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Cosmopolitan
5 days ago
- Health
- Cosmopolitan
Everything you need to know about the best probiotics for women
Probiotics – many of us have heard about them, but how many of us actually know anything about them? While we bet you've seen more Yakult adverts than you can count, the reality is that a lot of us are pretty clueless when it comes to probiotics, including what they are and how taking them regularly can benefit our health. With that in mind, we set out to dig deep into the world of probiotics to answer your burning bacteria questions and find the best probiotics for women, according to experts. So, here's everything you need to know about the best probiotics for women, plus how to shop for probiotics and the best ones to buy... "Probiotics are live microorganisms that act as proxies (substitutes) for the beneficial bacteria in our gut and help to support microbiome balance and thus health, when consumed in adequate amounts," explains Adrienne Benjamin, gut health nutritionist at ProVen Biotics. "Our gastrointestinal tract contains trillions of bacteria, known as our gut microbiome, which starts to form at birth and is fully established by around three years of age," she adds. "The microbiome structure then remains relatively consistent throughout our lives, but everyday factors, such as stress, illness, and medications, can disrupt this balance and the diversity of strains." "People often turn to probiotics to help support and restore balance in their gut bacteria, especially after antibiotics, illness, or periods of stress or travel," Benjamin tells us. "Probiotics can help rebalance the microbiome, potentially reducing bloating, diarrhoea, and other digestive issues," adds intimate health and women's health expert, Dr Shirin Lakhani. "But their benefits go beyond the gut — emerging evidence suggests they can play a role in supporting the immune system, reducing inflammation, improving skin conditions like acne or eczema, and even enhancing mood and mental wellbeing." "Probiotics can help with a wide range of health concerns — both digestive and beyond," Dr Lakhani explains. "Most people know them for easing gut-related symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhoea, particularly after antibiotic use or during digestive disorders like IBS." "They can also support immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve how we respond to infections," she continues. "The key is understanding that not all probiotics do the same thing – different strains have different roles, so targeted use is essential." To that end, Benjamin adds that "recent research has identified links between the gut and other organs and systems in the body – for example, the gut-brain axis, the gut-lung axis, and the gut-skin axis – and has shown how supporting gut microbiome balance and diversity with probiotics can support conditions related to these organs and systems, such as mood, skin issues and respiratory conditions." "Probiotics occur naturally in fermented foods like live yoghurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, and drinks like kefir and kombucha," says Benjamin. "Including these in our daily food and drink intake can help to support the microbiome, although the types and amounts of bacteria in these products are generally not defined and can vary." "For women specifically, probiotics can help maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome by keeping pH levels balanced and preventing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria," says Dr Lakhani. "This can reduce the incidence of common issues like thrush, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections." The expert goes on: "There's also emerging research suggesting probiotics may support hormonal balance, skin health — especially in conditions like acne or rosacea — and even help with symptoms related to menopause or PMS. But it's important to note that the benefits are strain-specific, so choosing the right product for your needs is key." Adding to that, Benjamin explains that probiotics can support women throughout the stages of our lives. "As well as supporting digestion, our gut microbiome has a central role in immunity, mood, skin health, and metabolism, and is vital in supporting hormone balance, all of which impact the many stages of a woman's life and the shifts she experiences from menstruation to pregnancy to menopause," the expert says. "When a girl reaches puberty, the gut microbiome has a number of specific roles in regulating hormone production and certain species of gut bacteria influence oestrogen and other hormones and can impact the menstrual cycle," Benjamin explains, adding: "Microbiome imbalance can contribute to inflammation and it is important to maintain a healthy gut during child-bearing years. