The 7 Best Probiotics for Men of 2023

Your gut microbiome consists of trillions of living (yes, living) bacteria called probiotics. These microorganisms are vital to your immune and digestive systems, and can even influence your mood and energy levels. (1) Now, eating a well-rounded diet containing probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kimchi is always a good way to keep your bacteria count in check, but probiotic supplements can also be a worthwhile method for giving your gut a daily boost. 

The best probiotics for men can be a simple addition to your supplement stack, but finding the formulation that’s ideal for you can be tough. After all, these supplements are more complex than your typical protein powder or multivitamin, and certain bacteria strains can lead to different sensations in your gut and body. So, to help you narrow down your search, we tested over 20 top-performing probiotic supplements, conducted hours of research, and reviewed hundreds of customer reviews to find the seven best probiotics for men available now.

The 7 Best Probiotics for Men of 2023

• Best Probiotic for Men Overall: Transparent Labs Gut Health Probiotic
• Best Probiotic for Men’s Gut Health: Onnit Gut Health with Probiotics
• Best Comprehensive Probiotic for Men: Ritual Synbiotic+
• Best Budget Probiotic for Men: Kaged Pro-Biotic
• Best Probiotic for Men’s Immunity: Swolverine Probiotix
• Best Probiotic for Men’s Digestion: Athletic Greens AG1
• Best Vegan Probiotic for Men: Transparent Labs Gut Health Probiotic

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. 

How We Tested

The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. We know that health and wellness is not just about how you look on the outside, but how you feel on the inside, as well. For this round-up, we tested 22 probiotic supplements, noting how their complex formulations influenced our daily wellness levels. We examined each tested product’s ingredients list, focusing on the number of colony-forming units in each serving, as well as the included strains per dose.

We also kept an eye out for other ingredients that could potentially bring added fiber, vitamins, or minerals to our supplement stack. Probiotics that featured some form of third-party testing were also noteworthy, giving an added sense of reassurance that the supplements were free of any banned substances.

Given the fact that probiotics are living microorganisms, we also took note of any special storage requirements that came with these supplements. Did they need to be refrigerated or kept in certain conditions, or could they share countertop space with some of our other daily supplements?

Lastly, probiotics can be some of the most expensive supplements in your regimen, with some complex formulations costing upwards of $3 per serving. We looked at a variety of price points in testing to create a well-rounded list catering to all budget types.

Best Probiotic for Men Overall: Transparent Labs Gut Health Probiotic

Specs

• Price Per Serving: $1.53
• Form: Capsules
• Included Strains: 10
• Colony Forming Units: 100 billion per serving 
• Storage Instructions: Store in a cool, dry place

Pros

• Men wanting a robust probiotic will appreciate the 100 billion CFUs per serving.
• This probiotic comes in a capsule, making it easy and convenient to consume.
• This probiotic is free of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colorings.

Cons

• Not all athletes will need a probiotic with 10 varying strains.
• The 100 billion CFUs per serving can potentially cause stomach discomfort for some. (6)
• Athletes can find cheaper probiotics out there, albeit with lesser CFUs per dose.

Thanks to a hearty dose of colony-forming units, a convenient capsule makeup, and a simple storage method, we believe Gut Health Probiotic from Transparent Labs to be the best probiotic for men available today. In testing, it was clear that this particular probiotic was the most robust formulation we tried, packing in 10 individual strains of microorganisms for a total of 100 billion CFUs per serving. That’s well beyond the typical dosage, which commonly ranges between one and 10 billion CFUs per serving. (4)

We also appreciate how Transparent Labs utilizes lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-14) as its predominant probiotic in the formulation at a listed 25 billion CFU per dose. This is one of the most commonly used probiotics in formulations for its tendency to create unfriendly environments for “bad” bacteria in the intestines. (5) Common effects of supplementing with this “good” bacteria can include improvements to your immune and digestive systems, a better tolerance to lactose, and lessened symptoms associated with chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Additionally, we enjoyed how easy it was to add this Transparent Labs probiotic to our regimen. A serving consists of two capsules, so finding the time in the morning for proper consumption is a breeze. Also, we liked that this probiotic supplement doesn’t need to be refrigerated after opening, which allowed us to keep the bottle handily on our counters for quick, convenient servings each day. Other probiotics require a cold environment to retain their potency over time, which can add another (albeit small) step to the process. 

