Grape Seed Extract?

I casually added a few things to my Viagra last night...but experienced a significant improvement in response! I'm trying to figure out what it was, and I think it was the grape seed extract that did the trick.

I haven't read much about grape seed extract but according to this well-researched article (LINK HERE), from the folks at Life Extension (who seem to generally know what they are talking about), grape seed extract can increase testosterone levels by blocking the enzyme (aromatase) that converts testosterone to estrogen. (the rest of the article is worth a look, by the way, since it covers a lot of good research on sexual health herbs).

As far as I can tell, there are really no negative effects to taking grape seed extract. However, if less testosterone is converted to estrogen, this could raise testosterone levels. While this may seem like a good thing, the body might respond to this higher level by making less of it. So, my guess is that it's probably ok to try it but not every day.

ED and Asthma: Is There a Connection?

I've been reading some interesting research on asthma (which I developed after a cold last year) and it's relationship to L-arginine. Reading about it, I noticed that this problem seems to involve the same players at erectile dysfunction - L-arginine, nitric oxide, and others.

So, while we usually look at ED as a vascular disease, perhaps it is a disease associated with an imbalance in the L-arginine-nitric oxide system.

In one study, high doses of L-arginine reduced asthma systems, presumably by restoring the balance to this system and increasing nitric oxide production.

So, I'm wondering if I take high levels of L-arginine (available in any pharmacy or vitamin shop), whether that will help my asthma and my ED. I believe I've seen studies that give up to 30 g (grams) of L-arginine per day. However, I can't recommend that as safe. Talk to your doctor or do more research before taking a high dose (above 1-2 g).

Anyway, here is a link to a study in mice that found benefits with high doses of arginine:

CLICK HERE FOR STUDY.

Does Marijuana Cause ED?

Over 60 million people in the US have tried marijuana. Millions of American men smoke marijuana regularly. What effect does it have on their sex drives? Can it cause ED?

I did some research on this question. Here is a link to an article (from 1981) in the New York Times (LINK HERE). It says that short term, the active drug in marijuana (THC) raises testosterone, which is good; however, chronic use can significantly lower testosterone, which is bad. This may be why some young men who smoke a lot of pot have a low sex drive.

Most of the other information I can find supports this view, which would affect men and women.

Here's a Treatment You Can Do Yourself: SOD

An interesting study showed that taking SOD -- superoxide dismutase -- an enzyme that clears up free radicals that can contribute to erectile dysfunction -- has some benefit (at least in rats).

Read it here: LINK to article.

The good thing about SOD is that you can buy it at a health food store. The bad news is that SOD breaks down in your digestive tract; so you have to buy a version that is absorbed without being digested. They have these at health food stores. This is one of the supplements I take every night, by the way.

Here's the experiment I would like: take all of these supplements, and try them one at a time with rats. For example, which would be better - horny goat week, arginine, Viagra, SOD, etc etc.

Fish Oil for ED?

OK, here's a new line of reasoning:

1. Erectile dysfunction results from problems in blood vessels - they don't dilate (relax) the way they are supposed to, so they don't hold the blood in them to stay rigid.

2. What helps blood vessels relax is potassium ion (K+) channels in blood vessels.

3. Something that improves K+ channels may help blood vessels to support erections.

So far, simple enough. So, it turns out that DHA- - an omega-3 fatty acid found in seafood and fish oil supplements -- improves K+ channels in a dose-dependent manner (at least in rat tissue). Dose-dependent means that the more DHA you use, the more effect you have.

Now, whether this means that fish oil with DHA will help erectile dysfunction is something I will have to research. If there is a benefit, the question is what dose should be taken? One person I know who takes fish oil (for something other than ED) takes about 5 times the normal dose. However, fish oil seems to be a very healthy product, so there is certainly no problem with taking it. My other suggestion is that you take it in the morning, as it may make it hard to sleep at night, because it can give you a caffeine-like buzz.

Anyway, here is a link to an article about this (LINK HERE). I'll see what else I can find!

Taking Cialis Every Other Day Improved Blood Vessels

A study out of Italy reported that men who take Cialis (tadalafil) every other day had improved blood vessels after 4 weeks. These men also reported "a dramatic increase in morning erections," which helps to provide adequate oxygenation to the penis.

Men in the study who took Cialis as most men do - on-demand (as needed) did not show the same results. The conclusion: We should all be taking Cialis every other day. Here's a link to the study: LINK.

By the way, if you think I am publishing a lot of Cialis stories because I get money from them, sadly, I can honestly report that I am not getting a penny from anyone (although I'm trying). If you would like to support my work, please buy a copy of my e-book, which provides more detail on this subject. You can buy a copy from Paypal for $5. My Paypal account is the same as my e-mail address - menznews@yahoo.com. Thanks.

The Vacuum Pump: It May Be Worth a Try

I've seen research which demonstrates that the vacuum pump -- joked about in Austin Powers movies -- is actually a very good way to get an erection. There is even evidence that it improves the ability of men to have erections.

Now there is a study (in rats) that suggests why - it seems that the suction from the vacuum increases nitric oxide levels, which increases erection. This is roughly the same mechanism that enables Viagra to improve erections.

So, consider trying a vacuum pump and seeing what happens -- after talking with your doctor, of course.

Here's a link to the study: CLICK HERE.

New Cause of ED -- Too Much Light?

Just when I thought I had heard every cause of erectile dysfunction...along comes a new one. According to some researchers, sexual problems are caused by "over-illumination" -- the use of too much bright light in our environment.

According to this view, chronic exposure to bright light (such as working in an office or Wal-Mart for 8 hours) causes a stress response in the body, so that it releases adrenalin. This adrenalin causes blood vessels to get smaller (vasoconstriction), causing hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

So, it's all Edison's fault.

The cure is fixing the lighting so it is more like sunlight.

By the way, speaking of "innovators," I just stumbled on this gem, which I had to share:

Modern drug therapy for ED made a significant advance in 1983 when British physiologist Giles Brindley, Ph.D. dropped his trousers and demonstrated to a shocked American Urological Association audience his phentolamine-induced erection. The drug Brindley injected into his penis was a non-specific vasodilator, an alpha-blocking agent, and the mechanism of action was clearly corporal smooth muscle relaxation. The effect that Brindley discovered established the fundamentals for the later development of specific, safe, orally-effective drug therapies.

Source: LINK.

Eat Celery, Attract Women

Here's a trick to use with the ladies - eat celery the next time you want to smell good. Here is a quote supporting this:

It's stringy and tastes like crunchy water, but celery is the swizzle stick that can stir up your sex life. Every stalk of the stuff is packed with androstenone and androstenol, two pheromones that can help you attract women the way trailer parks attract tornadoes. (Don't worry, these steroids are different from the steroid androstenedione.)

