What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. In such cases, the male will be unable to keep the erection firm enough for intercourse. At any age, ED is considered an abnormality. It may also be due to other causes that interfere with sex life, like lack of desire or ejaculation, or orgasm issues. ED may not be considered a part of getting old. Even though older men require more stimulation, they should still be able to attain a complete erection and enjoy the whole episode of sexual intercourse.
What Are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Many factors can cause ED. Some of them are:
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Vascular Disease: Due to conditions like atherosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessels), the blood flow to the penis may get reduced or obstructed.
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Neurological Disorders: Due to stroke (decreased blood flow to the brain), diabetes (increased blood sugar level), or other causes, the nerves that send messages to the penis may get damaged.
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Psychological Causes: Depression, stress, or performance anxiety are some psychological states that cause ED.
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Trauma: Trauma or injury can also cause ED.
What Is L-Arginine?
L-arginine is an amino acid that helps produce protein in the body. Amino acids are molecules in the body that combine with others and form a chain. Amino acid chains can produce protein. Every cell in the body contains protein, and protein is necessary for growth and development. L-arginine is found in natural food sources like nuts, fish, and meat. Even though the body can produce the amino acid, getting it through the food consumed is essential. The letter ‘L’ in L-arginine indicates the chemical nature known as ‘levorotatory .’L’ also designates that it gets easily absorbed into the body.
What Are the Sources of L-Arginine?
Foods that have a high protein content usually contain L-arginine. Some of the sources are:
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Meat: Red meat, turkey, and chicken.
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Fish: Salmon and haddock.
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Seeds: Pumpkin seeds.
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Nuts: Almonds, cashews.
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Legumes: Soybeans, chickpeas.
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Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, yogurt.
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Whole Grains: Oats, brown rice.
How Effective Is L-Arginine in Improving Erectile Dysfunction?
L-arginine alone in low doses may not improve the symptoms of ED. L-arginine, when combined with other medications or given in increased dosage, has shown benefits in managing ED. In addition, L-arginine, when combined with different supplements, has various benefits. For example, L-arginine, when combined with yohimbine hydrochloride or yohimbine (approved medication for ED), has shown promising benefits in improving erectile dysfunction. But ED, which is in a severe stage, may not benefit from this combination of supplements.
Another herbal supplement, Pycnogenol, when combined with L-arginine, has also shown benefits. It also did not cause any side effects caused by ED medications. Pycnogenol is derived from the bark of the pine tree called Pinus pinaster. The supplement contains grape seed extract, peanut skin extract, and witch hazel bark extract. L-arginine supplements are available in two different forms- a fluid that can be injected into the vein through an IV (intravenous) route and capsules or tablets that can be taken orally.
What Are the Available Strengths of L-Arginine Supplements?
The dosage or strength of L-arginine supplements differs with the brand or the manufacturing company. The specifications will be marked on the label of the supplement. Six grams to a maximum of thirty grams per day is the average dosage of L-arginine. The daily doses can be divided into three dosages so that the amount taken will not exceed the maximum. Taking more than the maximum dosage of L-arginine should be avoided. Taking over-the-counter L-arginine should be done under the advice of a healthcare provider. The doctor may also suggest taking L-arginine intravenously.
How to Take L-Arginine?
An adequate amount of L-arginine can be given to the body by consuming foods rich in the amino acid. Taking foods high in protein helps incorporate the required amount of L-arginine. The healthcare provider may ask to take over-the-counter supplements if the person is not getting an adequate amount of L-arginine through the diet. L-arginine supplements can be orally taken by knowing the strength of the supplement by reading the label carefully. Getting advice from the healthcare provider about the brand, strength, and type of supplement to be consumed is also essential. The healthcare provider will monitor the procedure when administering the supplement through the intravenous route. Providing intravenous supplements will be done in a healthcare facility.
How Long Will It Take for an L-Arginine Supplement to Work?
The time taken for the supplement to show its effects depends on the reason for taking it and the dosage. It also depends on the route through which supplementation is provided. It takes about 24 hours for the body to absorb L-arginine. However, in some cases, getting the complete benefits of L-arginine may take up to three months.
What Are the Side Effects of Taking L-Arginine?
The side effects of the supplement are:
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Diarrhea.
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Bloating.
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Nausea.
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Vomiting.
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Dizziness.
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Allergic reactions like itching, rashes, or hives.
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Breathing difficulty.
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Tightness of chest.
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Heart failure.
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Altered blood sugar level.
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Increased risk of bleeding.
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Potassium imbalance in the body.
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Decreased blood pressure.
Why Is It Necessary to Consult the Doctor Before Taking L-Arginine?
It is essential to consult the doctor before taking L-arginine supplements. L-arginine can interact with other medications that the patient may already be taking. For example, the supplement interacts with ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors like Benazepril, alpha-blockers like Prazosin, beta-blockers like Labetalol, and vitamins like fish oil. It can also cause interactions if the patient has certain health conditions. For example, L-arginine should not be taken if the patient recently had a heart attack.
Conclusion:
Mild to moderate erectile dysfunction can be treated by taking specific doses of L-arginine alone or in combination with other supplements. It is vital to know about the type of erectile dysfunction one has, the food sources of L-arginine, and the need to take supplements before starting. Taking medical advice is also essential.