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, bacteria and prebiotic oligosaccharides pass from a mum to her baby via the placenta and breastmilk." She goes on, "Many menopause-related issues are closely linked to the microbiome and gut health, including energy production, mood, weight, and hormonal balance, and research is also now linking specific symptoms, such as vaginal atrophy, itching, and dryness." "The best probiotics for women often include Lactobacillus strains, particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as Bifidobacterium strains, like Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium lactis," Dr Lakhani tells us. "These strains are beneficial for vaginal and urinary tract health, as well as gut health in general." "If you're buying probiotics for the first time, there are a few key things to keep in mind," notes Dr Lakhani. "First, make sure the label lists the full strain names — not just the species — because different strains do different things, and you want one that's backed by research for your specific concern, whether it's digestion, immunity, or vaginal health." "Check the CFU count (that's the number of live bacteria); aim for at least 1 to 10 billion per serving," she adds. "Look for products that guarantee potency up to the expiry date — not just at the time of manufacture — and check whether it needs to be stored in the fridge." Dr Lakhani goes on, "Ideally, choose a product with a delivery system (like a delayed-release capsule) that protects the bacteria from being destroyed by stomach acid. And finally, scan the ingredients list to avoid unnecessary fillers, sugars, or allergens. If you're unsure, choose a probiotic specifically formulated for women's health, or ask a healthcare professional for guidance." "We [at ProVen Biotics] recommend that probiotics are taken daily for a minimum of two weeks, as it can take this time to start to see the benefits," says Benjamin. "Ideally they would be taken for at least 6-8 weeks following a course of antibiotics or some other gut issue, and they can be taken daily long-term to support ongoing digestive and immune health." "Yes, probiotics are most effective when taken daily," agrees Sarah Campus, PT, nutrition coach, and founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS. "They don't permanently stay in your gut, as they get passed away in your stool so consistent use helps to maintain their benefits, such as supporting digestion, immune health, and gut balance. If you stop taking them, their effects may gradually wear off." "Yes, probiotics can be taken daily and long-term, although I would again emphasise the need to look for research-backed strains with guarantees of safety and certified manufacturing processes," Benjamin advises. "In addition, if you have any serious conditions or are under the care of a medical professional, we always recommend checking with them before taking any supplement." "Probiotics are suitable for most people, from newborn babies to children and older adults, although again, check the research behind the products and ensure they are suitable for the age and needs of the individual," advises Benjamin. "If you're managing a serious medical condition or are immunocompromised, always consult your GP first." "Some people may experience bloating, gas, changes in stool consistency and regularity, and other mild symptoms such as headaches and fatigue, in the first few days as their gut adjusts — this is a temporary and positive sign that the probiotics are starting to work," says Benjamin, with Campus agreeing: "Minor side effects like gas or bloating can occur at first but usually go away as your body gets used to [the probiotics]." "It's not necessary for most healthy individuals, but we recommend that you speak with your health provider if you are pregnant, on long-term medication, or managing a health condition," notes Benjamin. "Always take probiotics alongside food, with a cold drink, as heat will destroy the bacteria," Benjamin points out. "If you are taking them alongside antibiotics, always take the probiotics at least two hours away from each antibiotic dose. Otherwise, probiotics are safe and easy to take and there are generally no restrictions." To that end, Dr Lakhani reminds us that: "Probiotics are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to women's health." "Supporting a healthy microbiome also involves a balanced diet rich in fibre, staying hydrated, managing stress, and getting enough sleep," she says. "Probiotics can help maintain vaginal and gut health, but lifestyle factors play a big role too." This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Be rowdy at Double Dashi, a speakeasy-style noodle bar in Chennai, serving yakitori and yakult mocktails
A cat in a kimono, its face lit up with glee and brandishing a pair of chopsticks over a giant bowl of ramen stares down at us in Double Dashi, Chennai's newest noodle joint. Seated in a room bathed in a luminous neon red haze, we spot a fish cake, chopsticks and an exaggerated bamboo sushi rolling mat on the ceiling. The wall beside us is plastered with posters of every Japanese anime you've heard of, as well as posters of Rajinikanth films, which has a cult following in Japan. Japanese restaurants that offer a fine-dining experience are many in the city. However, Double Dashi's postered walls and neon lights scream an entirely different vibe. 