You may have heard that specific vitamins help cure erectile dysfunction. If you are looking for some of the best vitamins, you may take, kindly read the complete article and grow your understanding. Take these magical vitamins directly from food sources or supplements as recommended by your doctor.
Table of Contents
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (also called impotence) is a common sexual problem that affects millions of men worldwide. So, what is erectile dysfunction or ED? It is a medical condition in which men become incapable of getting and maintaining their erections. The erection may not be firm enough or don’t sustain too long to satisfy sexual intercourse.
ED(1), despite being a very common sexual problem. It is a sensitive topic to discuss. Many men don’t even prefer to consult a doctor for this condition. This should not be done. ED prevents you from having pleasurable sex and sometimes signifies an impending heart attack or a stroke.
Most men experience erection problems at some point in their lifetime. Does it mean they have erectile dysfunction? No, experiencing erection problems once in a while is no big deal. It may arise due to work or family stress, relationship conflicts, performance anxiety, etc.
If you cannot get or maintain your erections for three months or more, consult a healthcare specialist right away.
Vitamins For ED (Erectile Dysfunction)
No doubt, oral medications (Cenforce, Viagra, Fildena, etc.) are among the most effective and proven treatments for erectile dysfunction. Making specific lifestyle changes like losing weight, smoking cessation, regular exercising, etc. is also known to cure ED in some cases. However, if you’re more into supplements, you may try specific vitamins listed below:
Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)
Research says that folic acid supplements’ daily intake can substantially reduce the hardening of arteries and improve blood circulation.
As cardiovascular diseases can be a significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction, improving the functioning of the heart with Vitamin B9 (or folic acid) can be advantageous. After all, adequate blood flow and circulation to the penis is vital in obtaining and sustaining erections.
A daily dose of vitamin B9 also acts as a mood stabilizer and may improve premature ejaculation and stress-induced erectile dysfunction. However, more evidence is required to comprehend the effectiveness of this vitamin for erectile dysfunction.
Read: Vidalista 20
Following are the foods rich in Vitamin B9:
- Leafy greens, including kale, spinach, etc.
- Broccoli
- Legumes including beans, lentils, and peas
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Brussels sprouts
- Citrus fruits
- Papaya
- Bananas
- Eggs
- Beets
- Cereals, pasta, and rice
Hold on! You must not consume too much folic acid as it may cause you to develop specific side effects.
Some of the most common side effects associated with a high intake of folic acid are listed below:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Depression
- Restlessness
Read: NoFap Benefits
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3, also called Niacin(2), is a very few vitamins that have promising evidence regarding its efficacy for improving erectile function. However, the sample size of the existing research is tiny. So, more research incorporating larger sample sizes is required to draw any conclusion.
Vitamin B3 is also known to control high blood pressure, and at times, is also used to treat high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries. All these health conditions are causal factors for erectile dysfunction. If your doctor finds out that any of these problems is the underlying cause for your ED, you may take Niacin and cure your condition.
If you wish to obtain Niacin naturally from food, consider including the following foods in your diet:
- Turkey
- Tuna
- Chicken breast
- Liver
- Mushrooms
- Green peas
- Avocado
Like folic acid, excess intake of Niacin may also cause specific side effects.
One of the most common side effects is – flushing of the skin. Other side effects include:
- Nausea
- Blurry vision
- Gout
- Liver issues
To avoid these side effects, starting with a minimal dosage of vitamin B3 can help. Know how your body reacts to it, and then gradually increase the dose if necessary.
Read: Semen Retention Benefits
Vitamin D
Several studies have found that a vast majority of people who have erectile dysfunction are also deficient in vitamin D. One recent study revealed that healthy vitamin D levels could enhance testosterone levels, thus boosting erectile function.
Still, further research is required to comprehend the effectiveness of vitamin D for erectile dysfunction. Although vitamin D deficiency has no direct link with erectile dysfunction, supplementing this nutrient can be beneficial in many other ways. In case you are deficient in vitamin D, incrementing your vitamin D levels can help boost your bone health and immune system.
Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, and therefore this particular nutrient is also called the “sunshine vitamin.”
Apart from it, some other rich sources of vitamin D are:
- Egg yolks
- Mushrooms
- Fatty fish and seafood including salmon, shrimp, tuna, mackerel, oysters, and sardines
Vitamin D hardly causes side effects, although if you have consumed too much, you may have extreme side effects, including:
- Issues with heart rhythm
- Kidney damage
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
All of us are aware that vitamin C is one of the most vital nutrients we require, but it’s good for your erections too! Antioxidants increase the production of nitric oxide and prohibit its breakdown. Although vitamin C doesn’t release nitric oxide directly, it may support the biochemical pathways required for its release.
There is no significant evidence for the efficacy of vitamin C in treating erectile dysfunction. However, adequate levels of vitamin C have numerous benefits, as well. It is essential for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. So, there’s no harm giving it a shot. At the minimum, you’ll get an improved immune system!
Following foods are rich in vitamin C, try incorporating them in your diet:
- Citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruit, etc.
- Berries, including blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.
- Watermelon
- Spinach and other leafy green vegetables
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Cruciferous vegetables including cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts
L-arginine
Nitric oxide is known to expand blood vessels, thereby enhancing blood flow and blood circulation. A naturally-occurring amino acid called L-arginine helps improve the levels of nitric acid in the body. Supplementing with L-arginine will increase the amount of nitric oxide in your body and help you achieve firm erections that will last longer.
There is good evidence of L-arginine’s effectiveness for erectile dysfunction in men who have low nitric oxide levels in their system. However, if your levels are adequate, this supplement may prove ineffective for you.
Some of the L-arginine rich foods are listed below:
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- Pumpkin or squash seeds
- Seaweed
- Watermelon
- Meat including chicken, pork, beef, and turkey
Should You Try Vitamins For Erectile Dysfunction Rather Than ED pills?
As compared to the ED pills, we don’t have much evidence regarding the effectiveness of vitamins for erectile dysfunction. Still, in some cases, doctors recommend taking these vitamins. For instance, you may be told to take one or more of these supplements along with your prescription medicines. Please do not accept them if your healthcare specialist doesn’t recommend it for you.