By Steve Blechman

A new study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, January 13th, 2023  on heart disease and erectile dysfunction, reported that erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs such as Viagra can lower the risk of heart disease in men by up to 39% – and also reduce early death and overall mortality by 28% due to any cause, and extend your life.

Viagra (sildenafil) is a specific phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5i) that enhances nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation by inhibiting cyclic guanosine monophosphate breakdown, enhancing blood flow in the corpus cavernosum (erectile tissue of the penis).

“Over the past two decades, knowledge of the broader effects of PDE-5i inhibition on the vascular system has increased significantly. A new comprehensive research study from Southern California Huntington Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Healthcare Inc. and the University of California San Francisco (Business Wire, January 13th, 2023) “marks a significant medical milestone, as it is the first time the association between the use of PDE-5i drugs and the cardiovascular health has been explored in a large population of relatively low-risk men with ED in the United states.

“In this study, scientists analyzed the health records of more than 70,000 men with ED. According to the findings of this large-population study, men who took Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and other drugs of the same class for erectile dysfunction (ED) experienced lower rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including lower rates of heart failure and death due to heart disease compared to other men with ED not exposed to these drugs.”

“Diverse populations of men with ED have provided consistent signals that PDE-5is are not only safe but many have important cardioprotective properties, findings that suggest an urgent need for an adequately powered, prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial,” and also explore important cardioprotective properties in men with cardiovascular risk factors, but without erectile dysfunction (ED).

Do you have the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as: family history (mother, father, sibling, etc.), elevated blood lipids and LDL (bad) cholesterol, low HDL (good) cholesterol, hypertension, elevated triglycerides and C-reactive protein (a measure of inflammation in the body)? If you have any of these risk factors, you need to take charge and lower your risk. See your physician now! Every risk factor that you eliminate, you lower your risk of heart disease and erectile dysfunction. To improve long-term cardiovascular health and erectile function, men should eat a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet and engage in a daily resistance training and vigorous aerobic exercise program. Several studies have shown that men combining physical activity with the Mediterranean diet can provide additional and enhanced benefits to alleviate erectile function. Regular exercise and the Mediterranean diet also stimulate nitric oxide release and promote health and function of endothelial cells lining vascular walls.

Overweight men that lose weight often have improvement in their erectile function, testosterone levels, and sexual health. Research has shown that men following the Mediterranean diet, low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fats, nitrates and polyphenols (from extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, fatty fish, fruits, and leafy vegetables) have less erectile dysfunction. Research has also shown that men with the metabolic syndrome – a group of risk factors (i.e., hypertension, high blood lipids and insulin resistance) – were 100% more likely to have erection problems than people who exercise regularly. The incidents of heart disease were greatest in men suffering from the metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. Exercise and the Mediterranean diet protects against erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. What are the best nutrients reported in the scientific literature to enhance erectile function and better sexual performance?

- L-Citrulline, an amino acid that when taken orally is converted in the body to L-arginine. L-citrulline has been shown in the scientific research to increase L-arginine more efficiently in the body than L-arginine and increase nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator (blood vessel relaxant) and controls blood flow to tissues and to the penis. It is generally accepted that nitric oxide is the principal agent responsible for relaxation of penile smooth muscle. Research has shown that 5.6 grams per day of L-citrulline for seven days reduced blood vessel stiffness in middle-aged men (International Journal of Cardiology, Nov. 8, 2010). Research has also shown that oral citrulline can improve erectile function (Sex Med, 2018). Oral citrulline supplementation of 1.5 grams (for 30 days) improves erectile hardness in men with erectile dysfunction (Urology, January 2011). A study published in the July 2019 issue of the Journal of Andrology compared the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil (50mg) alone or in combination with L-arginine (3 grams) daily for eight weeks. Researchers concluded that, “adding L-arginine to sildenafil demonstrated more efficacy than sildenafil alone for treatment of erectile dysfunction patients.” A more recent ED randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation on January 1, 2022 reported that 6 grams of L-arginine daily for 3 months “significantly improved penile erection function.” Since L-citrulline is more effective than L-arginine for raising blood levels of arginine, it would be expected that citrulline would be much more effective than L-arginine.

- Natural polyphenols from beetroot extract, grape skin extract and pine bark extract contain potent antioxidants that have many health benefits including increasing nitric oxide and vasodilation. Most erection problems are caused by poor blood flow to the penis. Cells lining the blood vessels secrete nitric oxide that controls blood flow. Blood vessel disease disturbs the function of these cells, which reduce the ability to release nitric oxide and maintain erections. Researchers from Norwich Medical School in the U.K. found that men with the greatest dietary polyphenol intake showed a 14% lower risk of erectile dysfunction. Polyphenols are chemicals found in many plants that decrease inflammation, lower blood pressure, act as antioxidants, and boost nitric oxide (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2016).

- Vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) are antioxidants that enhance the function of polyphenols in the body. Men with erectile dysfunction (ED) show higher levels of free radicals and lower levels of antioxidants than men without ED. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) combined with the B vitamin folic acid can improve erection capacity in aging men. Vitamin C, NAC and folic acid work synergistically together with polyphenols and the amino acid L-citrulline in the production of nitric oxide. Folic acid is a precursor of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), and when combined with vitamin C and NAC, plays an important role in sustaining nitric acid bioavailability and endothelial (blood vessel) nitric acid synthase and nitric oxide synthesis. BH4 increases nitric oxide bioavailability and systemic (cGMP) levels in healthy adults, which might be an attractive treatment for erectile dysfunction.

- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a more biologically active and more stable form of the amino acid L-cysteine. NAC increases the important antioxidant glutathione in your body. Research has shown that NAC can prevent oxidative stress and enhance nitric oxide bioavailability. NAC is also a precursor for the synthesis of hydrogen sulfide. Clinical studies are emerging that indicate hydrogen sulfide may be beneficial in the prevention of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes. Research has shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potent vasodilator and increases healthy blood flow to the body and penis and enhances penile erection and sexual performance (Journal of Andrology, July/August 2012). “The current pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) relies significantly of the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, but quite a proportion of ED patients are resistant to this therapy, necessitating a search for an alternative treatment,” researchers said. “Given the mounting evidence of H2S’s role in erectile function and how it appears to achieve its pro-erectile effects through different mechanisms, H2S represents a potentially alternative treatment or adjunct to PDE5 inhibitors.” (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2011)

Research has shown that NAC is a safer hydrogen sulfide precursor and hydrogen sulfide donor than sulfide salts such as sodium sulfide. Sulfide salts release hydrogen sulfide in an uncontrolled manner and may cause acute toxicity to organs. NAC is the preferred and safest supplement for increasing hydrogen sulfide.

Introducing Advanced Molecular Labs (AML) SEX COCKTAIL™, which is the most scientifically advanced natural sexual enhancement dietary supplement ever developed! For best result take 30-60 minutes before bedtime daily. No erectile dysfunction drugs are present. It provides the most scientifically researched nutrients (see enclosed scientific references below) for helping to support healthy vasodilation, blood flow and natural sexual enhancement. AML SEX COCKTAIL™ is not for use by persons under the age of 18. Do not use if pregnant or nursing or taking nitrate drugs. Do not exceed recommended dosage. Consult your physician prior to use if you have a medical condition before beginning any diet or supplement program.†

For more information on AML SEX COCKTAIL™ go to advancedmolecularlabs.com

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

© Published by Advanced Research Media, Inc. 2023

© Reprinted with permission from Advanced Research Media, Inc.

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