'Our idea was to create a 'rowdy' Japanese restaurant here; not someplace where everyone comes in for early dinner and behaves well. We wanted loud chatter and laughter, glasses clinking, a chill vibe and everything else that feels like an Izakaya,' says Manoj Padmanabhan, co-founder BORN (Beyond Ordinary Restaurants and Nosh). Crediting his many visits to Japan over the years and his family there, Manoj and Japtej Ahluwalia, his partner at BORN began to think of putting together an affordable Japanese dining experience, with good ingredients and generous portion sizes. 'Dashi' means a broth that enhances the umami flavour in Japanese food and naming it Double Dashi feels fair, given its location, of which there is not much secrecy but some intrigue. 'We aren't hidden per se, but decided not to actively put ourselves out there on Google Maps. We would love for people to simply land up here, or stumble upon the place,' Japtej laughs. The beverage menu has two Japanese favourites; Yakult and matcha and we pick probiotics over grass. The bubble trouble, a lychee flavoured icy drink comes topped with a bottle of Yakult and is light and refreshing. There are other inventive mocktails including fruity drinks topped with cheese foam, and iced teas. There is no sushi on the menu. Instead, there's sashimi(salmon flown in from Mumbai), ramen and fresh salads. We begin with a leafy, crisp Tokyo green salad, perfect if you want a light, healthy start minus a creamy dressing. We move onto the yakitori or grilled skewers, which Manoj says are made on a traditional charcoal stove. We sample some bite-sized juicy pieces of chicken coated in a slightly sweet soy glaze which is cooked to perfection, and a crunchy miso broccoli which could have done with a bolder kick of flavour. If you aren't a spice fiend, the Temaki tacos are a perfect pick. Try the mildly seasoned salmon aburi taco where crisp seaweed is stuffed with salmon, avocado and a yuzu kosho cream. The pièce de résistance for our meal is the katsu curry rice. This generous portion that can comfortably serve two comes with crispy fried chicken cutlets on a bed of sticky rice and Double Dashi's house Japanese curry. You can eat this as is, or enhance it with a generous splash of soy sauce or a sprinkling of togarashi powder from the many condiments on your table. The menu has both comforting ramen favourites, and some offbeat options like a Madras paaya ramen, which is a fun take on local idiappam. Try the creamy pork broth, and the hearty beef drip ramen, which arrive steaming hot to our table with a generous squiggle of bouncy noodles and delicate slices of meat. In-between bites of a miso caramel cheesecake, we realise that the posters on the wall are not just of anime; there are Japanese posters of Muthu, Kaithi and even Thug Life. Manoj and Japtej credit their 'Gen Z' marketing team for Double Dashi's quirky branding and art that is splashed across their menus, coasters, stickers on the tables and even the specially designed merchandise. 'We also plan to introduce a supper club, where regulars who visit Double Dashi can get a stamp card and collect stamps. Once they collect a certain number, they will have access to these curated dinners and pop-ups where we hope to have chefs from other restaurants coming in,' Japtej says. For now, as the world continues to travel in hordes to East-Asia, and simply can't seem to get enough of anime or steaming hot bowls of ramen, Double Dashi seems to know its niche very well. Their early guests include not just people from the Japanese consulate down the road, but members of an anime club from the city as well. Manoj says 'We had fun creating the space, and it is now upto our young diners to make the space their own.' For reservations, DM @doubledashi on Instagram
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Donating to charity? The arts need your support too
Not just the state, but all of us have a role to play on this stage. What do we need to do to inspire more people from all walks of life to donate? 'Can use culture pass to buy Yakult?' So goes a comment from the HardwareZone forum on a government arts incentive – the SG Culture Pass. This gives every Singapore citizen aged 18 and above $100 worth of credits to spend on arts and cultural events – but unfortunately for the commenter, not cultured drinks.
The Mainichi
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Baseball: Yakult reiterates support for Murakami's potential MLB move
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Yakult Swallows reiterated Wednesday they will grant star slugger Munetaka Murakami's wish to play in the major leagues if he decides to make the move. "We will apply (for the move via the posting system) if he says he wants to go," said Tetsuya Hayashida, president of the Central League club. Yakult has promised Murakami will be posted after this season, the final year of his three-year contract. But the 25-year-old third baseman has played only one game in 2025 due to an upper body injury, so the focus will be on whether he will try to make the move next year. In 2022, Murakami became the youngest Triple Crown winner in Japanese baseball history at age 22 when he batted .318 with 56 home runs and 134 RBIs. He hit a solo home run in Japan's 3-2 win over the United States in the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Scientific American
20-06-2025
- Health
- Scientific American
Testosterone Therapy Is Booming. But Is It Actually Safe?
