Erectile dysfunction - Natural remedies and relation with obesity, alcohol and diabetes

Erectile dysfunction or impotence is the inability of a person to get an adequate erection for the purpose of sexual activity. A person is unable to maintain erection for the amount of time required for a satisfying sexual activity. Typically, erectile dysfunction (ED) affects men 65 years and above, but this is not a given. It is a condition that can affect a man, at any point in his life.

Erectile dysfunction and natural remedies

There are various natural remedies for erectile dysfunction that have been seen to be an effective treatment option.

L-arginine: This is a natural amino acid that helps make nitric oxide (NO). NO is a substance that relaxes the smooth muscles of the penis and dilates its blood vessels. This helps the blood to flow into the soft penile tissues resulting in an erection. The substance naturally occurs in meat, fish and poultry products and is also available as a natural supplement.

Gingko: This herb has been used for treatment of ED through the ages. Its effect on the penile muscles and blood vessels is the same as that of NO, and it improves the flow of blood to the penis.

Zinc: If your body experiences significant reduction of zinc, it leads to erectile dysfunction. Zinc is considered an important mineral for maintaining and improving the general sexual health of a person. If you suffer from ED, a diet with increased zinc content or an intake of zinc supplement can help you immeasurably.

ED and obesity

Erection and its maintenance is a result of a highly complex process whose components include hormones, blood vessels, nerves, sensory information and sexual stimulation. The successful interaction of these components leads to an erection. Obesity and ED are linked with each other through a common factor called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is an imbalance between the levels of glucose and insulin in the blood. This is the result of a person gaining excess weight or obesity. If a man is overweight, this excess weight exerts extra pressure on the cardiovascular system. The delicate balance, thus required to achieve an erection gets disrupted leading to problems similar to erectile dysfunction. Obesity also increases the chances of a person suffering from various forms of cardiovascular diseases, which in turn are a causative factor behind ED.

ED and alcoholism

Various studies conducted have proven that ED and various other sexual problems are a result of a high intake of alcohol. Typically, consumption of alcohol over the long term in large quantities affects many of the body tissues. It leads to many bodily changes as there are various chemical changes occurring inside the body. Sexual difficulties like ED are the norm if a man is alcoholic. Even in a sober state, an alcoholic man is liable to suffering from ED. Due to a result of long-standing alcoholism; there is also a decrease in testosterone output, which affects the general sexual health of a person. Also, a sexual partner wouldn't be interested in sex with a drunken partner.

ED and diabetes

Erectile dysfunction is one of the common sexual disorders affecting diabetic men. A person suffering from diabetic angiopathy suffers from ED as a result of damage to blood vessels. A damage to the blood vessels means that there won’t be a proper inflow of blood to the penile regions. This results in erectile dysfunction. A person suffering from diabetic neuropathy shows symptoms of erectile dysfunction damage to the nerves. One of the common ways of treating erectile dysfunction or any other type of sexual dysfunction suffered by a diabetic is by controlling the levels of glucose in his body. Also, the treatment options depend on the specific sexual dysfunction.