Potent remedies that treat erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, also called impotence, is far less simple and straightforward than it seems. More a complication than an actual condition, it occurs as an offshoot of diabetes in a large number of men. A study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine investigated the effects of water extracts from two herbs — Hunteria umbellata and Cylicodiscus gabunensis – on Type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction that occurs because of it.
According to statistics, about five percent of men above the age of 40 have erectile dysfunction. In men aged 70, this percentage increases to 15. Although these cases aren’t all connected to diabetes – erectile dysfunction may also result from cardiovascular disease, hormone problems, bad habits, and other factors – diabetic men are more likely to develop impotence than their peers who do not have the disease.
Diabetes is a global epidemic. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in the United States alone, more than 100 million adults have either diabetes or prediabetes. This figure is expected to rise in the coming years.
Diabetes is a disease characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels. It is a chronic disease that, if left uncontrolled, damages different parts of the body and causes various conditions. Some of these complications, as in the case of cardiovascular disease, can be life-threatening. Others, such as erectile dysfunction, can seriously affect a patient’s quality of life.
Chemical medications are used as the go-to conventional treatment for diabetes, but these drugs are known to cause a variety of side effects. For this reason, researchers are turning to nature for safer alternatives that can treat not just diabetes, but also its many complications.
The authors of the study wanted to know if H. umbellate (HU) and C. gabunensis (CG) had potential as a treatment for both Type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction. They obtained aqueous extracts from the two plants and tested their effects on arginase and phosphodiesterase-5, two enzymes linked to erectile dysfunction. They also examined how the extracts affected alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, two enzymes linked to Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, they examined the extracts’ phenolic constituents, as well as their antioxidant activity.
They found that while the extracts from both HU and CG had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on all enzymes, it was the former that produced the most pronounced results. By suppressing the effects of these enzymes, the extracts can help lower one’s blood sugar levels, as well as stimulate erections.
Antioxidant assays confirmed the extracts’ ability to scavenge free radicals, molecules that damage the cells and cause various health conditions. Analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid and quercetin in both extracts.
The authors concluded that these findings proved that the extracts from both HU and CG can benefit people with either or both Type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction. They emphasized that the herbs could be used as a cheap and natural alternative to chemical medications currently administered to patients.
Habits that raise the risk of erectile dysfunction
It’s not just diabetes that can increase the likelihood of men developing erectile dysfunction. These habits can, as well:
• Eating canned foods – A diet that contains a lot of canned items may lead to erectile dysfunction. This is because a lot of cans, particularly those that hold tomatoes and beans, are lined with bisphenol-A (BPA). In men, this substance can mess with hormones, contributing to the risk of impotence.
• Biking – Riding a bike more than three hours a week can compress the nerves and blood vessels in the area between the penis and anus, possibly leading to impotence. To address the problem, one can use leather bike seats instead of plastic ones.
• Not brushing – Gum disease can cause bacteria to travel through the bloodstream. These pathogens may combine with plaque in blood and clog blood vessels, even the ones in the penis. This will prevent blood from entering the penis and causing an erection.
Three natural remedies that treat erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction’s effects go beyond sexual satisfaction, influencing even its sufferers’ quality of life, relationships, and risk for psychological problems like depression. Although there are medications to address the problem, homeopathic treatments are seen as a safer option because of their effectiveness and lack of adverse side effects.
In its loosest definition, erectile dysfunction is simply the inability to get or sustain an erection. Oftentimes, it is a complication of an injury or other health conditions, like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Certain bad habits, such as substance abuse, alcoholism, and smoking, can also cause erectile dysfunction. It may also be a side effect of certain medications.
Psychological factors may also come into play. Men who are depressed or those who are under a lot of stress may experience impotence. Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, affect a man’s testosterone levels and may cause erectile dysfunction.
Chemical drugs, including the infamous “little blue pill,” are often prescribed to men with erectile dysfunction with varying results. Using them can be risky, however, as they cause side effects ranging from head and muscle aches to diarrhea, to hearing loss, and even erections that last an abnormally long time. Men who are prone to heart attack or stroke are also discouraged from taking these drugs.
Some sufferers turn to homeopathic remedies not only for their effectiveness but also for their safety. Here are three homeopathic treatments men can take:
• Panax ginseng – This medicinal plant has been called the “elixir of life” in Chinese medicine because of its far-reaching health benefits. One of its uses is as a short-term aphrodisiac, with effects including improvements in penile rigidity and girth, an enhanced libido, a longer-lasting erection, and greater satisfaction.
• Lepidium meyenii – Also known as maca, this Peruvian vegetable is a superfood filled with health-boosting ingredients. A study compared men who took maca and those who didn’t. Those in the former group reported improvements in erotic desire.
• Ginkgo biloba – The potential of ginkgo as a treatment for impotence was accidentally discovered when men attending a study on the medicinal plant’s brain benefits also reported having an erection. Ginkgo is reportedly especially effective against erectile dysfunction that originates from depression.
Acupuncture
This traditional Chinese treatment involves sticking needles in different areas of the body to relieve pain and treat a wide variety of conditions. It is based on the premise that certain diseases are caused by an imbalance in life energy. Sticking needles restores balance and facilitates treatment.
Men looking to treat erectile dysfunction using acupuncture need not worry – the needles go to pressure points specific to erectile dysfunction. These are located along the abdomen, the hands, and the legs. One particular study that compared acupuncture on these points and similar treatment on other points in the body found that the majority of those who were treated properly experienced improvements in their symptoms. Those who crossed over and were given acupuncture in impotence-specific pressure points also reported improvements.
Nutritional supplements
The penis also needs proper nutrition to stay healthy and functional. Ensuring a healthy intake of the following nutrients will help men prevent erectile dysfunction or improve its symptoms:
• L-Arginine – This nutrient is vital to the production of nitric oxide (NO), a natural chemical that maintains the smooth lining of the blood vessels. NO essentially encourages blood to flow into the penis, leading to an erection.
• Vitamin B3 – Also known as niacin, this nutrient plays an important role in the health of blood vessels. One research indicates that niacin supplementation can help men with moderate or severe impotence maintain an erection better.
• Vitamin B9 – Otherwise known as folic acid or just folate, this nutrient is another contributor to the production of NO. Some studies have linked a deficiency in this nutrient and difficulties with achieving and maintaining an erection.
• Vitamin C – This vitamin has antioxidant properties that encourage the production of NO and prevent its breakdown. For best results, you can take vitamin C together with vitamin E.
• Vitamin D – A deficiency in this essential vitamin is linked to higher risks of developing erectile dysfunction. Aside from spending time under the (morning) sun, men who want more vitamin D can obtain it from diary and eggs, as well as supplements.
As previously mentioned, erectile dysfunction is very rarely the disease – rather, it is simply a complication or an indication of another health issue. Effectively addressing it often means treating the underlying condition first.
yogaesoteric
January 26, 2020