Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED)? Statistics show that 5% of men 40+ years old have total erectile dysfunction. This is a common condition that many men experience in some way or another. There are several possible treatments including prescription medicines and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies like arginine amino acid benefits. This is a non-essential amino acid (NEAA) since the body produces it naturally. However, you can also get the amino from foods like meat, chicken, whole grains, soybeans, and dairy. Like other amino acid supplements, various studies have been done to study the claimed benefits of the amino acid. Like other claimed health benefits it’s critical to separate fact from fiction about arginine for treating ED.
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that men often have during their lives. It’s not a health condition that should cause a man to panic. However, if it is continuous then it could be a sign of a serious condition. Besides the physical effects, it can also cause other problems like high stressors, low self-esteem, and relationship problems. It’s important to find out what’s causing the condition whether it’s physical or mental. Afterward, there are various treatments including OTC and prescription options. Treating ED effectively can provide benefits that boost one’s sexual health and self-confidence.
What Exactly Is Erectile Dysfunction?
The condition erectile dysfunction (ED) is also known as impotence. It involves a man being unable to achieve and maintain an erection that’s strong enough for sexual activity. It’s not unusual to have a problem maintaining an erection from time to time.
That said, it’s a different issue if ED is a constant issue. In that case, it can cause several possible issues like high stress and low self-confidence. In some cases, ED can be a sign of a major health condition that requires medical treatment.
Men who are concerned about having ED should talk to their doctor about it. This can be tough since it’s such a personal issue. However, even if you’re embarrassed it’s critical to talk to your physician about it. Sometimes treating the root cause of the ED can help to reverse it.
There are various signs that you’re experiencing ED. They include symptoms like low sex drive, and problems getting/maintaining an erection. If you’re experiencing these symptoms you should get it checked out immediately. Your doctor can help to figure out if there are any signs/symptoms that point to a particular health condition.
It’s important to see a doctor about this condition. One of the reasons is the ED could be linked to other health conditions like heart disease. These are serious diseases so if you haven’t been diagnosed it’s important to check if you already have the serious disease.
There are several causes of ED. It’s related to the more complex process of male libido (sex drive). This process involves various things like:
- Hormones
- Nerves
- Blood vessels
- Muscles
- Brain
Besides the physical aspects of erectile dysfunction, it can also involve mental health issues and stress levels. These conditions can become worse due to ED. In fact, sometimes it’s a combo of physical/psychological issues that trigger ED. For example, anxiety can cause ED and vice-versa.
Arginine Amino acid Benefits: Erectile Dysfunction?
This amino acid can reportedly provide several health benefits. If you have erectile dysfunction you might be wondering whether or not it can treat it effectively. L-arginine is one of the amino acids that you can get through dietary supplements.
The amino acid is often used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions related to heart health. Many people claim that arginine can also effectively treat ED.
This greatly based on the claims from several websites that L-arginine is a natural/holistic (whole-body) treatment that’s an alternative to ED drugs. These include options like Viagra, Cialis, and others.
These prescription drugs can certainly be effective in treating ED. However, they can also cause unwanted side-effects due to their strong chemicals. This can make a bad situation worse when you’re already dealing with ED.
The problem is there’s little proof from studies that arginine can help to treat ED effectively. Multiple studies have been done about this possible benefit of the amino acid. However, they’ve produced mixed results. That said, the amino acid is still likely to provide various health benefits based on other studies.
This isn’t to say that arginine definitely can’t treat ED effectively. It’s just that more research is needed. For example, one 1999 study discovered that the amino acid wasn’t more effective versus other treatments in dealing with impotence versus a fake pill.
Meanwhile, another 2003 study showed that arginine when used with prescription medicine actually boosted sexual function among men with ED. If you’re planning to use the amino acid to treat ED you shouldn’t use it as a substitute for prescription drugs like Viagra.
More research is definitely needed. While some studies show it has the possibility of helping to treat ED it’s not clear that’s the case. More research is needed to determine whether or not it’s an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Other Possible Benefits of Arginine
Healing
There’s some evidence that the amino acid might help to speed up wound healing. This is important because it can cause a lot of health problems. You might be able to deal with this situation effectively with arginine supplements. It can help boost your body’s immune system and thus provide faster wound-healing.
Blood Circulation
This is critical for various functions. It allows your heart to provide the body/brain with important nutrients from blood. It can also help to improve the process of waste removal from the bloodstream. This is also critical because it helps to remove waste/toxins that could cause health issues.
Kidney Function
It’s possible the amino acid can improve the kidney function of people who have experienced heart failure. These are vital organs so it’s critical to keep them functioning properly. Arginine might help with the process.
Heart Disease
This is the top cause of death throughout the world. There are various “markers” including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type-2 diabetes. If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease then it’s critical to watch for these conditions since they can boost your risk of heart disease itself. Treating the conditions can also help to lower the risk of other conditions.
High Blood Sugar
This health condition is becoming more common due to the modern diet. If you suffer from type-2 diabetes you might benefit from L-arginine amino acid. If your condition becomes bad enough it could lead to insulin resistance. That, in turn, could develop into prediabetes and diabetes.
High Blood Pressure
This condition is quite common with about one-quarter of the world suffering from high blood pressure. This is due to various factors including a high-sodium diet, lack of exercise, and stress levels. Some studies show that L-arginine might help with this condition. Lowering blood pressure can also help reduce heart disease risk as one of the arginine amino acid benefits.