"When you chew a stalk of celery, you release androstenone and androstenol odor molecules into your mouth. They then travel up the back of your throat to your nose," says Alan Hirsch, MD, author of Scentsational Sex. "Once there, the pheromones boost your arousal, turning you on and causing your body to send off scents and signals t

(from http://www.webmd.com/content/article/57/66177?src=Inktomi&condition=Healthy%20Men

Here is another link about celery and other foods, as "AskMen.com"

Click here

Musings on MUSE (Aprostadil)

I have good things to say about MUSE (alprostadil), which is a small, waxy pellet that you insert into your urethra. It is not pleasant poking a small plastic tube into the opening of your penis, but once you get used to this you may find this is a pretty interesting product. My insurance company pays for it and it is pretty cheap (although pharmacies don't have it in stock - they have to order it).

I started with 125 mcg - the smallest dose - and then went up to 250 mcg. A "mcg" is a microgram - one thousandth of a gram - so 250 mcg is .25 grams. Sounds like a small amount but that means it is very potent. You can go up to 1000 mcg (1 gram), if necessary.

Alprostadil is a chemical that is apparently the same as prostaglandin E1. This is a chemical in your body that causes the blood vessels in your penis to expand. This is important because:

• In the flacid (non-erect) state, the penis is blocked from being erect because chemicals in the penis keep tiny muscles on blood vessels contracted (small), so that the blood vessels do not fill up with blood.
• When a man is sexually stimulated, his brain triggers his penis to release chemicals the remove this block, so that the tiny mucles relax, the blood vessels expand, and blood fills the blood vessels; this causes an erection. After sex, the blocking chemicals come back and the blood vessels constrict (contract) again, and the erection ceases.
• While there are many other factors involved (and some are not even fully understood), two well known systems involved in the blood-vessel relaxation are the nitric oxide system and the prostaglandin system.
• Nitric oxide, a gas, is released during arousal, which causes cGMP to make blood vessels relax and fill with blood. Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra work by blocking an enzyme, PDE5, that reduces cGMP levels. Viagra was originally studied for patients with heart disease, because they have problems with their blood vessels. But many patients reported that the drug increased erections, so Viagra was discovered somewhat by accident.
• The other system the increases blood vessel relaxation uses prostaglandin E1. By inserting MUSE into your urethra, you are causes the blood vessels to relax and blood to fill the penis using this second system.

The interesting thing about MUSE is that it is the only product I have found that actually CAUSES an erection, unlike Viagra, which only SUPPORT an erection following sexual stimulation. Another good thing about MUSE is that it can be used WITH Viagra, because they use different mechanisms. In the future, some sort of combination product will no doubt be available, using multiple systems.

The only question I have about MUSE is if there is a long-term benefit from using it. There is some research that suggests that taking Viagra every night will help your penis. This is because you should have several erections at night (nocturnal tumescence), which increase blood flow to the penis at night and presumably are healthy. So, taking Viagra at night will support this process and help your penis health. Is the same thing true for MUSE? Will taking MUSE every night result in more blood flow to the penis, and support improved penis health (or at least prevent penis health decline?) Or will it somehow use up chemicals in the penis, actually causes a decline in sexual function? As far as I know, there is no research on this question.

Dog Meat?

Here's a recent article that says eating dog or snake is good for a man's sexual health. I'm not suggesting you start snacking on dog, but it's an interesting article! Here are some excerpts:

Men: Eight Foods for Better Sex (According to Chinese Medicine)

Long before Viagra hit the market in the United States and China, a new discipline within TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) was created, called nanke (男科), or “men’s medicine.” Nanke was founded in the mid-1980s and saw the opening of specialty clinics and practitioners treating yangwei (阳痿, impotence) in China. TCM treatments and herbal remedies were prescribed for men dealing with yangwei and sexual dysfunction. These treatments and remedies are still touted today and beyond that, a significant emphasis on dealing with yangwei is tied up in nutrition because food and medicine in China are inextricably linked. Many things you might find ground up in your traditional Chinese medicine prescription are things you might also see on your regular dinner or lunch plate.

This is because vegetables and animal products for consumption all have roots in the Chinese Yin and Yang philosophy of balance. Foods are divided into two distinct categories: “cold” (Yin) and “hot” (Yang) foods. Raw vegetables and many fruits are classified as cold foods and believed to slow the body’s internal processes. Hot foods on the other hand are calorie-rich fats and thought to stimulate the body’s organs and blood flow. Good nutrition in this philosophy is based on achieving a balance between hot and cold.

The foods believed in China to heat up a man’s sex life are almost too numerous to name, to the point that one might think that marketing people had a bigger hand in some of their medicinal value selection than that of the doctors. Some of these foods include donkey meat, animal kidneys, quail, silkworms, and liquor infused with tiger bone. In any case, here are eight foods to eat and make love to, according to Chinese medicine. Some of these foods like snakes may be difficult to come by (and also may seem flat-out unappetizing), but following TCM nutritional advice for sexual health doesn't have to be difficult – throw a few more shrimp on the barbie, or finish your greens for once and you’ll be ready to get your groove on. A little Barry White never hurts either.

1) Pigeon 鸽肉
Eating pigeon can replenish your qi, which plays a strong role in sexual function. Pigeons have a very strong sex drive and frequent intercourse and their eggs and meat are rich in proteins, vitamins, iron and other elements. For better results, stir-fry 2 pigeon eggs with 10 grams of wolfberries and 5 grams of longan fruit. Add sugar or a little salt on top to taste.

2) Shellfish贝类
Shrimp is classified as a Yang food and has a warming ability within the body. Eating shrimp frequently can help stimulate libido as well as help with impotence. Oysters as well as mussels – rich in protein, iodine, B vitamins, zinc, iron, calcium and phosphorus – are other shellfish with medicinal effects. Men can eat them to strengthen their sexual power and vitality.

3) Chinese chives 韭菜
These are long, green, grass-like vegetables with small white bulbs at their ends. Their Chinese name is jiu cai and you can find them at any Asian market. They have a strong, garlicky taste and are often added to jiaozi dumpling fillings. The chives contain mustard oil which is high in sulphur and is thought to stimulate blood flow. When consumed with other foods classified under Chinese medicine as "hot," eating Chinese chives can cure impotence and stimulate libido. Try stir-frying some Chinese chives with shrimp.

4) Snakes 蛇肉
Snakes have become somewhat of a food trend in China in recent years and not least because it is believed that eating fresh snake meat helps with male sexual vigor. Perhaps this has something to do with the copperhead snake – a snake that can mate with his mate for up to eight continuous hours.

5) Wolfberries 枸杞子
These little dried red fruits have been making their way into teas, soups, congees, and other dishes in China for many centuries. They are packed with beta-carotene, vitamin C, B vitamins, and calcium and their medicinal value goes as far as helping eyesight, liver and kidney dysfunction, high cholesterol, as well as impotence in men.
6) Loaches泥鳅
Loaches are any number of long and narrow worm-like European or Asian fish that look a lot like leaches or eels at first glance. They are rich in protein, essential fats, vitamin A, vitamin B1, niacin, iron, phosphorus, and calcium. Loaches also contain a specific protein that is thought to promote the role of sperm formation. Eating loaches can help men increase their sperm count.

