Erectile Dysfunction
and Nitric Oxide
All about the miracle molecule
Nitric Oxide has been called the miracle molecule in the medical profession.
It's what's termed as a biological regulator, as it regulates and protects our cardiovascular system against damage and ageing. Discover the benefits of improving Nitric Oxide in your body as a measure to help you overcome Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
Find out more how MansMatters can help you.
Contact us for a free 20-minute consultation with our men's health specialists.
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Erectile Dysfunction and Nitric Oxide
In order to have an erection the Corpus Cavernosum has to fill with blood. Nitric Oxide (NO) enters the penis in the middle illustration allowing it to relax and allow the inflow of blood. Finally in the illustration on the left the penis is shown filled with blood as it becomes erect.
The cells in arteries and veins produce Nitric Oxide to sustain the health of your heart and blood vessels which they do by preserving good arterial elasticity.
Lack of arterial elasticity makes it difficult for blood to flow into the penis to allow a rigid erection and to maintain it if the blood cannot stay there.
Nitric Oxide was discovered over 30-years ago by Dr. Louis Ignarro who became a Nobel Prize Winner in 1998 for his work on the importance of Nitric Oxide to enable a healthy lifestyle. It was named The Molecule of the Year in the December 1992 issue of the journal Science.
How We Treat ED
We use modern non-invasive treatment procedures to improve Nitric Oxide and provide long-term solutions for ED. Focused shockwave therapy is at the heart of our unique treatment combination. Shockwave therapy utilises special shockwaves to improve the blood flow in the penile tissues.
This therapy is capable of generating new blood vessels, breaking down penile plaques and improving Nitric Oxide. The effectiveness of shockwave therapy is further increased when we provide this therapy to ED patients alongside EMTT therapy.
Extracorporeal MagnetoTransduction Therapy (EMTT) is a modern non-invasive ED treatment option which further improves Nitric Oxide and ED. This procedure involves using a probe over a penis, creating a strong magnetic field in the endothelial cells within the blood vessels, which makes them more dynamic, quickens the healing process, improves the intercellular connectivity, and further improves the blood flow in the penile tissues.
None of these therapies are invasive or painful.
Find out more how MansMatters can help you.
Contact us for a free 20-minute consultation with our men's health specialists.
Arrange a Free Telephone Consultation
Book a Treatment or Diagnosis
Receive More Information
Nitric Oxide in Erections
Not to be confused with laughing gas or nitrous oxide (N2O), Nitric Oxide is the smallest, lightest molecule and the first gas known to act as a carrier of important information in the nervous system.
In males, it is the messenger that translates sexual excitement into an erect penis. Key pelvic nerves receive a message from the brain and make Nitric Oxide in response. NO then dilates blood vessels throughout the important parts of the penis, blood rushes in and the penis becomes erect.
It was as a result of this research that pharmaceutical companies began exploring the opportunity to create drugs that would imitate the action of NO and as a result ‘little blue pills' were created that enabled men to have erections boosted by NO. Unfortunately, as many men discover, the effect of these pills wanes over time and in any case, intercourse needs to be planned to take advantage of them rather than a man being able to enjoy spontaneous erections when sexually aroused.
NO production is natural when younger and depletes as you grow older, the American Heart Association has detailed the association between ageing and reduced Nitric Oxide production. At the age of 55-years, your body produces just 30% of the Nitric Oxide that it produced when you were 21. NO is also involved in various illnesses, for example a quarter of all Type 2 diabetics have NO problems.
Nitric Oxide and erectile dysfunction are inextricably linked so when you visit MansMatters, we test for Nitric Oxide using saliva test strips. These change colour depending on your level of NO and we have found that most patients with Erectile Dysfunction have low NO.
4 Natural Ways to Boost and Support
Nitric Oxide Levels
Rather than take ‘little blue pills' to achieve erections, you should look at lifestyle and diet changes to help with your problems.
Eat High-Quality Protein
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and these promote the production of Nitric Oxide. The best sources of amino acids are obtained from animal proteins such as poultry, beef, fish, and eggs. These animal proteins are the most easily absorbed by your body.
Eat Vegetables High in Nitrates
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, fennel, radishes, Chinese cabbage, parsley, and celery, contain high levels of nitrates. When consumed, nitrates are converted into Nitric Oxide. Beetroot is also high in delivering NO and we talk about this later.
Take Regular Exercise
The production of NO significantly increases when you take physical exercise. Just going for a walk or climbing stairs will help or you can try more energetic exercise such as running, cycling, or swimming.
Use Nitric Oxide Supplements
Nitric Oxide supplements don't contain NO but rather the ingredients that help form Nitric Oxide naturally in your body. Two of the most common of these are amino acids such as L-arginine, naturally found in red meat, poultry, fish and dairy and, L-citrulline. Watermelon is one of the best food sources for L-citrulline, so you may prefer to eat this rather than take it as a supplement.
Vitamins C and E, as well as alpha lipoic acid, also help to boost Nitric Oxide production.
