Back in the saddle without Viagra: New research gives hope to men with sexual dysfunction

One of the advantages that's come out of patent medication manufacturers, cashing in on the growing number of men with erectile dysfunction (ED), is that they've made a sensitive subject easier to discuss openly. But that's where the silver-lining ends.

Predictably, these "cures" including Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, all carry a significant risk of adverse effects, such as vision loss and headaches. In addition, they all have a very narrow focus: Improvement of erectile function. They're not for everyday use and they certainly don't improve overall health on a daily basis.

For obvious reasons though, even the most health-conscious man is likely to turn a blind eye to the negative effects of such medications. But there are safer, natural options that can do the same thing. Viagra and the other similar medications work by inhibiting the breakdown of nitric oxide, a substance key to dilating blood vessels.

If nitric oxide breaks down more slowly, blood vessels stay dilated longer, allowing more blood flow to the necessary areas, which in turn improves the ability to get and maintain erections. Since our bodies make nitric oxide from the amino acid L-arginine, taking L-arginine as a supplement offers a natural way to raise your levels, which benefits the blood vessels all around the body, not just those in the genital area.

There's also research supporting the use of infrared saunas to significantly boost nitric oxide production. Most men can safely take L-arginine every day. However, a small number of men break out with herpes simplex when using it. (If that happens, stop using L -arginine and consult your doctor.)

But erectile dysfunction isn't just about nitric oxide.

There are other equally important factors that come into play - factors the patent ED medications don't address at all, such as declining testosterone levels. Better than testosterone

When testosterone levels decrease, sexual dysfunction isn't the only result.

The chemical imbalance can lead to symptoms such as depression, fatigue and muscle weakness. But researchers specializing in male health and sexual function have reported that a combination of two safe natural metabolites - propionyl-L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine - are even more effective than testosterone in treating the depression, fatigue and sexual dysfunction that can be associated with male ageing.

It's not that testosterone doesn't work - in fact, the researchers reported that testosterone worked significantly better than a placebo. It's just that the combination of "carnitines" worked even better. (And since they're safe and effective alternatives to testosterone, the carnitines offer the perfect solution for men who have had prostate cancer and cannot take testosterone. More on that in paragraph three.)

The researchers randomly divided 120 men between the ages of 60 and 74 into three groups. The first group took 160mg of testosterone daily, the second group took 2 grams of propionyl-L-carnitine and 2 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine daily, and the third group took a placebo. Over the next six months, the men were given a variety of standardised tests. The results showed that the men in both the testosterone group and the carnitines group had significant improvement in depression and fatigue.

Both of these groups also exhibited significant improvement in blood flow velocity in the penis, nocturnal erections, and their International Index of Erectile Function scores.

However, even though testosterone had a significant effect, the carnitines were even more effective than the testosterone in two categories: Improving nocturnal erections and the International Index of Erectile Function score. None of the groups experienced significant side effects. After six months, when the men stopped taking either the testosterone or the carnitines (each man was taking one or the other but not both), the positive effects they had experienced diminished and nearly all measurements reverted to baseline.

The researchers concluded: "Testosterone and, especially, carnitines proved to be active 'drugs' for the therapy of symptoms associated with male ageing." (Of course, you and I know that testosterone, propionyl- L-carntine and acetyl-L-carnitine aren't drugs - they're naturally occurring substances.

Note: Bio-identical testosterone is only available via prescription from your doctor. A safe alternative for men who have (or have had) prostate cancer Poor sexual function is especially common in men who have had prostate cancer. For them, taking testosterone usually isn't an option because it could potentially stimulate cancer growth. (In fact, many are even given patent medications that reduce testosterone levels to zero or close to zero.)

This is really one of the very few instances where Viagra can be helpful. Of course, Viagra does nothing for other symptoms of low or no testosterone, including fatigue, depression and muscle weakness. But researchers have found that taking the carnitine combination mentioned above along with Viagra (when needed) provides significantly more improvement in sexual function for men in this situation than taking Viagra alone.2

And as a bonus, the combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine can improve your mood, alleviate fatigue and improve muscle strength and function, making up for many of the problems that go with low or absent testosterone (and which Viagra doesn't help at all).

The researchers studied men who had undergone a complete removal of the prostate gland to preserve nerve function (technically called a bilateral nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy). The men in the first group took a placebo, the men in the second group took acetyl-L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine, 2 grams of each daily, along with Viagra when needed, and the men in the third group took Viagra alone.

The researchers found that while only 7% (two of 29) in the placebo group were able to have satisfactory sexual intercourse, that number jumped to 51% (20 of 39) in the Viagra group and went up even higher - to 87% (28 of 32) - in the carnitines-plus- Viagra (when needed) group. According to the researchers, the group that took carnitines each day and Viagra when they needed it did better than the group that took only Viagra when it came to erectile function, sexual intercourse satisfaction, orgasm and general sexual well being.

Better sexual function in a single - natural - formula Acetyl-L-carnitine became available as an individual supplement more than a decade ago after research suggested that it might improve cognitive function. By contrast, propionyl-L-carnitine is not as widely available. Since studies show it improves heart and skeletal muscle function, you'll find it mainly through sports nutrition sources and from various online sources, although even those aren't abundant.

So although you can purchase the carnitines separately, I recommend buying them in combination. The best formula presently available is called PROPeL, which is a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, propionyl-L-carnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid. (Alpha-lipoic acid has been found to improve erectile function in lab animals.) PROPeL is available online through the Tahoma Clinic Dispensary (see "Alternative Health Resources" on page 8) and Life Enhancement Inc, www.life-enhancement.com, (800)543-3873. I work with both Tahoma Clinic Dispensary and Life Enhancement Inc. JVW More natural remedies for erectile dysfunction from around the globe Even today, most effective or semi-effective remedies for ED are traditional botanicals, and not ones newly found by "scientific" means. Since this issue has likely been around as long as man himself, plenty of research has been done (mostly through practical experience) for literally thousands of generations and has resulted in remedies from every continent on Earth (with the possible exception of Antarctica). From South America: Maca. From Europe: Avena sativa (wild oats) and Tribulus terrestis. From Asia: Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Ashwaganda, and horny goatweed. From North America: Panax quinquefolius ("American" ginseng). From Africa: Yohimbe. All of the botanicals are safe to combine with the carnitines mentioned earlier. And they all have even broader applications beyond potentially improving male sexual function. In varying degrees they're all adaptogens, natural substances that help you adapt to changes in your life and your environment, and which may increase stamina and physical capability. Adaptogens also help the body fight against stress and fatigue. Only yohimbe has been found to have a potentially problematic unwanted effect: hypertension. Talk to a doctor skilled and knowledgeable in natural medicine to see which herb or combination of herbs could work best for you.