7) Lychee fruit 荔枝
Lychee are small round fruits that grow in grape-like bunches. Their tough reddish-brown outer shells are peeled to reveal a juicy, sweet fruit with a seed inside. Lychee are a warming Yang food and thought to replenish qi and stimulate a person’s blood flow. Making lychee a regular part of your diet can help improve digestive function,
insomnia, forgetfulness, diarrhea, as well as improve impotence and premature
ejaculation. Try making a lychee martini for an added twist.

8) Dog 狗肉
Roasted and simmered with ginger, dog meat might be just what a man needs to cure his impotence or premature ejaculation. The meat of a dog can stabilize a man’s internal organs and warm the kidneys. Dog meat is however not as common in China as one might think and it is often hard to find at restaurants. It is predominantly eaten in the southern regions of the country, such as Guangdong and Guizhou.

Here's a link to the article: LINK
HERE. But no recipes for dog.

Aspirin, NSAIDs, and ED

Further information on the association between aspirin and similar drugs and erectile function. A recent study in the Journal of Urology of 80,000 men has reported that regular use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - which include aspirin and ibuprofen - "is associated with erectile dysfunction beyond what would be expected due to age and co-morbidity."

Here is a link to the article: LINK

The Effect of Obesity on Sexual Health

In a study showing how obesity can harm sexual health, researchers reported that obese men are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

In the United States, two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese.

"In public health terms, the study lends a new slant to a familiar message: that obesity can harm not only health and longevity, but your sex life," Sandy Goldbeck-Wood, a specialist in psychosexual medicine at Britain's Ipswich Hospital, wrote in an editorial on the study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

The research, led by Professor Nathalie Bajos of France's National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), is the first major study to investigate the impact of being overweight or obese on sexual activity and other factors such as sexual satisfaction, unintended pregnancy and abortion.

The authors surveyed the sexual behavior of 12,364 men and women aged between 18 and 69 years in France in 2006. Around half of them were normal weight, with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 25, around 2,500 of them were overweight, with a BMI of 25 to 30, and around 750 of them were obese, with a BMI over 30.

Compared to normal weight men, obese men were 70 percent less likely to have had more than one sexual partner in the past year and two and half times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. Obese men under 30 years old were far more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease.

Sexual dysfunction was not linked to BMI in women, but obese women under 30 years old were less likely than women of normal weight to seek contraceptive advice or use oral contraceptives and were also more likely to report an unplanned pregnancy.

The study also found that obese women were five times as likely to have met their partner on the internet, more likely to have an obese partner, and less likely to view sex as important for personal life balance.

Bajos said social pressure, low self-esteem and concerns about body image may help explain these findings.

Goldbeck-Wood said there was evidence that doctors find it difficult to discuss sex and weight issues with patients, but she said they must be more prepared to do so: "We need to understand more about how obese people feel about their sex lives, and what drives the observed behaviors and attitudes."

Here is a study that found weight loss improves sexual function in overweight men: LINK HERE

Here is the abstract:

Objective: Abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with erectile and urinary dysfunction in men. The extent to which sexual function and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are improved by weight loss remains unclear.Subjects:We compared the effects of 8 weeks of a low-calorie diet using meal replacements (Kicstart) on insulin sensitivity, plasma testosterone levels, erectile function (measured by the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF-5), sexual desire (measured by the Sexual Desire Inventory, SDI) and LUTS (measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score, IPSS), in abdominally obese (body mass index >/=30 kg m(-2), waist circumference (WC) >/=102 cm) men (mean age 49.7 years) with uncomplicated diet or oral hypoglycemic-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=19) or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=25), with a control group of nondiabetic men (n=26) with similar body mass index and WC.Results:Weight loss of approximately 10% was significantly associated with increased insulin sensitivity, plasma testosterone levels, IIEF-5 and SDI scores, as well as reduced WC and IPSS scores, in diabetic as well as nondiabetic men. The degree of weight loss was significantly associated with improvements in plasma testosterone levels (r=-0.34), erectile function (r=-0.26) and LUTS (r=0.65). Reduction in LUTS was significantly associated with increased plasma testosterone (r=-0.35), erectile function (r=-0.42) and sexual desire (r=-0.40).Conclusions:Diet-induced weight loss significantly and rapidly improves sexual function, and reduces LUTS, in obese middle-aged men with or without diabetes.International Journal of Obesity advance online publication, 20 April 2010; doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.76.

Here is a link to a report on the global problem of obesity: LINK HERE

Exciting Research With BH4

Imagine Viagra with a boost - that is what you may get in the future with chemical called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). This is the chemical in your body that helps nitric oxide relax blood vessels (a process that is supported by Viagra and similar drugs).

This line of research opens up a whole new field for treating ED, and is very promising. I've found one study (see THIS LINK for the PubMed citation) in which BH4 was studied in a small group of patients with good results, as reported in The Asian Journal of Andrology.

It is possible that BH4 deficiencies are what is causing ED in the first place. Lower levels of BH4 are seen in such conditions as diabetes, which is also associated with ED and other vascular (blood vessel) disorders.

Mediterranean Diet Helps Improve Erectile Function

Here is a link (HERE) to a recent study which showed that men with metabolic syndrome (who tend to be overweight and have cholesterol problems) improved their erectile function by sticking with the Mediterranean Diet. Men on this diet consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil then the other men, and after 2 years they had improved sexual function. So, this is a simple way to improve your health and your sex life.

Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase...

Here's another avenue I'm following for better erections...dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) is an enzyme that degrades asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which inhibits the production of nitric oxide synthase. Why should you care?

Because nitric oxide synthase takes a nitrogen atom from L-arginine, producing nitric oxide (NO), so that NO can activate cGMP and cause blood vessels in the penis to relax, so blood can come in and you can get an erection.

In certain health problems - such as high levels of homocysteine (homocysteinemia) - the evil ADMA is more likely to impair the release of NO. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume these elements play a role in erectile dysfunction.

DDAH is a perfect drug for supporting erections. In a mouse model, mice with high levels of DDAH decreased levels of ADMA by 50%, which was associated with a significant increase in nitric oxide synthase activity. They also had healthier blood vessels.

Has DDAH been explored as an ED treatment? Are there any herbs that mimic the effects of DDAH? I haven't found any.

Good News on Booze

Does alcohol consumption lead to erections problems? New evidence, from The Journal of Sexual Medicine, suggests that moderate drinking of alcohol actually reduces the risk of developing ED. (LINK HERE)

Another study -- a meta-analysis published in The International Journal of Impotence Research -- found that "consumption of 8 or more drinks per week significantly reduced the risks of ED." (In case you are wondering, a meta-analysis combines several studies to look for trends by combining data.)(LINK HERE)

These studies do not get into causes, but one possibility for these findings is that alcohol raises levels of the "good cholesterol" -- HDL-cholesterol -- which can help blood vessels. This might explain an interesting finding - that binge drinkers have less ED than ex-drinkers.

In earlier posts, I noted that carbon dioxide (CO2) may also support erections; so, beer or champagne should be especially beneficial.

