One thing that I find rather shocking is that most guys experiencing a decline in bedroom performance generally have no idea that there are erectile supplements with solid research behind them and a good safety profile as well. Most males turn immediately to the PDE5 Inhibitors, Cialis, Levitra and Viagra, without even considering that there are much less expensive alternatives available that, in some cases, have been used by men for decades or even centuries.

The potential tragedy of this is that PDE5 inhibitors such as Cialis and Levitra are full of side effects and it is highly questionable that these can be used for decades without some sort of negative lasting effects. (See my link on The Side Effects of PDE5 Inhibitors for more details, especially regarding how PDE5 inhibitors often effect the eyes, ears and stomach.)

Science has shown us many inexpensive supplements that can help improve erectile dysfunction and significantly eliminate impotence very quickly, within a matter of a week or two in some cases. Furthermore, some of these supplements increase libido and my give a little boost to testosterone as well.

NOTE: If you have any medical condition or are on any medication, check with a doctor. In addition, always work with a doctor if you have erectile dysfunction - it is often a sign of heart disease.

Do you know the foods and drinks that increase erection-boosting Nitric Oxide? Check out the Peak Erectile Strength Diet where I show you how to dramatically and naturally improve your erectile strength.

1) Pycnogenol. Pycnogenol is a proprietary extract of a French maritime pine bark extract, whose remarkable powers have been known for over a century. Pycnogenol has been shown to stimulate the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) [15] which in turn stimulates Nitric Oxide production. Furthermore, research shows, which I document in my link on Pycnogenol and Erectile Dysfunction, that it is a supplement, when coupled with L-Arginine, that improves erectile strength and heals erectile dysfunction in around 75% of guys!

This is an incredible track record if you stop and think about it and, furthermore, the studies show no side effects. What a contrast with Viagra and Cialis!

You can do what was done in the studies by taking between about 50-150 mg of Pycnogenol, such as TwinLabs Pycnogenol Capsules, 50 Mg, 60-Count Bottle, along with about 1.5 grams daily of L-Arginine per L-Arginine (500mg). This is much less expensive than any of the PDE5 inhibitors and, again, there have been no reported side effects in any of the studies. [29]

Research has shown that pycnogenol also lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), raises good cholesterol (HDL), decreases inflammation and lowers blood pressure, which will very likely protect a guy from future erectile dysfunction as well. (High blood pressure and inflammation are both major risk factors for erectile dysfunction.) [4]

2) Korean Ginseng Ginseng is an erectile supplement, really an herb, that has been used literally for centuries. It's magical sexual powers come from its abilities to directly boost nitric oxide, a fact that has been verified in multiple animal and human studies. Furthermore, several studies have showed that it actually helps with erectile dysfunction and, as I document in my link on Ginseng and Erectile Strength, it improved the sex life of almost two thirds of men directly. It is also a libido booster and in some cases may boost testosterone as well. Some Ginseng brands are careless and have been found to be contaminated with lead and/or pesticides. Solgar, however, sells a Korean Ginseng that passed on all accounts in recent Consumer Labs testing: Solgar - Korean Ginseng Root Extract, 60 veggie caps .

3) Horny Goat Weed. Quite a name, huh? How are you going to explain that to the wife and kids? Well, I'll leave that up to you, but in the meantime grab some Horny Goat Weed (HGW) because it improves erectile dysfunction and impotence by increasing Nitric Oxide AND boosting libido. Horny Goat Weed contains a PDE5 inhibitor named Icariin that seems much more free of side effects than any of the existing pharmaceuticals. Horny Goat Weed is sometimes combined with Maca as in this formulation: Horny Goat Weed with Maca. For more information, read here about Horny Goat Weed.

When does low testosterone cause erectile dysfunction or harden your arteries? 300 ng/dl? 400? Find out what the studies say in Low Testosterone By The Numbers.

4) Prelox.. Prelox bills itself on its web site as the "first clinically proven natural sexual performance enhancer". Of course, there have been other herbs and supplements that have studies showing their ability to help eradicate erectile dysfunction and I put them on this page. But the Prelox people did go to the trouble of performing a legitimate trial and it's no wonder that it worked so well: it is simply a pre-packaged combination of Pycnogenol and Arginine. [25] You could buy these separately yourself of course, as I point out above and save a little money more than likely. Or, out of convenience, you can just buy Prelox and get everything in one pill: Prelox Natural Sex For Men.

