cultures in their top tier product so they’ve released plenty of other great choices. A lot of their products are vegetarian, reassuring for those following special diets. If taking multiple bacterial strains is not your thing then try out one of their single strain brands like “Acidophilus Two Billion”. Check The Best Price Here Nature’s Bounty One of the best probiotic brands for those seeking an even less expensive option can come to “Nature’s Bounty” for some digestive support. Their top tier probiotic can be pricey for some. It’s around 30 bucks, but they have plenty of other choices all the way down to four dollars! There’s really no excuse for your tummy to be hurting now, or your wallet. Not only does Nature’s Bounty provide great support for your digestive tract, they also include heart and beauty support to keep your body operating at its maximum potential. Check The Best Price Here Garden Of Life The fourth brand on my best probiotic brands list is an athlete-orientated supplement company. With some of the purest products on the market, it’s a perfect fit for those who spend hours in the gym or just have an active lifestyle. Garden of Life excels in the support of the digestive system and colon health. This product promotes healthy and comfortable bowel movements relieving constipation, diarrhea, and aiding in digestion of dairy products. With the ability to thrive in the toughest environments, this probiotic blend is undeterred by stomach and bile acid. If you’re looking for something to help with normal intestinal function and regularity, then with these supplements you can maintain a healthy immune system. You can subsequently prevent further discomfort in your digestive and colon health. Now not all of their products are pocket-friendly, but you don’t have to get the highest priced probiotic. They offer a variety of probiotics that will promise to fit your budget. They even make specific probiotics with the female body in mind. Even if you aren’t interested in probiotics, you can chose from a variety of proteins, vitamins, pre workout, and more. But remember, all of those other supplements won’t digest correctly unless your body has the proper digestive bacteria, so pick up one of their probiotic products today! Check The Best Price Here Dr. Tobias My final probiotic brand has more of the professional customer in mind. This probiotic really separates itself from the other probiotics brands. Optimum Probiotics: Deep Immune System Support (we’ll call it DISS for short) also actively works against bad bacteria. It does this with a few tricks up its sleeve. One being a target release system that allows for the capsule to better reach the lower digestive tract. A time release capsule provides you and me with a steady flow of good bacteria throughout the day. Another plus, especially for vegetarians (I definitely know a few), is the vegetarian and the Kosher certifications. You can take these guilt free! Their philosophy puts the science first; only real statistics and lab tests have been used to prove the bacterial strains’ effectiveness. If you’re not pleased with this product (and I’m not sure why that would be!) then no worries. Dr.Tobias offers a 100% money back guarantee for up to thirty days after your purchase. That’s plenty of time for you and your body to figure out if their products will work for you or not. Check The Best Price Here Things To Consider About These Brands So in conclusion, there are plenty of great probiotics brands to choose from. Whether you just need a little support and don’t want to break the bank, or you’re a serious athlete that needs to keep your body in tip top condition, there’s a probiotic for you! As we’ve discussed, not everyone needs fifty-billion cultures. Some of us just need one specific strain that’s been missing from our digestive tract. Helpfully, these brands also supply other supplements that help support the probiotic. Hopefully this article can help guide you through your journey to better health and a better state of mind. Wishing you a tummy bursting with good bacteria! How Do I Take Them? The best way to take probiotics starts with choosing a supplement. Always buy through a reputable company. Your local health store will have the best brands on offer and someone on hand to speak to about what’s best for your needs. Be sure to read the label, as not all manufactures are the same. Sometimes they are even a bit confusing, but that is why I’m here to help! How much you should take completely depends on your situation. Probiotics are measured by colony-forming units (CFU’s) and how much is in a capsule completely depends on the brand. If you’re healthy and wanting to maintain a healthy gut, then one billion CFU’s daily is sufficient. If you have been on a course of antibiotics, 10-15 billion CFU’s can help you get back on track. When experiencing a gut issue such as diarrhoea, then somewhere in the middle (about 6-8 billion CFU’s) is recommended. You never want to take more than recommended, because