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For Healthier Blood Vessels: Artichokes?

Here is research which states that substances found in artichokes called flavinoids increase levels of nitric oxide, which is important for health blood vessels and erections. You can buy artichoke extract at the local health food store. So, consider adding this to your anti-ED regimen.

Here is a link to the article:

LINK

Erectile Dysfunction and Bicycling

Here is an article (LINK) from Irwin Goldstein, MD, discussing the issue of bicycling and erectile dysfunction (ED). Short version: some bicycling, like all exercise, is good for you; too much cycling with an unsupportive seat can cause problems that contribute to ED.

More Findings on CPAP and ED

I was reading an article today (LINK HERE) that shows treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) helps men with erectile dysfunction (ED) after 1 month. They also reported that men with less oxygen during sleep had more ED.

Bottom line: If you have sleep apnea, get a CPAP mask. If you have a mask, use it every night!

Here's Something you Can Try: L-Citrulline

Erections need nitric oxide, which comes from L-arginine - so taking L-arginine should boost nitric oxide levels and improve erections, right? Except it doesn't usually work.

Part of the reason is that some of the arginine may be sent on another pathway. So, what's the alternative?

There is L-citrulline. I always thought L-citrulline was downstream of arginine, but the study below suggests it may be better than arginine. I guess you have to read the article to find out why.

This is -as far as I know - a pretty safe (non-toxic) product that is easily available (my ideal criteria), so it is something you can try. The study below says that it can help. Presumably, it would be a good product to add on to Viagra.

Here is the abstract of the study (you can send the author an email asking for a copy of the article for free):

Cormio L, et al. Oral L-citrulline supplementation improves erection hardness in men with mild erectile dysfunction. Urology. 2011 Jan;77(1):119-22.

Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. luigicormio@libero.it

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To test the efficacy and safety of oral L-citrulline supplementation in improving erection hardness in patients with mild erectile dysfunction (ED). L-arginine supplementation improves nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation and endothelial function; however, oral administration has been hampered by extensive presystemic metabolism. In contrast, L-citrulline escapes presystemic metabolism and is converted to L-arginine, thus setting the rationale for oral L-citrulline supplementation as a donor for the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway of penile erection.

METHODS: In the present single-blind study, men with mild ED (erection hardness score of 3) received a placebo for 1 month and L-citrulline, 1.5 g/d, for another month. The erection hardness score, number of intercourses per month, treatment satisfaction, and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 24 patients, mean age 56.5 ± 9.8 years, were entered and concluded the study without adverse events. The improvement in the erection hardness score from 3 (mild ED) to 4 (normal erectile function) occurred in 2 (8.3%) of the 24 men when taking placebo and 12 (50%) of the 24 men when taking L-citrulline (P < .01). The mean number of intercourses per month increased from 1.37 ± 0.93 at baseline to 1.53 ± 1.00 at the end of the placebo phase (P = .57) and 2.3 ± 1.37 at the end of the treatment phase (P < .01). All patients reporting an erection hardness score improvement from 3 to 4 reported being very satisfied.

CONCLUSIONS: Although less effective than phosphodiesterase type-5 enzyme inhibitors, at least in the short term, L-citrulline supplementation has been proved to be safe and psychologically well accepted by patients. Its role as an alternative treatment for mild to moderate ED, particularly in patients with a psychologically fear of phosphodiesterase type-5 enzyme inhibitors, deserves further research.

Go Nuts! Research Says Eat Pistachios for ED.

Read it here first! The following is from an article that will be published in the next issue of the International Journal of Impotence Research:

Pistachio diet improves erectile function parameters and serum lipid profiles in patients with erectile dysfunction.
Aldemir M, Okulu E, Neşelioğlu S, Erel O, Kayıgil O.
Int J Impot Res. 2011 Jan 13. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract
We investigated the effects of Antep pistachio on International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores, penile color Doppler ultrasound (PCDU) parameters and serum lipid levels in patients with ED. A total of 17 married male patients with ED for at least 12 months were included in this prospective study. Patients were put on a 100 g pistachio nuts diet for 3 weeks. IIEF and PCDU were evaluated before and after the pistachio diet. In addition, plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride were measured before and after dietary modifications from all subjects. Mean IIEF-15 score was 36±7.5 before the diet and 54.2±4.9 after the diet (P=0.001). Similarly, an increase in all five domains of IIEF was observed after the diet.Mean peak systolic velocity values before and after the pistachio diet were 35.5±15.2 and 43.3±12.4 cm s(-1), respectively (P=0.018). After the pistachio diet, TC and LDL levels decreased significantly, whereas HDL level increased (P=0.008, 0.007 and 0.001, respectively). We demonstrated that a pistachio diet improved IIEF scores and PCDU parameters without any associated side effects in patients with ED. Furthermore, the lipid parameters showed statistically significant improvements after this diet.

For the listing on PubMed, CLICK HERE.

Poor Results From Viagra: Here's Why

According to this article, LINK, from the European Urology journal, many men do not have good results from using Viagra because they are not informed how to use it. This study found that of 100 men who did not respond to Viagra:
- 45 never used the higher dose (100 mg)
- 32 took Viagra with a full stomach after a meal (it's best with an empty stomach)
- 22 took the pill at the beginning of sexual activity! (You need 20-30 minutes for it to kick in)
- And 12 "were not aware that sexual stimulation was mandatory to achieve an erection" - in other words, they popped a pill and waited for an erection to just show up!

The investigators found with dose adjustments and better information, many of the men were able to get good results with Viagra.
Full study citation: Hatzichriston D, et al. Sildenafil failures may be due to inadequate patient instructions and follow-up: a study on 100 non-responders. Eur Urol. 2005;47:518-522.

Minoxidil for Erections?

Someone in 1994 took out a patent on the use of minoxidil for causing erections. Here's the LINK. The person taking out the patent claims that it is effective as a topic medicine (on the skin). I don't recommend trying this, but it would be interesting if it works, because this is an easily available product.

Once again - information only available on my site!

For a summary of all my findings, please send $5 (or $1 if you are poor, more if you are rich) to me via my Paypal account, which is menznews@yahoo.com . I will send you my e-book with all my research findings within 1-2 days. Thanks!

Study Shows Some Effect From Maca

This study (LINK HERE) reports that an easy-to-get herb, Maca (Lepidium meyenii), has some mild benefit in humans. Men with ED received 2400 mg of Maca or placebo. The investigators reported that "a small but significant effect of Maca supplementation on subjective perception of general and sexual well-being in adult patients with mild ED."

It's nice to report on actual data.

My personal (subjective) experience with Maca is that it has some effect on mood; I feel the world looks a little better when I take Maca regularly. I don't know if this translates into any sexual benefits.

For more information on this and other herbs, please send $5 to my Paypal account (menznews@yahoo.com) and I will send you my e-book on Men's Sexual Health.

Thanks for the Generous Contribution!

One of my long-time readers was kind enough to send me a donation to support my work on this site. It has been difficult because Google blocks my ads (because they say it is an "Adult" site, which isn't true), so I can't make any money from ads. I tried selling supplements, but people aren't buying them.

