Nutrition/Natural Medicine Update No 335 (August 21, 2024)

with Dr. James Meschino

Topic: Ex for ED: Exercise Improves Erectile Dysfunction as Much as Viagra: Natural and Effective Strategies to Maintain Male Sexual Function

Source: The Journal of Sexual Medicine (December 2023)

An important study was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in December of 2023 showing that regular aerobic exercise (30 minutes three times per week) improves erectile dysfunction scores in men to the same degree as using drugs like Viagra and Cialis. The researchers reviewed 11 randomized controlled trials involving 1100 men, where by 600 men were assigned to the intervention group, performing aerobic exercise 30-60 minutes three times per week and the other 500 men served as the placebo group (no formal aerobic exercise). The study clearly showed that the addition of aerobic exercise improved male sexual functioning to the same degree as using Viagra or Cialis-type drugs, regardless of body weight, overall health or concurrent medication use. And the worse the original erectile dysfunction score, the greater was the improvement with the addition of exercise. In other words, men with the most severe erectile dysfunction saw the greatest benefit.

This is not surprising, as aerobic exercise improves endothelial function, meaning that it prompts the secretion of nitric oxide from cells that line the blood vessels, allowing them to dilate, – which is the key step in generating an erection. Drugs like Viagra slow down the breakdown of nitric oxide, but these drugs do not increase the synthesis and release of nitric oxide, which is every bit as important. The improvement of endothelial function with aerobic exercise doesn’t just help with erections and sexual function, but it improves blood circulation throughout the entire body, reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.  It also burns fat and helps to prevent and reverse type diabetes, and it is shown to help reduce risk of dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease.

You may also want to know that there are some natural agents that can also increase nitric oxide release and to improve male sexual function in a number of ways. They are often combined into a single supplement formulation that would typically include:

• Tribulus Terrestris – std to 40-45% saponin content
• Muira Puama – 4:1 extract
• Maca Root – 4:1 extract
• Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium) – 20:1 extract
• Damiana – 4:1 extract
• Avena Sativa – 10:1 extract

The bottom line for today is that regular aerobic exercise is a key component of overall health, and it also helps to reverse and maintain more optimal sexual potency in men, proving once again that lifestyle medicine is good medicine. I have included the references for the exercise and erectile dysfunction study and the Medscape review in the text below.

References:

Khera M et al. Effect of aerobic exercise on erectile dysfunction: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2023, 20 (12): 1369-1375. https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/20/12/1369/7301709?login=false#420408836

Southwick C. Exercise as Good as Viagra for ED: Study. Medscape August 21, 2024. https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/997634 

Eat Smart, Live Well, Look Great,
Dr. Meschino