As impressive as this probiotic is, however, we recommend you ease into a regular supplement schedule with this pick. The 100 billion CFUs per dose can give you a major gut check at first, especially if you’ve never taken a probiotic supplement before. Symptoms can include stomach discomfort, bloating, gas, or diarrhea — not exactly the results you’re likely looking for from the start. (6) 

It may be best to cut your servings in half at first to get a feel for your body’s reaction to the extra microorganisms. If that still leaves you with uncomfortable sensations, you may need to opt for a probiotic with less CFUs.

[Related: Why Probiotics Are Extra Beneficial for Athletes]

Best Probiotic for Men’s Gut Health: Onnit Gut Health with Probiotics

Specs

• Price Per Serving: $2.53
• Form: Capsules
• Included Strains: 5
• Colony Forming Units: 10 billion per serving
• Storage Instructions: Store in a cool, dry place.

Pros

• Each packet contains 900mg of Jerusalem artichoke and 600mg of organic dandelion root to fuel the probiotics for a more positive balance in gut flora overall.
• The DigestTech enzyme blend can help you better digest key macronutrients, according to the brand.
• The single-serving packaging can be great for keeping supplementation simple.

Cons

• At nearly $75 for a month’s supply, this probiotic may not fit in every athlete’s budget.
• Pill-averse athletes may prefer a probiotic with less than seven capsules per serving. 
• The individual packets can create added waste and refuse.

If your main goal of adding a probiotic to your stack is to improve your gut health and digestion, we recommend Onnit’s Gut Health with Probiotics packets. You get seven capsules in a convenient single-serving packet, and while this may be too many pills at once for some, we think the performance supports the added capsules.

This makeup allows each component, like Onnit’s flagship full-spectrum DigestTech enzyme blend, to be properly dosed with key ingredients like Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Pectinase, Lactase, and others for the sake of improved digestion and gut health. There are also two capsules containing 900mg of Jerusalem artichoke and 600mg of organic dandelion root, which serve as prebiotics for the five included probiotic strains. Prebiotics, essentially, serve as food for other probiotics, allowing the microbiome to stay naturally balanced over time. (7)

There’s also something to be said about the single-serving packaging. We enjoyed how simple it was to have this gut booster on-hand, especially during travel days or stays away from our kitchen and supplement cabinet. Additionally, Gut Health with Probiotics doesn’t require additional storage precautions like refrigeration, meaning you can easily store your daily packet in a pocket or gym bag until it’s time for your daily dose.

At nearly $75 for a month’s worth of gut support, though, we understand that Onnit’s Gut Health with Probiotics may be too expensive for some budgets. You’re able to find other probiotic supplements that can deliver digestive support for much less, albeit in a less convenient packaging. Be sure to analyze your budget and personal needs before ordering a stack of your own.

Best Comprehensive Probiotic for Men: Ritual Synbiotic+

Specs

• Price Per Serving: $1.80
• Form: Capsules
• Included Strains: 2
• Colony Forming Units: 11 billion per serving
• Storage Instructions: No refrigeration needed.

Pros

• The formulation is robust with 15mg of prebiotics, 11 billion CFUs of probiotics, and 300mg of the postbiotic Tributyrin. 
• This probiotic doesn’t need to be refrigerated to maintain its potency.
• The delayed-release capsule can help the included probiotics reach the colon more easily.

Cons

• Ritual automatically signs you up for repeat orders at the time of initial purchase.
• Some of our testers noted uncomfortable sensations like gas and bloating with the first few doses.
• Each capsule features a minty flavoring, which may be undesired by some.