Food Sources that Support the Production of Nitric Oxide
Beetroot Juice
This is probably the most important, with studies showing that drinking 100 ml of beetroot juice significantly increases Nitric Oxide levels.
It is a popular supplement for all types of athletes. For example:
- It improved times by 2.8% in trained cyclists conducting cycle ergometry tests over 4-kilometers.
- Trained runners ran 5% faster in the later part of a 5000-metre race having consumed beetroot juice 90-minutes prior tothe race.
While no studies have been undertaken for it, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that Borscht Soup helps in maintaining a healthy heart and increasing NO levels.
Garlic
Garlic can boost NO levels, by activating Nitric Oxide synthase. This is the enzyme that aids in the conversion of Nitric Oxide from the amino acid L-arginine
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols. These Cocoa flavanols can stimulate the widening of the blood vessels by improving NO production. Additionally, dark chocolate has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Just eating 30 grams of dark chocolate each day has been found to increase Nitric Oxide levels in the blood.
Vitamin C & Citrus Fruits
Vitamin C can enhance levels of Nitric Oxide by increasing its absorption in the body. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit are also excellent sources of vitamin C.
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are high in L-arginine (see above).
Managing Your Nitric Oxide Levels
Manage Stress
Increased stress such as anxiety and depression lower NO levels, while lower NO levels increase stress. Nitric Oxide assists in reducing anxiety and depression partly because it reduces both inflammation and oxidative stress.
Nose Breathing
The way you breathe makes a big difference in NO Production. Breathing through the nose enables NO production in the nasal cavity. Breathing through your mouth provides no NO production benefit.
Avoid Anti-bacterial Mouth Wash
Anti-bacterial mouthwash reduces nitrate levels and in turn NO levels. Switch to a natural mouthwash instead. Some research has shown that using mouthwash for only one week caused a more than 25 mmHg increase in blood pressure.You need nitrate reducing bacteria in your mouth to benefit from the nitrates we receive from eating green leafy vegetables. Without supplements, at least 50% of your daily Nitric Oxide production will come from what you eat and the action of oral bacteria.
Change Your Toothpaste
Studies have shown that fluoride in toothpaste suppresses Nitric Oxide synthesis. Most toothpastes now contain fluoride and if you are worried about your NO production perhaps you should experiment with non-fluoride toothpastes.
As mentioned earlier, when you visit MansMatters we will measure your Nitric Oxide levels as part of our treatment protocol. The combination of therapies that we will then undertake will boost your immediate NO levels and we will discuss with you what steps as outlined above you should adhere to after your course of treatment has finished.
Everything starts with a 20-minute consultation – Book yours today.
Erectile Dysfunction and Nitric Oxide FAQs
Is There Any Relationship In Obtaining an Erection and Nitric Oxide?
Most certainly. When a man gets sexually excited, his pelvic nerves receive a message from the brain and produce Nitric Oxide in response. Nitric Oxide is responsible for the dilation of blood vessels in the penis, which enables blood flow in the penile tissues and enabling the penis to become erect.
Can a Lack of Nitric Oxide Contribute to the Development of ED in Men?
A lack of nitric oxide is a very common cause of ED in men. Due to the lack of Nitric Oxide, arterial elasticity is decreased which impairs the blood flow in the penile tissues, which are vital for strong erections. Maintaining a strong erection also becomes really difficult if the Nitric Oxide level is lower than necessary.
What Are the Other Common Risk Factors for ED?
ED can occur as a result of a wide range of physical and psychological issues. Common risk factors for ED include, ageing, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, stress, and depression.
How Can I Boost my Nitric Oxide Level?
Your Nitric Oxide level can be boosted by leading a healthy lifestyle and eating a healthy diet. Certain supplements can help in boosting the Nitric Oxide level in the body. Furthermore, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C and E can also greatly boost the levels of Nitric Oxide. But you might need to do more than this which is why you should seek specialist advice.
How Do You Maintain a Healthy Nitric Oxide Level?
To maintain a healthy Nitric Oxide level, it’s very important to eat a nutritious diet as outlined in the previous question and undertake physical exercise regularly. Physical exercise such as such as walking, running, or swimming can greatly increase the production of your Nitric Oxide level.
What Types of Food Can You Recommend for the Production of Nitric Oxide?
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, parsley, radishes, etc. and foods that are high in protein are known to significantly increase the production of Nitric Oxide in the body. Beetroot juice, nuts and seeds, garlic, dark chocolate, and citrus fruits are also highly effective in increasing the Nitric Oxide level in the blood.
Can Anti-bacterial Mouthwash Have a Negative Effect on my Nitric Oxide Level?
While it may seem surprising, anti-bacterial mouthwash can negatively impact the Nitric Oxide level of the body. Both nitrate levels and Nitric Oxide levels can be reduced by the usage of anti-bacterial mouthwash. That’s why it’s better to use a more natural mouthwash instead.
How do You Treat ED in Men?
We use revolutionary non-invasive treatments to treat ED. Our treatment protocol consists of shockwave therapy, EMTT therapy, NanoVi and the Tesla Chair. All these treatments are completely safe and non-invasive and have no negative side-effects whatsoever.
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