Effects of Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus coagulans on physical health parameters in older men

Objective: Aging is commonly associated with a decline in immune function, hormonal imbalances, insomnia, constipation, erectile dysfunction, and general muscle weakness. To address these complex conditions, our study used probiotic therapy. Methods: We investigated the effects of two spore-forming probiotics, Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus coagulans , on health parameters in 126 men aged 48–64 years through a population-based intervention. Results: This intervention notably improved age-related conditions, particularly erectile function (measured by the Erectile Function Scale Index [EFSI]), bowel movement regularity, and sleep quality. Among 35 blood biochemical parameters, 19 showed significant changes post-treatment, including those related to immune response, hormone levels, inflammation, and lipid metabolism. Some blood parameters associated with probiotic treatment were identified using exploratory machine learning analysis. Conclusions: The results suggest that supplementation with C. butyricum and B. coagulans may be associated with improvements in certain age-related health parameters in older men.