For balancing your gut microbiome efficiently, it’s tough to beat Ritual’s Synbiotic+. Each daily serving is just one capsule, and that easy-to-swallow dose delivers a comprehensive three-in-one formulation containing prebiotics (bacteria food), probiotics (“good” bacteria), and postbiotics (even more bacteria food).

We appreciate this makeup, as it helps give the included probiotics the best chance possible to flourish. The 15mg of prebiotics serve as both a delayed-release capsule to have the probiotics delivered effectively to the colon, as well as food for the bacteria once they’ve reached their destination. The included 300mg of Tributyrin can also be beneficial for bloating and indigestion, according to studies. (8)

The main ingredients, naturally, are the two probiotic strains — lactobacillus rhamnosus and bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis. These two bacteria have been shown to effectively improve your gut barrier, allowing for the optimal growth of “good” bacteria within your microbiome. (9)(10) We also appreciate the dosage of this probiotic blend, as 11 billion CFUs is just slightly above the average probiotic serving yet still can be effective for a number of athletes. (4)

We do want to note, though, that while we witnessed the effectiveness of Synbiotic+ during testing, it wasn’t an immediate boost to our systems. Our tester noted that after taking Synbiotic+ for the first few days of trials, they experienced some uncomfortable gas and digestive rumblings — common symptoms associated with probiotic supplementation. (6) Thankfully, though, these side effects subsided after the initial flare-ups, and they noted no discomfort for the rest of their scheduled doses. 

Best Budget Probiotic for Men: Kaged Pro-Biotic

Specs

• Price Per Serving: $0.33
• Form: Capsules
• Included Strains: 1
• Colony Forming Units: 10 billion per serving
• Storage Instructions: Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight.

Pros

• Pro-Biotic’s 33-cent serving cost is the most affordable offering we found during testing.
• Studies show that Lactobacillus plantarum may increase aerobic endurance during exercise. (11)
• Our testers said taking the single, unflavored capsule per serving is easy to take.

Cons

• The three recommended servings per day can be inconvenient. 
• Athletes accustomed to probiotics may find the 10 billion CFUs per serving ineffective.
• More comprehensive formulations with added prebiotics and postbiotics are out there.

When a supplement comes in at less than 50 cents per serving, it’s a quick contender for any budget-friendly moniker. With each dose costing athletes 33 cents, it’s obvious that we’d proclaim Kaged’s Pro-Biotic as the best budget probiotic for men. For reference, other probiotics we tested typically came in between $1.50 and $2.65 per dose. Outside of its approachable price point, we also found this unique capsule to be a beacon of boosted performance in our training.

The probiotic strain at play with Pro-Biotic is TWK10, a patented form of lactobacillus plantarum. This bacteria strain, derived from fermented kimchi, has been shown to improve exercise endurance, muscle energy, and body composition while also facilitating proper gut health. (11) This was a unique experience for us in testing, as we definitely noticed a lower sense of fatigue when tackling our weekly workout splits, along with better digestion and subdued bloating.

Pro-Biotic is also a favorite of ours, thanks to its easily-swallowed capsule makeup. Each serving calls for just one capsule, which can be taken down in an instant with a supporting gulp of your favorite beverage. 

We do wish, however, that Kaged would heighten the potency of each capsule to create a single serving per day schedule. According to the brand, it’s recommended you consume three capsules daily with your meals — a feat that’s accomplishable, but still less convenient than one dose in the morning.

Finally, we feel the 10 billion CFUs per serving can be a suitable number for most athletes, especially when you consider that a day’s total will have you consuming 30 billion CFUs overall. Admittedly, though, different athletes have different needs, and that serving may be too little to promote any change in your personal microbiome. You may need a more potent formulation to generate positive results.

Best Probiotic for Men’s Immunity: Swolverine Probiotix

Specs

• Price Per Serving: $0.55
• Form: Capsules
• Included Strains: 7
• Colony Forming Units: 5.75 billion per serving
• Storage Instructions: Keep refrigerated to maximize shelf-life and potency.

