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Arginine and the effect on potency disorders

February 26, 2020 Isabell

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that has long been known in the fitness industry as a pump supplement due to its expanding effect. However, amino acids are not only used in the sports sector. People withcardiovascular diseases or potency disorders also benefit from taking L-Arginine. Find out exactly how arginine works for erection problems in today's blog post.

Table of contents:

What are erectile dysfunctions anyway?
How arginine works for erectile dysfunction
L-arginine vs. potency pills
Advantages and disadvantages of taking L-arginine and sexual enhancers
Combination with citrulline or pine bark extract

What are potency disorders anyway?

The medical term for potency or erectile dysfunction is „erectile dysfunction“. Erectile dysfunction is sexual dysfunction that lasts for at least six months and in which at least 70% of attempts at sexual intercourse are unsuccessful.

An erection requires interaction between the nervous system, blood vessels, hormones and the psyche. 80% of erectile dysfunctions are physical, only around 20% are psychological. Physical causes include circulatory disorders, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and obesity. Smoking, alcohol, certain medications and lack of exercise can also exacerbate erectile dysfunction. Therefore, the first therapeutic approach is to change your lifestyle (if necessary).

Potency disorders are often just a indication of a disease. For example, there may be a constriction of the blood vessels in the heart, resulting in impaired blood flow.

In Germany, around four million people suffer from erectile dysfunction. According to WHO estimates, around 150 million people worldwide are affected. However, the number of unreported cases is very high, as many men are ashamed to go to the doctor. The frequency of erectile dysfunction increases with age. Around half of 60-year-olds and around two thirds of 70-year-olds are affected.

How arginine works for erection problems

The amino acid is important in the body for the production of nitric oxide (abbreviated to NO). Nitric oxide relaxes the muscles and blood vessels and thus promotes blood flow throughout the entire body, including the sexual organs. An erection of the penis requires relaxation of the smooth muscle, which is triggered by NO. The effects of NO have been known for a long time: scientists R. Furchgott, L. Ignarro and F. Murad were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1998 for their research into the effects of nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system. A regular intake of arginine leads to high NO levels in the body.

If arginine is not present in the body in sufficient quantities due to stress or certain diseases, for example, this can lead to circulatory disorders, high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction. A study by Barassi et al. (2017) shows that a large proportion of people with erectile dysfunction have low arginine levels. Patients with arterial diseases in particular have low levels of this amino acid.

Improved blood flow also allows oxygen and nutrients to reach the organs more quickly. This also has positive effects on potency.

L-arginine vs. potency pills

Arginine supplementation has positive effects on blood circulation and therefore also on erectile dysfunction. However, it should be noted that a single dose of arginine does not have an immediate effect. Intake over a longer period (days to weeks) is necessary for arginine to develop its effect. In contrast, sexual enhancers such as Viagra work directly. However, the list of side effects when taking sexual enhancers is very long. They should therefore never be taken without medical advice.

Advantages and disadvantages of taking L-arginine and sexual enhancers

Arginine	Potency
natural	Single use
safe to take, as no serious side effects are known	Disadvantages: Side effects, prescription only, problematic with pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular disease
Over-the-counter
good for heart and circulation
Disadvantage: regular intake necessary

Important: Before taking arginine, please first discuss physical causes with the doctor treating you!

Combination with citrulline or pine bark extract

Various studies show that a combination of different active ingredients can improve the effect of arginine. It has been proven that citrulline enhances the effect of arginine. As a result, more NO can be formed in the body. This is why we have developed our combination product.

A combination with pine bark extract (antioxidant effect) also leads to an improved effect of L-arginine. A study by Stanislavov et al. (2003) shows that in men with erectile dysfunction, a combination of pine bark extract and arginine leads to a normal erection again after three months, without any side effects being observed. A study from 2015 also shows these results in comparison to the placebo group.

Pine bark extract leads to an increased expression of NO synthase, the enzyme that causes the formation of NO from arginine.

Sources:

Nutrition

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