So, if you would like to help me continue to work on this site, and to research new information on ED and treatments, then please send me a contribution.

Even $1-$5 would be helpful.

To make a contribution, go to http://www.paypal.com/ and make a contribution to this email address:

menznews@yahoo.com

I would certainly appreciate it, and it would help me continue to work on this site, which is fun but hard work.

The Editor

Should You Avoid Soy Products?

Many soy products - such as soy milk - contain varying levels of compounds similar to estrogen, the female hormone. While this may be good for preventing breast cancer, it may not be good for men and their sexual lives.

Here is a brief discussion of soy and libido:

LINK HERE.

New Research Update

For those of you who follow ongoing research in the ED field, here is a good article about some new drugs in development, from Advances in Pharmacological Sciences: LINK HERE for free article.

It includes updated information on such new treatments as sGC stimulators/activators, Rho-kinase inhibitors, and sodium nitrite.

Aspirin: Friend or Foe?

Does aspirin cause erectile dysfunction - or reduce it? If you follow this blog, you will see that I have gone back and forth on this question, as I've read many different view points. Now I've found some evidence that suggests that it does both. Let me explain.

Short term, aspirin has effects - like raising nitric oxide levels - that should help men have better erections. However, long-term, it can reduce levels of chemicals in your body, such as prostanoids, so that could make it harder to have an erection.

So, if you take aspirin every day, and you suspect that it may be associated with a worsening of your erectile dysfunction, you may be right. I assume this concern is widespread, as this is the most searched for question that brings men to my site.

Take a look at this article: LINK HERE. It suggests that aspirin may also increase arthritis - again, long-term. Interesting stuff.

As usual, we are all pretty much on our own when it comes to understanding what we need for our bodies. Many doctors do not read original research - only the guidelines that experts panels conclude based on their interpretation of the research. So, you may be right if you suspect aspirin is a problem. Talk to your doctor before doing anything, but you may be able to find healthier alternatives.

Updates on Avanafil - New ED Drug in Development

VIVUS, the company that is testing the new ED compound avanafil, annouced that they have had some good results in a recent phase III study. Up to 80% of men with ED had a good response, some within 15 minutes after taking avanafil.

The drug is similar to Viagra (sildenafil) but acts faster. Hopefully it will be priced lower.

For more information on this recent study, go to this LINK.

Acupuncture for ED?

My latest experiment: I am receiving acupuncture for a number of conditions, including asthma.

Because Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treats the "whole" patient, it may help sexual function.

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I based my views on Western medical science and published scientific studies. However, regular doctors have failed to help me with my asthma, which gets really bad in the winter. When I get a cold (like this year), it's like I never get better and I feel sick all winter. It's quite miserable, with the coughing and mucus and such.

The reason I mention this is that I have covered (in older posts) some evidence of a connection between asthma and erectile dysfunction. I don't know what it is, but there are studies which show that if you have one, you are more likely to have the other. So, it may be something in my body that Chinese medicine can help with, something that affects several systems. The same may be true for you.

So, we'll see if acupuncture and Chinese herbs helps me. I am not an advocate of Chinese Medicine, although I do like some Chinese herbs, such as epimedium. It's been two days since my treatment, and my asthma symptoms have decreased and my energy is better; but I don't know if this is just coincidence or not.

I will let you all know how it develops, as Chinese medicine works more slowly that Western medicine. If anyone has tried this, please post a message and let me know how it worked for you.

Here are some articles on acupuncture and ED:

1. LINK

2. LINK

3. LINK

New Company Studying Treatment for ED

It's funny how once I start one line of research, I find a lot of promising information. I have been looking at arginine for ED. This lead to the question of what happens when we inhibit the enzyme that breaks down arginine - arginase.

Now I find that a company is developing drugs that block arginase. The company is Arginetix Inc, and it is attempting to develop arginase inhibitors for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and erectile dysfunction (ED). They are also exploring the treatment of asthma and atherosclerosis.

A study published in The American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology demonstrated that, in a mouse model of ED, treatment with an arginase inhibitor restored the intracavernosal pressure (a measure of erection health) of aged mice to the level of young mice without affecting young mice.

While other companies have worked on arginine as a target, no other group is focusing on arginase. Inhibiting the enzyme increases production of nitric oxide, which is critical for cell signaling, and reduces the production of reactive oxygen, which can damage cells.

For more information, here is a press release from Argenitex: CLICK HERE.

Here is an article about inhibiting arginase: CLICK HERE.

If you want to create your own arginase inhibitor in your laboratory, here's how: CLICK HERE.

On wikipedia, they have this to say about arginase:

Arginase II is coexpressed with nitric oxide (NO) synthase in smooth muscle tissue, such as the muscle in the genitals of both men and women. The contraction and relaxation of these muscles has been attributed to NO synthase, which causes rapid relaxation of smooth muscle tissue and facilitates engorgement of tissue necessary for normal sexual response. However, since NO synthase and arginase compete for the same substrate (L-arginine), over-expressed arginase can affect NO synthase activity and NO-dependent smooth muscle relaxation by depleting the substrate pool of L-arginine that would otherwise be available to NO synthase. In contrast, inhibiting arginase with ABH or other boronic acid inhibitors will maintain normal cellular levels of arginine, thus allowing for normal muscle relaxation and sexual response.^[6]

Recent studies have implicated arginase as a controlling factor in both male erectile function and female sexual arousal, and is therefore a potential target for treatment of sexual dysfunction in both sexes. Additionally, supplementing the diet with additional L-arginine will decrease the amount of competition between arginase and NO synthase by providing extra substrate for each enzyme.^[7]

Some Things That Raise Nitric Oxide

You may have heard that Viagra works by raising levels of nitric oxide, which helps erections. But there are other ways of raising nitric oxide levels. Here are some ways to raise nitric oxide levels, which will presumably help your blood vessels and improve erections:

• Take a sauna. Several articles (THIS LINK) show that saunas can raise nitric oxide levels. A hot bath may do the same thing. I found that taking a bath every day helped me after 1 week!
• Get acupuncture, which some authors suggest raises nitric oxide levels in areas near to where acupuncture needles are used (LINK HERE). My guess is that massage would have the same effect.
• Take fish oil (omega 3) (LINK HERE).
• Drink green tea (LINK HERE)
• Take vitamin C

A lot of this research was done in people or animals with blood vessel problems due to conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes. What is interesting is that a lot of tradition approaches - such as saunas - seem to have a scientific reason for improving health. As with all advice on this site, talk to your doctor before you try anything.

Statins - Friend or Foe?

Here is a post that says that statins treat erectile dysfunction...by helping blood vessels. (LINK HERE) This study also supports that. (LINK HERE) But there are also reports that claim the opposite - that some statins CAUSE erection problems. (LINK HERE) The evidence is ambiguous.

Aspirin: It May Be Good for Blood Vessels

I have covered the pros and cons of aspirin use. Is it good for erections, or bad? This is an important topic, because it is a very commonly used drug.