Pros

• The formulation includes bifidobacterium longum, which has shown to be a positive bacteria for supporting immune health. (12)
• The 5.75 billion CFUs per serving can be more approachable for newcomers. (6)
• At just 55 cents per dose, Probiotix is one of the most affordable supplements we tested.

Cons

• Some athletes may prefer a more robust formulation with added prebiotics and postbiotics.
• The CFUs of each included strain are unknown from the ingredients list alone.
• Probiotix is manufactured in a facility that processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

Men can boost their immune system by supplementing with probiotics. For this potential benefit, we recommend Swolverine’s Probiotix. According to our tester, the single serving capsules are roughly the size of your typical ibuprofen, meaning they’re very easy to down with a glass of water. Additionally, the 5.75 billion CFUs of probiotics can be a good starting point for less experienced athletes, as there’s less of a chance of digestive discomfort with the first initial doses. (6)

Those 5.75 billion CFUs are composed of seven different probiotic strains, including bifidobacterium longum. This “good” bacteria has indicated excellent potential to trigger immunomodulatory responses involved in the maintenance of our healthy physiological state, according to studies. (6) Other featured strains include lactobacillus casei for treating symptoms of arthritis and joint inflammation, bifidobacterium breve for reduced gas, bloating, and diarrhea, and lactobacillus acidophilus for improved digestion. (13)(14)(5)

We also appreciate the price of this worthwhile probiotic supplement. At just 55 cents per serving, it’s one of the most wallet-friendly picks we had the pleasure of testing. Plus, Swolverine offers a 15 percent discount when you subscribe for repeat deliveries, adding to the budget appeal of Probiotix.

As a final note, though, we do caution people sensitive to food-related allergens about this probiotic. Probiotix is manufactured in a facility that processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. While we don’t believe cross contamination is prevalent, it is noteworthy for some. Having an upset stomach is one thing, but an allergic reaction is another side effect we’d like to avoid at all costs.

Best Probiotic for Men’s Digestion: Athletic Greens AG1

Specs

• Price Per Serving: $2.63
• Form: Powder
• Included Strains: 2
• Colony Forming Units: 7.2 billion per serving
• Storage Instructions: Refrigerate after opening.

Pros

• The digestive enzyme complex is rich with stomach-boosting ingredients, including astragalus root extract, bromelain, and burdock root powder.
• The layered formulation features 75 different components targeting multiple health categories, like digestion, focus, energy, and healthy aging.
• Our tester enjoyed the vanilla and pineapple flavoring that cut through the “grassy” taste.

Cons

• The powder can begin to settle if not consumed immediately after mixing.
• Not all athletes will need as robust a formulation as this greens powder.
• To maintain its potency and effectiveness, AG1 needs to be refrigerated.

Athletic Greens AG1 is more of an all-in-one super beverage than a standalone probiotic for men, but that doesn’t mean it can’t enhance your digestive system with worthwhile ingredients. Of the 75 (yes, 75) ingredients listed in a single serving, key standouts include the 154mg of Athletic Greens’ Digestive Enzyme and Super Mushroom Complex. This blend includes astragalus root extract, bromelain, and burdock root powder as well as reishi and shiitake mushroom powder to help you absorb vital nutrients and support your gut lining, according to the brand.

There’s also a hearty serving of probiotics in this concoction, too — 7.2 billion CFUs, to be exact. Combining lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum, this serving can be excellent for breaking down nutrients for absorption and fending off “bad” bacteria looking to infiltrate your microbiome. (5)(15)

In testing, we enjoyed this comprehensive greens powder, and felt it was a convenient way to up our intake of vital nutrients, vitamins, probiotics, and more in one fell swoop. Additionally, our tester said the vanilla and pineapple flavoring did wonders to eliminate that “grassy” taste often associated with greens powders. We do recommend wasting little time with this shake once it’s been made, though. We noticed that the powder can begin to separate if left alone for too long between sips.

