Erectile dysfunction (ED) isn’t a subject you will find men chatting about over a beer in the pub. Those affected may feel incredibly embarrassed and may feel very isolated. Nonetheless, the truth is that ED is far more common than many of us may realize, and it is a sign that there may be other serious problems in the body. Experts estimate that around 30 million men globally struggle with ED, though only about half have the nerve to get themselves diagnosed. And, surprisingly, only 40 percent of ED patients are over the age of 40.
With an estimated one in 10 men having to deal with this problem, it is good to know that a study published in the journal Andrologia found that a derivative of curcumin was able to significantly enhance erectile function in animal studies – as well as, if not better than, tadalafil (Cialis), a drug commonly used to treat ED. (Related: Learn more at Turmeric)
What is erectile dysfunction and how is it treated?
The Mayo Clinic explains that ED is the “inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex,” and warns:
Having erection trouble from time to time isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease.
Drugs like tadalafil (which trades under the name Cialis) are used to treat ED by relaxing blood vessel muscles and directing increased blood flow to specific areas of the body. However, Cialis, like most chemical drugs, carries side effects like dizziness, numbness, nausea and tingling or pain in the chest, jaw, arms and neck. It can also cause priapism, an erection which lasts for more than four hours, and is not safe for use by patients with high or low blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, sickle cell anemia, or any kind of heart disease or other heart problem.
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Curcumin – a better, safer alternative
The researchers who performed the Andrologia study set out to find a better alternative to tadalafil and examined the effects of regular curcumin (CUR) as well as a novel curcumin derivative (NCD) alone or in combination with tadalafil for the treatment of ED.
The study extract explains:
Ten control male rats and 50 diabetic male rats were used and divided into the following: diabetic (DM), curcumin (CURC), NCD, tadalafil and NCD combined with tadalafil rat groups. Cavernous tissue gene expression of heme oxygenase?1 (HO?1), Nrf2,NF?B and p38, enzyme activities of heme oxygenase (HO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), cGMP and intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP) were assessed. …
After 12 weeks, the team found the following:
NCD or its combination with tadalafil showed significant superiority and more prolonged duration of action. In conclusion, a tendency was observed that CURC and NCD have high efficacy and more prolonged duration of action in enhancing erectile function.
In addition to incorporating more curcumin into one’s diet there are other ways that men can improve their sexual health, including:
Watch your diet: A truly healthy, clean diet which eliminates all processed foods, sugar, caffeine and nicotine will improve your overall health, including the health of your heart which can have a direct impact on ED. Be sure to include lots of garlic, cayenne pepper, golden seal and omega-3s in your diet.
Balance your hormones and take the right supplements: These include panax ginseng (known as herbal Viagra), rhodiola rose, L-arganine and DHEA, among others.
Increase your exercise: Nothing helps ED more than getting your circulatory system going, which means it is vitally important to include as much exercise in your daily routine as possible.
So, if ED has you feeling down, don’t despair! There are several natural solutions and lifestyle changes you can incorporate in your life which can change the situation for the better. (Related: Eight natural remedies to overcome erectile dysfunction and impotence.)
Sources include:
MenHealthGroup
OnlineLibrary.Wiley
Turmeric
MedicalNewsToday
MayoClinic.org