I found a recent study that suggests that aspirin is a good product for erections. I say this based on the finding of the study -- done with pig blood vessels -- which showed that aspirin (used at doses equivalent to what people use therapeutically) increased levels of nitric oxide in the endothelium -- the tiny muscles that make blood vessels expand (vasodilate) and get smaller (vasoconstrict).

The authors of the report, Dr. D. Taubert and colleagues (from Halle, Germany) suggest that aspirin stimulates release of nitric oxide from the endothelium by increasing its formation.

Of course, one study in pig blood vessels doesn't prove anything, but it does suggest that aspirin may not be harmful to sexual health.

To read the study yourself, go here for a free copy (pdf) of the article: CLICK HERE

HDL-Cholesterol and Sexual Health

The first thing you realize when you study sexual health and erectile dysfunction is that a lot is simply not known. So, a person who want to have a healthy sex life into his 50s, 60s, and beyond needs to do a lot of research on his own. That's why I started this blog (because no one else is running a web site with the type of information I want to read on this subject!)

Here's another interesting piece of the puzzle: the relationship between low HDL-cholesterol (the so-called "good" cholesterol) and erection problems. Apparently, men with high HDL-cholesterol levels (greater than 60 mg/dL) have a much lower rate of sexual problems than those with HDL-cholesterol less than 30 mg/dL).

It also appears that HDL-cholesterol helps increase levels of nitric oxide, the gas that helps blood vessels relax (so you have have an erection).

So how can you raise HDL-cholesterol levels (which will, supposedly, increase sexual health)? Here are some ways:

• Exercise (especially intense exercise)
• Quite smoking
• Eat more soluble fiber
• Switch to the Mediterranean diet and eat lots of olive oil
• Cut back on sugar
• Loose weight
  

You know you should be doing these things anyway. But now you can do it for better sexual health!

If you want to read some medical articles about this topic, click on the links below:

From Circulation Research.

From Journal of Biological Chemistry. (use this link for a free pdf)

From Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Epimedium - Icariin - Horny Goat Weed...

It goes by many names - Epimedium brevicornum (the plant), icariin (the active chemical), Horny Goat Weed (the commercially available product). I have purchased this from Physicians Formulas and found that it is like a weak Viagra. Of course, with herbs, you never know what you are getting - there is no FDA regulation or quality standards with herbal products - but there is definitely a weak effect.

Now there is a study from the Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, which says that altering icariin, the active chemical in Epimedium, can produce a chemical that is as active as Viagra. Here is the link to the recently published study: (CLICK HERE).

One of the authors on the study also showed, in another study, that red wine and the extracts from grape skin inhibit PDE5, the same enzyme that Viagra inhibits. For study: (CLICK HERE).

Good Foods

Nitric oxide is good for erections. Some foods support the production of nitric acid within the body.

Increasing nitric acid (NO) production in your body can be achieved by exercise, supplements, and diet.

Specific foods to target are fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes, whole grains, and nuts. According to Dr. John Cooke, head of Stanford Medical School’s vascular unit, the goal is to consume nutrient-dense foods high in antioxidants, including vitamins B, folate, C, and E. These foods have properties that improve NO levels, and thus, your vascular health.

Foods to Add to Your Diet

Vitamin A (Carotenoids)
•Apricots
•Cantaloupe
•Spinach
•Broccoli
•Carrots
•Sweet potatoes
•Tomatoes
•Winter squashes

Vitamin B12
•Fish
•Eggs
•Meat (occasional and very lean meat)
•Poultry

Vitamin B6
•Fortified cereals
•Beans
•Meat (occasional and very lean meat)
•Poultry
•Fish
•Certain fruits and vegetables

Vitamin C
•Broccoli
•Oranges
•Cantaloupe
•Lemons
•Peppers (sweet and hot)
•Tomatoes
•Citrus fruits

Vitamin E
•Vegetable oils
•Nuts
•Leafy green vegetables
•Fortified cereals
•Wheat germ

Fiber
•Blueberries
•Carrots
•Prunes
•Raisins
•Oranges
•Sweet potatoes
•Whole grain breads
•Oatmeal
•Bran flakes
•All types of dried beans, legumes, and peas

Folic Acid (Folate)
•Whole grain breads and cereals
•Avocado
•All types of dried beans, legumes, and peas
•Oranges
•Spinach
•Strawberries

L-Arginine-Rich Proteins
•All types of dried beans, legumes, and peas
•Fish
•Soy (tofu)
•Egg whites
•Meat (occasional and very lean)
•Chicken
•Nuts

Polyunsaturated Fats
•Canola oil
•Olive oil
•Corn oil
•Walnut oil
•Avocado oil

SOURCE: THIS LINK

Vitamin C?

The case for increasing your dose of vitamin C is pretty good. Evidence suggests that taking vitamin C increases nitric oxide levels in your blood vessels.

Part of the argument for vitamin C is a curious fact of nature - humans are one of the few species ON EARTH that don't manufacture vitamin C in their bodies. Apparently a mutation millions of years ago in a common ape ancestor resulted in us missing the 4th enzyme needed to make vitamin C, which is why the other apes live in tropical areas (where there are lots of citrus fruits).

Anyway, Linus Pauling did some research on this years ago and calculated that the actual amount of vitamin C we should consume (based on how much other animals produce naturally in their bodies) is much higher than we often consume; further, in times of stress, we would need even more vitamin C. For example, a goat makes 13 g of vitamin C.

So, he suggested that humans take large supplements of vitamin C, just to reach natural levels. He took 6 g of vitamin C a day. You can read his stuff and decide for yourself, but it makes sense to me.

So, are your sexual problems caused by a vitamin C deficiency? It's probably much more than that, but as far as I know it can't hurt to pump up your vitamin C intake to 1 g or more. Just do it slowly, as a suddenly intake of 1 g of vitamin C will probably cause diarrhea. I am taking 500 mg/day but am switching to 1000 mg (1 g) soon. Good luck.

Aspirin and Erections: Part III

So far, the evidence I've seen supports the view that low-dose aspirin may actually help make erections better, by raising levels of nitric oxide.

So, is the active chemical in aspirin found in foods? According to this article, several foods have salicylates, the chemical in aspirin. These foods include the following:

Foods extremely high in salicylates:

• Blueberries - Cherries - Dried Currants - Curry Powder - Dried Dates - Gherkins (small pickles) - Licorice - Paprika - Prunes - Raspberries Foods moderately high in salicylates:
  
• Almonds - Apples (granny smith) - Oranges - Peppers (sweet and hot) - Persimmons - Pineapple - Tea Generally fruits contain considerable amounts of salicylates; vegetables do not. Here is the link to the original article, which lists a source: LINK HERE.

Another way you can raise nitric oxide levels is with 3 great ingredients: epimedium (Horny Goat Weed), L-arginine, and Pine Bark Extract. We are selling a one-month supply of these herbs in our new product, available through Paypay (http://www.paypal.com/ - payable to menznews@yahoo.com).