Naturally, though, AG1 may not be the best probiotic for athletes just looking for an extra helping of bacteria each day. There are a litany of extra ingredients designed to promote overall health and wellness, and while these can be great additions to your nutrition plan, it may be overkill for some. If you’re looking for that convenient one-stop-shop to start your day, AG1 can deliver, but if you just want a simple way to target your microbiome, there are cheaper options on the market.

Read our full Athletic Greens AG1 Review.

Best Vegan Probiotic for Men: Transparent Labs Gut Health Probiotic

Specs

• Price Per Serving: $1.53
• Form: Capsules
• Included Strains: 10
• Colony Forming Units: 100 billion per serving 
• Storage Instructions: Store in a cool, dry place

Pros

• The capsules are composed of vegan hypromellose for an animal-product-free formula.
• The probiotic supplement is free of any artificial sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives.
• Gut Health Probiotic packs in 100 billion CFUs per serving — the highest total we found in testing.

Cons

• It’s recommended you take this probiotic on an empty stomach.
• The doses of multiple bacteria strains may leave some with stomach discomfort at first.
• You can find cheaper probiotics on the market.

Probiotic supplements can be excellent additions to a plant-based diet, as food sources for these bacteria often contain dairy or animal products. (4) Studies have shown that athletes following a plant-based diet can benefit from probiotic supplementation, as this can help increase the richness of the bacterial population within the gut and trigger improved digestive enzyme activity. (16)

For athletes practicing a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, Gut Health Probiotic from Transparent Labs can be an excellent source for improved gut health. Not only are the capsules made from vegan hypromellose, but this probiotic supplement is also free of any artificial sweeteners, colorings, or preservatives. Plus, we appreciate the fact that this probiotic supplement is certified by Informed Choice, reassuring athletes that the formulation is free of any banned substances.

In testing, we enjoyed the convenience on display with the simple two-capsule serving size. There’s also no flavor present, which can be great for athletes wanting to get their dosage down without any lingering taste. Transparent Labs does recommend taking your daily serving on an empty stomach, however, so it may be best to consume these at the start of your day before you’ve had your breakfast.

Additionally, we recommend this probiotic supplement for vegan athletes because there’s a ton of potential for improved digestive and immune health through the formulation containing 10 individual strains of bacteria. Plus, the 100 billion CFUs per serving is the highest total we encountered in testing. This may be too powerful for some and can lead to initial stomach discomfort, but if you’re already deficient in bacteria given your other diet choices, this can be a quick way to bolster that microbiome complexity.

How We Choose the Best Probiotics for Men

Probiotics are some of the most popular supplements out there today, according to the American Pharmacists Association, and sifting through the available options can be a tricky endeavor. (17) Different strains and dosages can impact everyone at varying levels, so we looked at a number of factors, including colony forming units, storage requirements, featured probiotic strains, and price per serving when building out this well-rounded guide.

Colony Forming Units

Probiotics are measured in colony forming units (CFU), which indicate the number of viable cells in a given serving. (4) Dosages can range from brand to brand, with many falling somewhere between one and 10 billion CFUs per serving. Most individuals can be fine with these formulations, but others may require slight adjustments.

If you’re new to probiotics, you may want to ease into the supplement with a CFU count between one and five billion. This can help eliminate the potential for initial growing pains like an upset stomach, bloating, or increased gassiness. (6)

More experienced athletes can explore higher CFU totals, even up to 100 billion per serving. As such, we aimed to cover the gambit of CFU servings, with the included probiotic supplements ranging between 5.75 and 100 billion units per dose.

Storage Requirements

To maintain potency and effectiveness from the first serving to the last, some probiotics may require some extra attention when it comes to storing the supplement in-between doses. Typically, this means tossing the container into the fridge — a minor adjustment, indeed — but when you compare that to other supplements that can stay within view on a countertop day in and day out, it does add another step to the process.