5) Maca. Maca is not actually a direct erectile supplement, but I mention it here, because it has many studies (animal and human) that show it is agood, old fashioned - and legitimate - aphrodisiac. It probably doesn't directly improve erectile dysfunction or cure impotence, but is a good bedroom buddy nonetheless. Many guys struggle with passion and desire and this is where Maca excels. It also has the advantage of being consumed as a food for decades in South America and thus has a strong safety record. The "gold standard" brand is Navitas Organic "Gelatinized" Maca. Find out more detail in my Maca Link as well.

CONSIDER: Fish Oil. Fish Oil is not directly an erectile supplement, but I mention it here becuase one European study found that it helped endothelial function and nitric oxide output (in diabetic patients) and both of those are the stuff of erections. [14] Yet another study found that fish oil increased the elasticity of arteries, i.e. their "expandability". [26] Yes, we males want nice expandable blood vessels that allow blood to flow into the penis. Fish oil also protects against inflammation, a huge erection-fighter, and triglycerides, which will clog up penile arteries faster than you can say, "Pass the bacon." It may even optimize free testosterone while it's at it! For more information about fish and fish oil and how it benefits the heart and penis, please read The Many Benefits of Fish and Fish Oil here. CAUTION.: It's very easy to buy rancid fish oil, which will do more harm than good, and fish can have mercury and PCB's. Read my link on Fish and Fish Oil for how to consume your omega-3's safely.

CAUTION: Gingko. Gingko, like Pycnogenol, strengthens the activity of Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS), making it a viable erectile dysfunction supplement. [16] Furthermore, animal studies have shown that Gingko relaxes in a dose-dependent fashion arteries, including those all-important ones supplying blood to the penis.[17] Direct evidence that Gingko improves erectile dysfunction and impotence in a significant way is still lacking, but any herb that increases Nitric Oxide will help males struggling in this area. (This is an herb can be purchased inexpensively even in places like Wal Mart.) NOTE: Gingko Biloba is often tauted as improving erections in men with erectile dysfunction that had resulted from taking antidepressants. However, the studies have actually shown mixed results in this area. CAUTION: Care should be exercised with this supplement as Gingko thins the blood and has several drug interactions including NSAIDs and anticoagulants.

My 5 Top Erectile Supplements w/ solid research.

REFERENCES:

4) Phytotherapy Research 2002,16:1-5; Nutrition Research,2001,21:1251-1260;Nutrition Research, 2003,23: 1189-1198;Life Sciences,2004,74:855-862

5) J Urol 2002; 168:2070-3

6) Asian J Androl 2007;9(2):241-4

7) Intl Journ Cardio 2005 Feb 28, 98(3):413-9

8) Eur Heart Journ 2007 28(18):2249-2255

9) Urology 2004 Apr,63(4):641-646

10) Curr Med Res Opin, 2004 Sep,20(9):1377-1384

11) Amer Jour Clin Nutr, 2007 Sep,86(3):610-7

12) Amer Jour Cardio,2007 Aug 1,100(3):455-8

13) Am Jour Clin Nutr, Apr 2007, 85(4):1068-74

15) J Cardiovasc Pharmacol,1998,32:509-515

16) Hum Psychopharmacol,2002,17:279-284

17) Gen Pharmacol,1982,13:169-171;Gen Pharmacol,1982,13:225-230;Gen Pharmacol,1983,14:277-280

18) J Clin 17) Gen Pharmacol,1982,13:169-171;Gen Pharmacol,1982,13:225-230;Gen Pharmacol,1983,14:277-280

18) J Clin Endocrinol Metab,1991,73:4-7

19) Eur J Clin Nutr, 2008 Dec, 62(12):1426-31, Epub 2007, "Fish oil supplementation improves large arterial elasticity in overweight hypertensive patients", Wang, et. al.

20) Journal of Andrology, Sep/Oct 2008,(29):5

21) JAMA,2007,297:2351-2359932-40

24) Circulation, 1998 Jun 9, 97(22):2222-9

25) Intl J Impotence Res, 2008, 20:173-180

24) Circulation, 1998 Jun 9, 97(22):2222-9

225) Intl J Impotence Res, 2008, 20:173-180

26) Eur J Clin Nutr, 2008 Dec, 62(12):1426-31, Epub 2007, "Fish oil supplementa26) Eur J Clin Nutr, 2008 Dec, 62(12):1426-31, Epub 2007, "Fish oil supplementation improves large arterial elasticity in overweight hypertensive patients", Wang, et. al.

27) Journal of Chromatography A, 17 June 2005, 1078(1-2):196-200, "Determination of citrulline in watermelon rind"

28) Brit J Sports Med, Oct 2003, 37: 464–70. "The Ergogenic Effects of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack: A Pilot Study"

29) http://www.prelox.com/pdf/prelox_research.pdf

#1 Ranked Book in Amazon Kindle Store for Erectile Dysfunction!