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Levitra Now Available at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart is aggressively trying to offer affordable drugs; so they are now offering Levitra (by prescription) at $9/pill. This is not much of a savings, but it is something, and hopefully a trend. They are also selling finasteride (Propecia), a drug for the prostate.

Here is a link the list of drugs Wal-Mart is offering: LINK HERE.

Levitra and similar drugs (Viagra, Cialis) are still expensive because they are on patent, so there are no generic versions. Anyone who is selling "generic" Viagra is a crook, so there is no reason to assume they are selling anything worthwhile. They are stealing money from legitimate pharmaceutical companies, so why assume they are suddenly being honest about providing a legitimate, safe, and effective drug? Many of these counterfeit, fake drugs are made in dirty third world facilities, so good luck with that.

As an alternative to risky fake generic products, many men consider safe, natural herbal products. Because of this, we have prepared an herbal product for sale. It consists of 3 pills, each containing a pure ingredient. We make the pills ourselves, so there is no question about ingredients and quality.


The three ingredients are Horny Goat Weed (epimedium), an effective Chinese herb; Pine Bark Extract, the same ingredient found in Pycnogenol, and L-arginine, the amino acid the is needed to produce nitric oxide, the amazing gas the helps blood vessels function properly.

And who are "we"? Just two middle-aged guys who have researched this question and are now starting a business selling herbal products. Who says people can't start a business these days? We have, and so far the response has been great! We've received orders from the USA and Europe, and customers have been very happy!

So, you can try our herbal products for $34.00 - free shipping! To order, simply go to Paypal (www.Paypal.com), a very secure payment site. All you need is a credit card; then send $34.00 to our e-mail address - "menznews@yahoo.com" - and we will quickly ship you our exciting, effective supplement! Try it!

What About YohimBINE?

While we hear a lot about yohimbe (the herb), what about yohimbine - a drug based on the active chemical in yohimbe?

Research is very mixed, but it may be worth a try. It has affinity for a bunch of receptors that may be involved in sexual activity. However, it has been associated with significant side effects, similar to those found with yohimbe (the herb). When I tried yohimbe, I hated it. It kept me up all night and made me feel loopy.

But you can decide for yourself, as you can ask you doctor to give you a prescription.

Just in case you are interested, it has also been found to increase the volume of semen ejaculated by dogs.

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So, who are we and why should you buy from us? We are middle-aged two guys who decided we wanted to do something about improving our sex lives. One of us has a background in the pharmaceutical industry, the other has a marketing background.

First, we checked out the herbal male supplement products, and found they are useless! They make fake claims, don't list all their ingredients, have no research to back them, and promise you things that are impossible (such as a larger "size". Sorry, that's not going to happen. If someone promises that, they are liars).

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You can read about a lot of the research we have done on this web site, if you have time. In addition to information on herbs, we describe many helpful tips for improving sexual health with improved diet, exercise, etc.

However, most men want a simple, reasonably priced supplement to give them a boost in the bedroom. So, we have prepared a supplement that contains these ingredients (in three separate bottles):

• Horny Goat Weed (epimedium). A remarkable Chinese herb that has been used for a thousand years in the East to help men (and women) improve their sex lives. We buy the freshest form of Horny Goat Weed for our capsules. While the Chinese have been using this herb for a millennium, scientists are now discovering why it works - it acts on blood vessels to help them relax, which is important for erections. Some researchers claim it also acts like testosterone in the body (which is why the herb is popular with weight lifters). However, unlike some herbs - like yohimbe - it is not a stimulant and won't cause insomnia, heart palpitations, or anxiety. It is safe enough to take every day. Great stuff!
• Pine Bark Extract. This is the EXACT same ingredient found in Pycnogenol - without the big price tag! It is a remarkable herb from pine trees that supports blood vessel health in various ways. We take this herb every day. This alone is an excellent product to take by itself, and a month's supply at GNC or Walgreen's costs at least as much as we are charging -but we offer two additional ingredients!
• L-Arginine. This is the amino acid that is broken down to produce nitric oxide in the body. Body builders take a lot of arginine, because they know that nitric oxide makes blood vessels relax so they can work out more. The same is true for erections. After all, Viagra, Cialis, and other drugs ultimately work by increasing nitric oxide levels. Viagra was originally investigated as a heart drug, because it increases the flow of blood by relaxing blood vessels.
  

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Take Viagra, for example. This was not even developed for erections. It was studied as a heart drug. But they don't know the long-term effects of Viagra, because it hasn't been around very long. They keep finding new problems with Viagra, such as eye damage in people with a certain eye structure. Could Viagra cause damage to your eye? You would only find this out after taking it and having irreversible eye damage. While this condition is rare, if it happens to you, that is one case too many. There are no reported cases of any injury associated with Horny Goat Weed, Arginine, or Pine Bark Extract. There are no side effects, only good effects!

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Vacuum Pumps: They Seem to Work.

I have never tried the infamous "vacuum pump" -- seems kind of bizarre -- but apparently they are quite effective.

Here is an article which suggests that they work the same way as Viagra does - via the nitric oxide system. Worth a try?

Here's the article: LINK HERE.

Or, you can add this to your browser: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20457493

Are You a Sex Addict?

This web site has focused on helping men achieve optimal sexual health through the use of herbs, drugs, diet, and other approaches.

However, I wanted to take a moment to address a related issue - is your interest in sexual health due to a sexual addiction?

I have become aware that increasing numbers of men (and women) have sexual addictions. While this has become something of a joke, it is a very serious disorder, because it often leads to men and women to behaviors that lead to lying, cheating, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including the bad one - HIV (AIDS).

So, I ask my readers to consider the question, do you have an addiction to sex? An addiction, after all, is something that harms us or others, but we do it anyway. For example, enjoying a beer is not an addiction; compulsively drinking is, when it causes traffic accidents, domestic violence, loss of employment, liver disease, etc.

It is the same thing with sexual addiction. The person who compulsively watched Internet pornography, seeks out prostitutes, or meets strangers on-line for sex probably has a sexual addiction, in that his behavior starts to hurt him and others.

If you suspect you have a sexual addiction, then read up on it on-line. If you do have a sexual addiction, then you need to get help from a therapist and/or a support group.

High Triglyceride Levels and ED

If your doctor says you have high levels of triglycerides -- a condition called hypertriglyceridemia -- then this could have an impact on your sexual performance. Research shows that triggering this condition in rats causes sexual problems.

The good news is that in the same experiment, treatment with a drug (fenofibrate) and with fish oil reduced the hypertriglyceridemia and improved sexual response. So, if you have high levels triglycerides, get it treated. You can take fenofibrate (found in the drug TriLipix) or you can take fish oil (available in any supermarket).

My only suggestion with fish oil is to take at least 1000 mg. Check the label - many capsules say 1000 mg but only give you 200 mg of actual stuff.

Here's a link to the study, if you are interested: LINK HERE

Available in the Next Few Days: We Are Offering Our Own Formula for Men!

Yes, after researching the topic of men's sexual health and erection science for many years, I have finally developed my own formula, which I will be selling through this web site.

