Erectile Supplements
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.
1) L-Citrulline. Citrulline is the new wonder supplement on the block. The
beauty of Citrulline is that even small amounts will increase baseline nitric
oxide levels, especially in men with endothelial dysfunction. This is absolutely
critical, because most middle-aged and beyond men with erection-related issues are
in this catgory. Viagra and Cialis often will not work for them, because they
simply do not have enough nitric oxide produced by their arteries and vessels
for these medications to act upon.
For this reason many men seem to be findin Citrulline downright miraculous,
restoring morning and/or daytime erections. Furthermore, there is now a study
showing that this supplement
significantly increases hardness factor for many men with erectile dysfunction.
L-Citrulline is typically sold in 1 gram tablets and men will take 1-2 grams
daily:
Source Naturals L-Citrulline 1000mg.
For more information, see this link on
The Benefits of L-Citrulline.
2) Icariin Extact. Icariin, the chief phytochemical in Horny Goat Weed,
gives this herb its erectile superpowers. Viagra and Cialis are PDE5 Inhibitors
and Icariin is one as well. It is significantly less powerful than Viagra
and Cialis but the 10+% extracts give a significant dosage and generally with
many less side effects. Icariin also has antioxidant and other properties
that seem to give it actual healing properties. Many men have had excellent
results with products such as
Source Naturals Horny Goat Weed Extract (Epimedium) 1000mg
,
which has 10% Icariin. For additional information, see this link on
Icariin for more information.
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.
3)
Korean Ginseng 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
.
4) 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.
5)
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]
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.
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supplementation improves large arterial elasticity in overweight hypertensive
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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
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supplementa26) Eur J Clin Nutr, 2008 Dec, 62(12):1426-31, Epub 2007, "Fish oil
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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