that can lead to excess gas, pain and bloating. If you’re vegetarian or vegan you should also be careful when it comes to selecting a probiotic, as some capsules can have milk proteins or gelatine in them. Always check the label! How Long Do They Last? Traveling? That’s ok! Probiotics are usually fine out of the refrigerator for one to two weeks. A general rule to follow is that if you feel comfortable with the room temperature then your probiotics should still stay at their maximum potency. What Are Refrigerated Probiotics? You may be surprised to learn there are over 500 species of ‘good bacteria’ that are naturally present in your body. In fact, you’ve got around 100 trillion bacteria in and on your body right now! No need to worry, though. Although there is such a thing as bad bacteria, good bacteria is responsibly for keeping us fit and healthy. With the use of supplements, we can utilize the strength of these friendly bacteria to improve our overall health. There are many known benefits to taking refrigerated probiotics. The three main advantages are enhancing the immune system, improving digestion and reducing the severity of allergies and preventing food borne illnesses. Deciding on which refrigerated probiotics to use can be difficult with the variety available. It’s essential to choose based on your individual requirements. Understanding what each strain can do for your health is confusing, so I’ve created a list of the top 5 best refrigerated probiotics out there. 5 Best Refrigerated Probiotics VSL If you find yourself suffering from inflammation related conditions such as IBS, IBD, joint pain, eczema etc then this is the right product for you. VSL’s probiotic blend contains Lactobacillus Plantarum. This reduces the permeability of the gut, helps with immunity and is known to assist in the dietary management of IBS. Another factor to consider is the shipping and delivering of these probiotics which I find rather impressive. Being freeze dried, and then shipped in a Styrofoam lined box with 24 oz ice pack allows for temperature control which ensures bacteria viability. Check The Best Price Here Nutamax Probiotic Supplements When you’re visiting other countries you may find that your digestive system will become sensitive when consuming certain foods. Within this product’s unique blend is the probiotic strain L Rhamnosus, is known as the ‘Travel Probiotic’. Aiding in the prevention and treatment of foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and food poisoning are reasons I believe this product is a useful one to chose. The federal government estimates that one in six Americans get sick every year from foodborne illness. If it’s a trip abroad you wish to prepare, for then these probiotics are the ones to pack in your suitcase. Check The Best Price Here Earth’s Wisdom Probiotic A positive of this product is it’s 100% natural, vegan, non-GMO, dairy & gluten-free. If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, then rest assured that Earth’s Wisdom covers a wide variety. Supporting the immune and digestive system, I see this product as an all-rounder with a few added extras. One is the inclusion of fermented greens such as barley grass, oat grass, wheat grass and alfalfa. Doctor recommended for noth men and woman, this probiotic blend also includes a delayed release to ensure your supplement reaches its destination in your gut with its full potency intact. If you’re looking for a probiotic that covers all your specific requirements, go for Earth’s Wisdom. Check The Best Price Here Why Choose Refrigerated Probiotics? With growing health awareness, people are paying more and more attention to refrigerated probiotic supplements. Now we all know that when you’re not 100% in health, your day will surely be tough. Whether its work, school or free time, you need to feel your best. So if you’re feeling run down, suffering from an upset stomach, or you’re in need of a boost, then find the right refrigerated probiotics out there suited to your specific requirements . The five products detailed above have all different strengths to target specific ailments. If you select carefully, you will surely reap the rewards! Your Heading Here Enter your text here… H3 text H3 text Check The Best Price Here Conclusion I would definitely recommend Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics, especially if you’re struggling with indigestion or fatigue. The company has various patents which reflect a culture of innovation and have led to the formulation of an unparalleled probiotic supplement. The product achieves the above-mentioned criteria with ease and the clear shelf life and expiration date show that the company is giving the important issues the attention they deserve. The story about the co-founder and her journey to creating a better probiotic shows a personal stake in this pursuit and gives the company a huge amount of credibility. The concept that bacteria is both the foundation and the future of health might well be true.