As more men turn to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for energy, mood and muscle, experts warn the risks are still not fully understood. By , Stephanie Pappas, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura This episode was made possible by the support of Yakult and produced independently by Scientific American 's board of editors. Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American 's Science Quickly, I'm Rachel Feltman. Whether it's framed as a cure-all for fatigue and low libido or a shortcut to gaining muscle mass, testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, is all over the Internet these days. But how much of the hype is actually backed by science? On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Here to help us make sense of the testosterone boom is Stephanie Pappas, a freelance reporter based in Colorado. Stephanie recently covered the growing popularity—and availability—of TRT for Scientific American. Thanks so much for coming on to chat. Stephanie Pappas: Thank you. Feltman: So you recently wrote about testosterone replacement therapy for Scientific American. For folks who are not on the right part of the Internet to have heard all about this—or maybe staying off the wrong parts [laughs] of the Internet, depending on your perspective—what's going on with TRT right now? Pappas: Well, testosterone replacement therapy has become extremely popular. It has been something that's been in the background for many, many years. Synthetic testosterone was first invented in 1935, but for a long, long time people thought that testosterone replacement, if it was used for any kind of symptoms men might be having, that it could cause prostate cancer. And then it was believed, perhaps, it could cause heart disease or cardiovascular events like a stroke or a heart attack. As it turns out the last few years we found that it doesn't really cause these really serious events. However, a lot less is known about the long-term health impacts. People are really flocking to TRT largely as a result of word of mouth. There are a lot of private clinics that offer this out of pocket, so you don't have to have an insurance company agree that you need it. And people on social media are using it for just a litany of different symptoms, and it can be anything from muscle-building to fatigue to mood problems and irritability, and it's kind of being pitched as a cure-all for a lot of different things. Feltman: And what evidence is there for the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, maybe starting with people who actually have low testosterone? Pappas: Yeah, so there is such a thing as low testosterone. No one exactly agrees on what the cutoff is, and probably that's because there's a lot of variability in our hormones—like, anyone who's ever tried any sort of hormone treatment, including birth control or HRT [hormone replacement therapy], can tell you that people respond really differently. So for men who really do have low testosterone, the evidence suggests that you can see some benefits in mood if you have major depression. You may see some improvements in energy. The most well-established result from the studies of TRT is that you'll probably see a little boost in libido if you have low testosterone and you now start taking TRT, and that's because testosterone works in the brain to increase sexual desire. Feltman: Hmm. Pappas: For men who don't have low testosterone, which are many of the men who are now getting treatment, the evidence for benefits is much, much lower. We don't know if you really see much besides additional muscle-building abilities. Feltman: And what are the potential downsides? You mentioned that one of the reasons there's such a boom right now is that research has showed that the connection to prostate cancer is not concerning the way we once thought it was. But what about other issues that can come up when you don't have low testosterone and you start taking a bunch of testosterone? Pappas: Right, so if you are taking a testosterone supplement, your body actually shuts down its own testosterone production. There's this neat little feedback loop that says, 'Oh, if the testosterone's high in the blood, we're going to just kind of ramp it down.' And a side effect of that is, actually, because testosterone is involved in sperm production, your body will also stop producing sperm. So as more younger men turn to TRT, we are seeing that men who are interested in still having children are finding they're losing their fertility. Oftentimes men are told, 'Oh, you'll recover it once you stop.' But that can actually be slow and complicated, so urologists in the field often see men who aren't understanding why they're not, you know, able to get their partner pregnant, and they may have tried for quite some time. Feltman: Right, and, you know, not that this is the reason that's upsetting, but there is also kind of an irony there because a lot of the marketing is sort of stereotypical masculinity, so it's not surprising that people are caught off guard by that potential downside. Pappas: Yes, absolutely. They are really marketing this—if you go, you can see it on billboards or online—these ads are all about muscles, they're about machoism. And oftentimes the reports from some of these freestanding clinics is that men are not being told all the information about all the side-effect possibilities. Feltman: When you say that regaining fertility after these treatments can be complex and slow, could you walk us through what you mean by that? Pappas: Sure, because your own testosterone levels and sperm production drop, you're going to have to, usually, get off the testosterone. That can really lead to a hormone crash; since your body is, really, at that point in quite low testosterone, you may feel irritable, you may feel fatigue. So you're gonna have to go through that—a bit of a roller coaster. Doctors will prescribe some medications that can help even out your levels and help encourage your body to start producing its own sperm again. That can take some time; it can be a little expensive. Urologists can help you, though. But they do say that they are concerned that men have a, often, too rosy picture of what that's gonna look like. It can take up to two years to recover full fertility, there's kind of an unknown as to whether sperm quality will be quite as high as it was beforehand. And as anyone who's trying to have kids knows, two years can be quite a while when you're dealing with fertility problems. Feltman: Yeah, so let's talk some more about those freestanding clinics. You know, in addition to TRT, you know, being more in demand and more in the conversation, it also seems like it's more accessible than ever, so what are some of the sort of concerning characteristics of these clinics that are popping up? Pappas: Well, you don't wanna paint all clinics with the same brush ... Feltman: Sure. Pappas: Because there is a wide variety of care out there. So it can be any provider that can prescribe—because testosterone is a controlled substance—but they may not really be running you through a full workup, as a urologist or an endocrinologist affiliated with a practice or a hospital system might do. The recommendations from professional societies suggest you get two testosterone tests on different days because testosterone levels swing wildly. I could not find anyone who'd reported to me that they'd gotten two tests. I can't say that there aren't clinics that do it. Typically you're gonna get one test. Typically they are motivated to prescribe what they can to you. The problem, often, is that because of this long-term fear around testosterone, is that many primary care doctors are nervous about prescribing it or don't feel that they've been trained. I spoke to one man who, actually, his doctor said, 'Yes, your testosterone is undeniably low, but I don't know what to do about it. Maybe just go to one of these clinics, and they can help you.' His experience in that clinic, unfortunately, was that they kind of gave him a generic prescription, did not really test through his levels, didn't really talk through, you know, alternative treatments or other things he might look at doing. So he felt his loss and he ended up looking on Reddit for advice, which, as we all know [laughs], is a real hit-and-miss proposition ... Feltman: Sure. Pappas: So men are often kind of left searching for their own information, and they may not have good sources of information. Feltman: And the experts that you spoke to, what do they wanna see change about the way we're treating TRT? Pappas: The first step is that a lot of physicians who specialize in hormone replacement therapy for men would like to see more awareness among primary care physicians and other doctors that men might go to, because if they could coordinate that care in a really responsible way, there are probably many men who could benefit: they do have low testosterone but haven't ever thought about being tested. And then the other side of this is just patient education. If you're going to consider going to a clinic, don't just go somewhere that will happily hand you a prescription. Really look for someone who is going to sit down with you, who is going to talk through lifestyle changes, who's going to look at alternative problems. So one doctor I spoke to said, 'The first thing we do is we look for sleep apnea in our patients. If we can cure that, oftentimes we don't need to look at their testosterone levels again.' And don't be in a rush to walk out that first day with a prescription that might be too high for you and might lead to side effects like acne, or another side effect you can see is an overgrowth of red blood cells that can lead you to need to have to donate blood every month to keep that in normal range. Look for something that's not going to cause the side effects that can really affect your life in the long term. Feltman: Sure, well, thank you so much for coming on to talk us through your feature. I really appreciate it. Pappas: Thank you so much. Feltman: That's all for today's episode. You can read Stephanie's full story on TRT in the July/August issue of Scientific American. We'll be back next week with something special: a three-part miniseries on bird flu. From avian influenza's wild origins to its spread across U.S. farms to the labs trying to keep it from becoming the next pandemic, this looming public health threat has a lot of moving parts, but we'll get you all caught up. Science Quickly is produced by me, Rachel Feltman, along with Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Naeem Amarsy and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check our show. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Subscribe to Scientific American for more up-to-date and in-depth science news.