To suit all convenience preferences, we looked at a variety of supplements with different storage requirements. If you need to clear some space in your fridge for the sake of housing your gut-boosting capsules and powders, we made note of it above.

Available Strains

There are multitudes of bacteria that live in your gut, and many of the premium probiotics employ a myriad of strains to support your digestive and immune systems. We made note of common bacteria showcased in our top picks, explaining how they could potentially influence your microbiome and where you could see the potential benefits. If a certain bacteria was worthwhile at fending off “bad” bacteria, we also pointed that out in our research findings above.

We also looked for probiotic supplements offering a variety of strains in a given serving. These particular options were appealing to us, as they posed as a greater influence on our digestive health over the span of trials. When supplements didn’t house a multitude of strains in their formulations, we made note of that as well.

Price Per Serving

How costly your probiotic supplement of choice is depends on its makeup — the more robust a formulation is, the more expensive it’s likely to be when it comes time to check out.

In our research and trials, we found the most noteworthy probiotics to fall anywhere from 33 cents per serving and 2.63 per serving. We’ve also included a good mix of supplements that fall in the middle of this range in an effort to cater to more budgets, highlighting budget-friendly components and savings opportunities wherever possible.

The Benefits of Probiotics for Men

One of the main benefits associated with probiotic supplementation is improved digestion, but these living concoctions can provide much more to your physique from top to bottom (literally). Below are a few of the top benefits associated with probiotics, along with how you can expect these supplements to improve your day to day.

Improved Digestion

Probiotics can help restore balance to your natural microbiome, leading to reduced sensations like bloating, gas, and other digestive issues. (4) The featured bacteria in most probiotic supplements can also help fend off potential “bad” bacteria trying to infiltrate your flora, leading to better gut maintenance and sustained wellness in the long run. (18)

Immune Support

In addition to keeping your microbiome in order, probiotics can also prove effective across your immune system as well. Supplementing with probiotics can be a great method of keeping “good” bacteria in your system while also defending against “bad” bacteria known to cause disease and illness. Having a strong, balanced gut flora can also influence your immune system’s responses to illness, releasing helpful T cells during the threat of infection. (19)

Prostate Health

Men can also benefit from probiotics thanks to their influence on your prostate. Studies indicate that altering your gut microbiome with probiotics may help prevent or delay prostate cancer development. (27) Additionally, taking a daily serving of probiotics can potentially help increase your testosterone levels while balancing other sex hormones. (28)

Boosted Energy Levels

Your microbiome can also influence your energy levels throughout your daily activities, as studies suggest that creating a worthwhile environment for bacteria to flourish can lead to lessened fatigue. (20) Additionally, certain bacteria strains, like lactobacillus plantarum, have been linked to improved endurance during exercise, which can be great for keeping your energy consistent during hard-nosed training sessions. (11)

Mental Clarity

Dealing with an unhealthy gut can be a stressful challenge in its own right, but did you know that there’s an actual connection between the functionings of your brain and that of your microbiome? (21) Having a balanced gut flora can help lower stress levels and improve cognition, according to studies. (22)

Common Probiotic Strains for Boosted Health and Wellness

When looking into worthwhile probiotics for your supplement stack, it doesn’t take long to realize that there are a lot of bacteria strains out there with the potential to improve your microbiome. Below are just a handful of noteworthy bacteria strains to keep an eye out for when determining the best probiotic supplement for your needs.

Lactobacillus acidophilus

As one of the most common probiotics used in supplementation, this strain can be beneficial for athletes thanks to its influence on digestive and immune systems. Additionally, lactobacillus acidophilus can be a great defense against “bad” bacteria looking to infiltrate your microbiome, acting as a powerful barrier for sustained wellness throughout your regimen. (5)

Lactobacillus fermentum

Fermentum strains of bacteria have been linked to decreases in blood stream cholesterol, along with other benefits including defending against gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections. (23) Because of these potential perks, this bacterial offering can be an excellent option for those putting a heightened emphasis on their immune health during probiotic supplementation.

