The Best Probiotics for Women and Men: A Senior’s Guide to Gut Health and Vitality

Throughout every stage of life, the body experiences changes all over. These changes are usually more noticeable physically, but a common area for aging adults is gut health. The gut isn’t just a container of connections that digests food; it serves as the main focus of nutrient absorption and delivery, and may help to play a role in the body’s inflammatory response and immunity. 

When it comes to gut health, staying on top and ahead of the game is paramount for any adult, but especially for the aging body. The content ahead is a guide on gut health, what it means to have good digestion, and some suggestions in regard to probiotics to help the digestion process along the way. 

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are a collection of specialized bacterial colonies that have been gaining interest in the wellness industry for years now. Probiotics are known as the good bacteria that live in the gut and digestive tract, and we add these to our diet to potentially help in a variety of ways. The gut contains a massive network of powerful bacteria that play a role in nutrient metabolism and support a healthy environment. Studies show adding probiotics to the diet, whether from foods or through supplements, may have a role in the gut’s overall microbiota in older adults.

The most common strains of probiotics often include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces, and they can be found in various foods and supplements. These healthy bacterial strains are measured based on how they colonize. For this, probiotics have a common unit of measure called Colony Forming Units, or CFU.  The higher the CFU in each dose, it means there is more bacterial bioavailability per dose. 

How Can Probiotics Affect Digestion?

One common reason that older adults shift towards probiotics is to possibly aid in the body’s digestion process. Throughout the aging process, digestion, gut motility, and metabolism tend to slow, which may contribute to a variety of side effects. In addition, throughout aging, the gut may experience a decline in bacterial diversity, meaning the gut’s flora could be at risk of lacking the important strains needed to optimize the gut’s wellness. Without a wide variety of microbiota, nutrient absorption may be affected. Here are some potential elements that may affect how the gut responds to probiotics and how older adults can add them to a wellness program. 

• After antibiotics. It’s bound to happen at some point in life, but if you need to go on a course of antibiotics to clear an infection, post-course probiotics may help reset the gut flora. The best probiotics for women and men may support the body’s ability to regenerate the good bacteria in the gut and reset the overall flora for continued wellness. 
• Promotes gut strength. Invading compounds that settle in the gut may compromise the gut’s lining, leading to potential illness. Adding probiotics may help to support the gut lining integrity and promote continued immune protection. 
• Supports adaptive and innate immunity. A powerful resource for probiotics for men involves the interaction of probiotics with immunity. Studies demonstrate that intestinal microflora modulates the immune system and its components, including immune cells, for continued support at any time of year. 

The Role of Proper Nutrient Absorption for Immune Health

When it comes to any part of wellness, it is vital to have the tools needed to maintain its functional capacity. Nutrients are vital to maintaining this capacity and it starts with proper absorption. A great deal of nutrient absorption and metabolism occurs in the gut, which is where food is processed and vitamins and minerals are sent to the body for further support. Maintaining a healthy gut flora may help to support this process and allow for nutrients needed to support vital parts of life, such as immunity. 

For older adults, maintaining optimal immune wellness is important for longevity, and the following nutrients may help to support this process. 

• Important vitamins: Vitamins A, B-complex, C, and D3 for various roles in immune support. Vitamins play the role as cofactors in many chemical reactions and may help to support immune health at any time of year. 
• Minerals: Folate, zinc, selenium, iron, and manganese may help to support adaptive and innate immunity. These minerals are often found in immune formulas in various products and may promote the detection of foreign compounds, illness, and support immunity. 
• Antioxidants: Antioxidants, flavonoids, and naturally occurring compounds that can be found in fruits and vegetables for continued cellular support. Antioxidants protect cells throughout the body by attacking and neutralizing free radicals. 

Food Sources of Probiotics 

The foods you eat each and every day can help to regularly deliver probiotics. Natural sources of probiotics typically include perishable foods, fermented, and are commonly a part of a regular diet. Some natural sources of probiotics include:

• Yogurt 
• Kefir
• Tempeh and fermented soy
• Sauerkraut 
• Kimchi
• Aged cheeses and fermented milk
• Cottage cheese
• Sourdough 

However, when standard foods aren’t consumed within the diet, consider foods that have added probiotics.  Consider these options to get more natural probiotics in your diet.

• Kombucha
• Carbonated drinks with added cultures and inulin 
• Tepache

Probiotic Supplements for Women and Men’s Gut Health 

The diet should be a standard option for delivering probiotics to the gut, as these options also contain antioxidants and compounds not typically included in a supplement.  However, the drawback to some of these foods is that the amount of bacteria per serving is unknown, and not every individual likes to eat these foods. While finding a balance with your diet is vital for establishing gut health for any older adult, consider the best probiotics for women and men ahead.

The Best Probiotics for Women

• Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Women’s Shelf-Stable: Known for working closely with experts in nutrition, medicine, and science, Garden of Life offers high-quality products for extraordinary health. Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Women’s Shelf-Stable contains 16 probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, for immune, vaginal, and digestive health support. 
• Country Life Core Daily 1 For Women 50 +: At Country Life, integrity is the number one ingredient when it comes to products. Country Life Core Daily 1 For Women 50 + contains over 30 raw whole foods, B-vitamins to support energy balance, and probiotics for gut health. This blend is designed for women over 50 years old and uniquely supplies a urinary tract blend cranberry plus, whole food fruit blend, and Sharp PS Gold phospholipid DHA conjugate for continued support. 
• Vital Planet Vital Flora Women 55+ Probiotic + Prebiotics Shelf Stable: Vital Planet is dedicated to providing the most nourishing ingredients, manufacturing them under the most stringent of standards. Vital Planet Vital Flora Women 55+ Probiotic + Probiotics Shelf Stable supplies a unique ratio of the best probiotics for women, including more Lacto bacteria for vaginal health. 

The Best Probiotics for Men

• Vital Planet Vital Flora Men 55+ Daily Probiotic + Prebiotics Shelf Stable: Formulated for men over 55, Vital Planet Vital Flora Men 55+ Daily Probiotic + Prebiotics Shelf Stable supplies 60 billion live cultures with 60 different strains, headlined by Lacto and Bifidobacteria. With seven different prebiotic ingredients, this formula is designed for gut and immune health support at any time of the year. 
• Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Prostate + Shelf-Stable: The aging body may require more support for urinary tract and prostate health. Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Prostate + Shelf Stable is formulated with older men in mind. It supplies Flowens organic cranberry powder that is specifically designed to support prostate health, as well as 50 billion CFUs in every serving.  
• SFI Health Ther-Biotic Senior Formula Probiotic 25 Billion CFU: Designed for men over 60, SFI Health is dedicated to supporting a balanced and diverse microbiota for complete wellness. SFI Health Ther-Biotic Senior Formula Probiotic 25 Billion CFU supplies 10 species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium to promote a variety of gut microbiota. 

Conclusion

Gut health is paramount to longevity, wellness, and maintaining immune health. The addition of probiotics to the diet, whether by a natural diet or with supplements, may help to support various aspects of gut health.  Older adults can look to various supplements from the Professional Supplement Center to help support daily wellness when the diet does not cover the required dietary need.

FAQs

How often should older adults take probiotics?

While most probiotics for men and women are formulated to be for daily use, older adults should consult with a healthcare provider to ensure optimal safety and frequency.

What is the best time of day to take probiotic supplements?

Probiotics can be taken at any time of the day, but with food and early in the day is a common way to consume these types of supplements.

Do all probiotics need refrigeration?

Not all probiotics need to be refrigerated, but it is always best to carefully read the package label or insert to ensure proper storage.