Since a large part of erectile dysfunction is physical, it stands to follow that good nutrition is crucial to addressing this issue. Great nutrition is all about wise eating habits and choices. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get all the necessary nutrients by simply eating the right foods. Often times, supplementation is needed. Eating right to address or reduce risks for erectile dysfunction may require taking supplements for optimal penile health. The truth is, natural supplements, e.g., herbs have been used by African and Chinese cultures since time immemorial to address erectile issues. Compared to prescription medications for treating erectile dysfunction such as Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Viagra (sildenafil), supplements do not have extensive studies or trials to support their efficacy claims. The amount and type of active ingredients can vary between different erectile dysfunction supplements, as do their side effects.
Because supplements can be quite useful for addressing erectile dysfunction, here is a guide to choosing erectile dysfunction supplements:
Generally safe, with positive results from studies in people
➢ DHEA: There is some evidence showing its ability to address erectile dysfunction. Generally safe at low doses but has been reported to cause acne in some cases.
➢ L-arginine: There is some evidence establishing its ability to stimulate wider blood vessel opening to increase blood flow. In some cases, it has been reported to cause diarrhea, cramping, and nausea. Avoid taking it simultaneously with Viagra.
➢ Ginseng: Panax ginseng has been shown in one study to improve sexual function for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. This cream form applied topically may help prevent premature ejaculation. Although generally safe for short-term use, using Panax ginseng as a supplement may cause insomnia for some people
Studies in people with positive results but high risk
➢ Yohimbe: Some clinical studies have shown yohimbe to help improve erectile dysfunction brought on by antidepressant medications, but it has also been reported to cause relatively serious side effects in some people, such as anxiety, irregular heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure. As such, this supplement should only be taken with approval from a licensed physician
No significant studies on people
➢ Gingko: This herbal supplement has good potential to improve penile blood flow, but no solid evidence exists regarding its claims to effectively address erectile dysfunction. One potential side effect of this herbal supplement is the risk for bleeding.
➢ Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium): Although the leaves of this herb contain ingredients that are used for improved sexual performance, there are no established studies on people that support the belief in its efficacy. A bonus side effect of this herbal supplement is that it may help lower blood pressure.
Other Non-Recommended Herbal Alternatives
Many herbal products that claim to be “natural” Viagra proliferate on the market. The thing is, these products contain unknown amounts of powerful ingredients that are also found in their alleged synthetic counterparts and thus carry a high risk for unwanted side effects. In fact, some of these products actually contain the very drugs that their alleged synthetic counterparts have that require a doctor’s prescription to consume! In this case, it is best to be very cautious in taking “herbal” erectile dysfunction supplements from manufacturers that are not well known or do not have a good reputation in the market. Even if the FDA has banned such "herbal" supplements, they continue to proliferate illegally. Remember, it's not enough that manufacturers claim theirs are herbal - it's easy to fake such stuff. Because this is practically impossible for ordinary consumers like you and I to spot, it's best to stick with relatively more expensive brands of herbal supplements from well-established manufacturers. Being labeled "herbal" does not necessarily mean safe. Remember, they may be said to be safe as is, but some of them may react negatively if taken with other medications. As such, it's best to consult with a licensed physician first before taking such supplements for erectile dysfunction, especially when taking regular medications.
Online Buying Risks
With the proliferation of many online stores these days and the convenience shopping at such stores offers, it's no wonder many men choose to buy their supplements online. Be careful though - many supplements for erectile dysfunction sold online these days contain ingredients that require a prescription or worse, are unknown. Many men who buy erectile dysfunction supplements think these are safe because of the nice packaging. These are often labeled as "all-natural" or "safer than prescription drugs" but are just as effective. " The scary truth is often, the label tells a different story than the ingredients. What may be worse is that these supplements contain dangerous ingredients that are not on the label. In fact, the United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) – through its Internet and Health Fraud Division – conducted an online survey that revealed more than 1/3 of erectile dysfunction supplements purchased online contained prescription grade ingredients and other similar substances that were not disclosed.
Two of these ingredients are sildenafil and vardenafil (or substances similar to these), the active ingredients for Viagra and Levitra, respectively. If men who have issues with Viagra and Levitra take these supplements thinking they are safer than the two prescription drugs, they may be in for a rude awakening as they suffer from the side effects they are trying to avoid in the first place. What's more, even if men taking these supplements have no issues with Viagra or Levitra, they may find that it is safe for them to take Viagra or Levitra. It is possible that they suffer adverse side effects if they are taking medications that do not mix well with the active ingredients of the 2 prescription drugs that are not disclosed in the supplement. For example, if a man is taking a prescription medication that contains nitrates, taking a supplement that unknowingly contains sildenafil (an active ingredient in Viagra) could bring his blood pressure dangerously low. Nitrates are a common ingredient in prescription medications that are used to treat or manage heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes and, coincidentally, men who are being treated for these conditions are also more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.
Here is a list of supplements sold in the market that allegedly treat erectile dysfunction and improve sexual performance. This is by no means a comprehensive list. ➢ 4Everon ➢ Actra-rx ➢ Actra-SX ➢ Adam Free ➢ Blue Steel ➢ Energy Max ➢ Arrextra ➢ Hero ➢ HS Joy of Love ➢ Lady Shangai ➢ Libidus ➢ Liviro 3 ➢ Lycium barbarum L. chaojimengnan ➢ shanghai ultra ➢ shanghai ultra x ➢ strong testicles ➢ super shanghai ➢ true man ➢ v.max ➢ vigor-25 ➢ Xiadafil VIP Tablets (Lot 6K029 and 6K209-Sei only) ➢ yilishen ➢ zimaxxx
Non-oral Solutions for Erectile Dysfunction
Until recently, medical or complementary treatments for erectile dysfunction were taken orally. Although they can work well for many men, there are some men who are not predisposed to the ingredients of such drugs or supplements, especially those who take prescription medications that contain nitrates. Oral treatments can also have side effects that can negate the erection benefits offered. Now, non-oral treatments are available for erectile dysfunction as an alternative to oral treatments. They vary in efficacy and side effects.
To help you sift through them, here's a list of the most popular topical solutions for erectile dysfunction:
➢ Androgel: Many cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by low testosterone levels. One of the most popular ways to address this deficiency is testosterone replacement, but technically, it doesn't help men with normal levels of testosterone and those suffering from erectile dysfunction. Testosterone can also be delivered by skin application via Androgel — testosterone in a gel. Some potential side effects to note are emotional instability, acne, and headaches.
➢ Alprostadil: This type of topical solution is classified as a vasodilator, substances that can help blood vessels expand and improve blood flow. Since erectile dysfunction is physically a blood flow issue, alprostadil is used to treat erectile dysfunction and is administered via injection directly into the penis or suppository insertion into the urethra. It has an efficacy rate of about 80%. There are no known side effects. Alprostadil is also available as a topically applied solution, sparing men from penile scarring, bleeding, and bruising. Trials have confirmed that it helps most erectile dysfunction cases with minimal and tolerable side effects.