Lactobacillus casei/paracasei

This bacteria strain can be especially influential on your immune system thanks to its potential for immune modulation, improved gut barrier development, and boosted defense against pathogen adhesion. (13)

Lactobacillus plantarum

According to studies, this training-focused strain can be a premium pick for active individuals thanks to its benefits pertaining to elevated aerobic endurance capacities. (11) Also, lactobacillus plantarum can be great for maintaining body composition, digestive health, and energy retention throughout your fitness regimen.

Lactobacillus reuteri

This is another strain commonly found in the human microbiome, but given the shift in lifestyle changes over the decades, has become decreasingly present in many over time. (24) Supplementing with strains of lactobacillus reuteri can help replenish CFUs for the sake of fighting inflammation and eliminating infections present within the gut.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus was one of the first probiotics ever studied, with notes and research dating back as far as 1882. In that time, studies have shown this strain’s heavy influence on digestion and the immune system, boasting such benefits as decreased inflammation, improved IBS symptoms, better digestion of dairy, and more. (25)

Lactobacillus rhamnosus

You can think of this strain as the helpful cockroach of the bunch, as lactobacillus rhamnosus is resistant to acid and bile, meaning it isn’t destroyed easily in your stomach. As such, this strain can be a great team player when promoting a healthy gut wall, regulating your immune response to infections, and fending against unwanted bacteria. (9)

Bifidobacterium longum ssp. Longum

Studies indicate that supplementing with this particular strain could lead to improved post-workout recovery, as seen in a tested sample of female swimmers over a six-week exercise training phase. (26)

Bifidobacterium bifidum

Serving as another common strain found in probiotic supplements, bifidobacterium bifidum can help manage your digestive system and boost your immune system. There’s also evidence showing its effectiveness against irritable bowel syndrome and other discomforting intestinal conditions. (15)

Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis 

This impressive bacteria strain is already found in the human gut, but supplementing with added CFUs can be an excellent way to maintain optimal counts for intestinal health. Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis has been shown to be effective in helping with constipation as well as irritation from such conditions as irritable bowel syndrome and general stomach discomfort.(10)

How to Find the Best Probiotics for Men

The right probiotic for your needs can depend on a number of factors, including your body’s tolerance to added bacteria from the start, your budget, and how convenient you’d like your supplement to be within your daily schedule. Below are a few factors to consider when choosing between the best probiotic supplements for men.

Find Your Ideal Colony Forming Units

Each probiotic supplement will showcase a unique number of CFUs per serving, which refers to how many viable cells of bacteria are present in the formulation. (4) This number can vary from brand to brand, with typical doses ranging between one and 10 billion CFUs per serving.

How many CFUs you need can depend on your tolerance and digestive health, so it can be best to look for probiotics offering CFUs within this one to 10 billion range at the start. As you learn and grow accustomed to your body’s reaction to the supplement, you can explore higher doses — some can even reach as high as 100 billion CFUs per dose.

Consider Available Strains

There’s no shortage of bacteria strains out there, and many “good” bacteria can prove to be effective when trying to boost your microbiome’s wellness levels. Additionally, varying strains can lead to specific benefits, from improved digestion, to immune support, better aerobic endurance, and others. (4)

When deciding between probiotic supplements, take a look at the listed bacteria strains to see if the potential benefits align with your wants and needs. Additionally, many premium probiotics combine two or more strains in a single serving, adding to the potency and potential benefits you can see within a single dose.

Think About Storage Needs

To help retain their potency after their packaging has been opened some probiotics require extra care when it comes to storage. Oftentimes, this boils down to keeping your supplements in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator for optimal conditions. As such, it’s important to read the storage recommendations of your chosen supplement and accommodate those instructions accordingly. 

Choose Your Probiotic Form

Many of the best probiotics for men come in either a powder or capsule format. Whichever you choose, though, depends entirely on your convenience preferences. 