We are very excited about this new project - our first attempt to move beyond merely reporting on good science to actually offering a product. I hope to be able to provide final information in the next few days...lots of details...

But rest assured that our product is science-based, safe, and worth trying! We look forward to getting your feedback!

Simple Idea: Take a Sauna for Sexual Health!

Here's an idea for improved sexual health: Take a sauna! I've found an article that describes how "sauna therapy" -- that is, regularly taking a sauna -- raises levels of a chemical in the body called BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin), which is a key factor in the release of nitric oxide from arginine.

So, if you want healthier blood vessels (and healthier erections) -- take a sauna regularly!

Link to this article: CLICK HERE.

For more information on BH4 and blood vessels, read this: CLICK HERE.

Can You Suggest Other Good Sexual Health Sites?

I have been running this blog for about 3 years now...and I have never found anyone who is doing the same thing that I am -- reviewing the medical literature for herbs and drugs that support sexual health.

Can anyone recommend another site or blog that provides such information? I'd like to see what other sites are doing. Thanks.

Another Easily Obtained Product That Relaxes Blood Vessels: Melatonin?

By the way, this is my 250th posting on male sexual health! Make sure you read all my earlier blog entries -- lots of useful information.

Today's finding: a study that suggests melatonin, a product found at most pharmacies or health food stores, may help blood vessels relax -- which, theoretically, could contribute to stronger erections. Further, the authors of the study suggest that these results may be associated with the nitric oxide system (same as Viagra).

This study was done in hypertensive rats, so the findings don't necessarily apply to humans; but it suggests that this easily obtained product may be with considering for producing healthier blood vessels (and thus better erections).

Anyone who considers trying melatonin should be aware that it is used as a sleep product; it may causes drowsiness, which may reduce its effectiveness as an aphrodisiac.

Here is a link to the original study: CLICK HERE.

L-Norvaline: Maybe Some Effect

I have been taking L-Norvaline (200 mg, twice a day) and I think there may be an accumulative effect. That is, it may be seeping into my system, and I feel there may be some sexual health benefit. This is very subjective, of course. But maybe a higher dose or longer treatment is required to show benefit.

However, I received a message from a reader of this blog who said he has tried it for asthma, and found no benefit. Here is my experience:

While asthma is a very odd disorder and poorly understood, I can report that I used to have a lot of mucus in my lungs/throat every day. I started taking L-Norvaline, and now it seems to have disappeared. This is of course subjective, as it may have resolved on its own; but now I get this dry sensation in my throat.

Restless Legs and Erectile Dysfunction: Why the Obessesion With Dopamine?

An article in the current issue of the scientific publication Sleep reports that men with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have a higher likelihood of developing erectile dysfunction (ED).

The authors speculate that the common cause of both conditions is problems with the neurotransmitter dopamine. But it's also possible that nitric oxide issues are involved.

I mention this because I gave my girlfriend arginine the last time she had restless legs, and it seemed to help pretty quickly. I also am trying L-Norvaline on her condition to see what happens.

Here is the citation, in case you want to read the article on RLS and ED:

Citation: Gao X; Schwarzschild MA; O’Reilly EJ; Wang H; Ascherio A. Restless legs syndrome and erectile dysfunction. SLEEP 2010;33(1):75-79

Arginase Inhibitor Norvaline

Well, I received some Norvaline and I have tried taking it, but so far I can't see any effect.

This may parallel the results seen in a recent study, which found very small benefit from using arginase inhibitors. Of course, it may be that a large dose is needed. Here is a study on the lack of benefits from arginase inhibitors, from The World Journal of Urology:

Effects of arginase inhibitors on the contractile and relaxant responses of isolated human penile erectile tissue

Abstract

Objectives An impairment in the local availability of nitric oxide (NO) may impair male erectile function. The activity of l-arginine-degrading arginase enzymes may attenuate the relaxation of cavernous smooth muscle by reducing local NO production. Arginase enzymes compete with the nitric oxide synthases for the common substrate, the amino acid l-arginine. Very little data are available regarding the significance of arginase enzymes in the control of human penile erectile tissue. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of drugs known to inhibit arginase activity on the relaxation of isolated human corpus cavernosum (HCC) and the production of cyclic GMP.

Methods Using the organ bath technique, the effects of the arginase inhibitors DFMO, H-Orn-OH·HCl, H-lle-OH and nor-NOHA (10 nM–10 μM) on the tension induced by NE (1 μM) and the relaxation induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) of HCC were investigated. HCC strips were also exposed to increasing concentrations of the compounds, and the production of cGMP was determined by means of a radioimmunoassay.

Results Only marginal effects of the arginase inhibitors were registered on the tension induced by NE and the relaxation exerted by EFS. Mean reversion of tension ranged from 18 to 8%. Only DFMO and nor-NOHA amplified the EFS-induced relaxation by 11 and 29%, respectively. These effects were not paralleled by an increase in tissue levels of cGMP.

Conclusion Arginase inhibitors appeared to be ineffective in reversing the adrenergic tension and increasing the electrically induced relaxation of isolated HCC.

Here's a link to the study: CLICK HERE

More On Arginase Inhibitors

As noted the last few days, I have uncovered some dramatic new clues on improving sexual health. The new finding is about arginase, an enzyme that is increased with age and other conditions that can lead to blood vessel disorders, asthma, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Now I am finding studies that support the idea that inhibiting arginase restores blood vessel health. Here is an abstract from the Journal of Applied Physiology:

There is increasing evidence that upregulation of arginase contributes to impaired endothelial function in aging. In this study, we demonstrate that arginase upregulation leads to endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and that in vivo chronic inhibition of arginase restores nitroso-redox balance, improves endothelial function, and increases vascular compliance in old rats. Arginase activity in old rats was significantly increased compared with that shown in young rats. Old rats had significantly lower nitric oxide (NO) and higher superoxide (O2(-)) production than young. Acute inhibition of both NOS, with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, and arginase, with 2S-amino- 6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH), significantly reduced O2(-) production in old rats but not in young. In addition, the ratio of eNOS dimer to monomer in old rats was significantly decreased compared with that shown in young rats. These results suggest that eNOS was uncoupled in old rats. Although the expression of arginase 1 and eNOS was similar in young and old rats, inducible NOS (iNOS) was significantly upregulated. Furthermore, S-nitrosylation of arginase 1 was significantly elevated in old rats.

These findings support our previously published finding that iNOS nitrosylates and activates arginase 1 (Santhanam et al., Circ Res 101: 692-702, 2007). Chronic arginase inhibition in old rats preserved eNOS dimer-to-monomer ratio and significantly reduced O2(-) production and enhanced endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation to ACh. In addition, ABH significantly reduced vascular stiffness in old rats. These data indicate that iNOS-dependent S-nitrosylation of arginase 1 and the increase in arginase activity lead to eNOS uncoupling, contributing to the nitroso-redox imbalance, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular stiffness observed in vascular aging. We suggest that arginase is a viable target for therapy in age-dependent vascular stiffness.