For those that don’t mind swallowing pills, or those that want a format more accommodating for travel, we recommend capsules. For those needing a little flavor in their supplementation, or who are pill-averse, powders can be a great option as well. There’s no real benefit to one or the other, so you can go with the format that suits your lifestyle best.

Look for Third-Party Testing

Like other supplements, probiotics are not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, finding a product carrying a third-party certification can be a quick way to assure that the formulation is accurate, trustworthy, and free of any banned substances.

We recommend opting for third-party-tested probiotics whenever possible, especially when it comes to athletes competing under specific governing agencies. Supplementing with probiotics carrying such certifications can make it easier to abide by your rules and regulations.

Set Your Budget

Naturally, your relationship with a supplement depends on how affordable it is within your personal budget. While probiotics aren’t the cheapest supplements on the market, there’s still a wide range of price points to choose from. Plus, we found plenty of worthwhile options that varied in costs from less than 35 cents per serving all the way up to over $2.50 per dose.

Be sure to look for a probiotic that fits conveniently into your budget day in and day out. You’ll be taking these supplements daily, after all, so if you can’t afford or justify spending the calculated price tag per serving, it may be best to go with one that’s easier on your wallet.

Final Word

Probiotics can be an excellent addition to any man’s supplement stack, offering benefits related to digestive health, immune support, energy levels, and mental clarity. While you’re capable of consuming enough gut-boosting microorganisms through your diet alone, these powders and capsules can be a convenient way to keep your gut flora in check on a daily basis.

When looking for the right probiotic supplement for your needs, be sure to take your present gut health and sensitivity into question before opting for a specific dose or bacteria strain. Every athlete has different tolerances, and going too heavy from the start can be counterproductive with side effects including gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort. (6) Be sure to do your research (i.e., follow our suggestions) as you venture into the world of “good” bacteria.

FAQs

References

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4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Office of dietary supplements – probiotics. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/
5. Lactobacillus acidophilus. Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/lactobacillus-acidophilus
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16. Jang, W. J., Lee, J. M., Hasan, M. T., Lee, B.-J., Lim, S. G., & Kong, I.-S. (2019). Effects of probiotic supplementation of a plant-based protein diet on intestinal microbial diversity, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal structure, and immunity in Olive Flounder (paralichthys olivaceus). Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 92, 719–727. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31271838/ 
17. Howell, L. (n.d.). What are the top 10 supplements in the U.S.?. American Pharmacists Association. https://www.pharmacist.com/Publications/Pharmacy-Today/Article/what-are-the-top-10-supplements-in-the-us 
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19. Metab, A. N. (2019, January 23). Beneficial Effects of Probiotic Consumption on the Immune System. Karger Publishers. https://karger.com/anm/article/74/2/115/52130/Beneficial-Effects-of-Probiotic-Consumption-on-the 
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21. Mayer, E. A., Nance, K., & Chen, S. (2021). The gut-brain axis. The Gut–Brain Axis. 
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23. Naghmouchi, K., Belguesmia, Y., Bendali, F., Spano, G., Seal, B. S., & Drider, D. (2020). lactobacillus fermentum: A bacterial species with potential for food preservation and biomedical applications. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 60(20), 3387–3399. 
24. Mu, Q., Tavella, V. J., & Luo, X. M. (2018). Role of lactobacillus reuteri in human health and diseases. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. 
25. Lactobacillus bulgaricus probiotic information. L. bulgaricus Probiotic Benefits & Side Effects – Probiotics.org. (n.d.). https://probiotics.org/lactobacillus-bulgaricus/ 
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27. Fujita, K., Matsushita, M., De Velasco, M. A., Hatano, K., Minami, T., Nonomura, N., & Uemura, H. (2022). The gut-prostate axis: A new perspective of prostate cancer biology through the gut microbiome. Cancers, 15(5), 1375. 
28. Tremellen, K., & Pearce, K. (2017, September 15). Probiotics to improve testicular function (andrology 5:439–444, 2017 … European Academy of Andrology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/andr.12400

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