Erectile dysfunction might be a topic that can cause shame to some men, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, there are different substances or methods that you can use to improve your sexual development, and one of them is nitric oxide (NO) a gas that our bodies produce naturally, and which can be found in nature.
Erectile dysfunction happens when a man can’t hold a firm erection for enough time to have a normal round of sexual intercourse. But worry not, having occasional impotence (as it’s also known) is common, and there are different factors that influence men’s body for that to happen.
A simple thing like stress and even difficulties with your relationship can trigger this condition, but there are also more serious causes, like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity/overweight, anxiety, drug and/or alcohol use, smoking, heart disease, injuries and even damage from cancer or surgery.
A mix of some of those conditions can trigger erectile dysfunction, or just one of them can affect your regular sexual intercourse too, that’s why it’s important to consult your doctor and ask for tests to discard any serious pathology.
Why can nitric oxide help with erectile dysfunction?
Nitric oxide is a molecule that sends signals in the cardiovascular and circulatory system. It has the property to relax blood vessels and dilate the arteries and allow better blood flow into your body, and the better the blood is streamed, a better function your body will have.
Nitric oxide is known as the “miracle molecule” and three American researchers won the 1998’s Nobel Prize because they discovered the effects of NO in the cardiovascular system. Paradoxically, NO is also a toxic air pollutant that forms when nitrogen is burned in exhaust fumes, but in the body, it accomplishes functions that protect the heart, stimulate the brain and helps your immune system.
When it comes to the sexual process, Nitric oxide has been proven to help with erectile dysfunction because it initiates erection when the blood vessels are dilated.
The not-shaming symptoms of erectile dysfunction
Some men that have this condition may experience difficulties with getting an erection, and if they get it, they would have troubles maintaining it during sexual intercourse. Men can also develop a lack of interest in sex, mostly because their performance wouldn’t be good.
There are other sexual disorders linked to erectile dysfunction, like premature ejaculation (which occurs sooner than a man or his partner would expect). This condition, also known as rapid ejaculation, might not be serious, but it can become a frustrating issue that can lead to relationship issues.
Contrary to premature ejaculation is delayed ejaculation, which is when a man takes more time than usual to ejaculate, and in some cases, the ejaculation is not achieved.
Men can also experience anorgasmia (lack or inability to reach an orgasm in sexual intercourse, despite having adequate stimulation).
Tip: If you’ve been suffering any or some of these symptoms for more than eight weeks, you should reach out to your physician in order to discard any serious condition.
Who can suffer from erectile dysfunction?
Any men can suffer from ED and the risks of having it get higher when you get older. It’s important to know that as you age, it may get a bit difficult to get an erection, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are suffering from ED.
People before their 60’s can have it and it increases by 10% of men in their 60’s. Almost 30% of men aged 70 and older will also have it, but there’s a way to delay it. Try to stay healthy, and your chances of suffering from this condition will reduce.
How can our bodies produce nitric oxide?
NO is produced in our endothelial cells. The nitric oxide synthase is an enzyme that converts L-arginine (an amino acid naturally produced by our body) into NO through a very complex process, but this enzyme decreases its production when we age, so a nice way to keep proper levels of it is exercising regularly and getting food with high levels of antioxidants.
What will help you boost your NO levels?
Food is important when it comes to the production of nitric oxide. Green vegetables will help you boost your nitric oxide levels because they’re high in nitrate, and when it’s consumed, your body converts it in nitrite and nitric oxide. Surprisingly, oral bacteria have a huge role in this process because it’s the catalyst.
Beets will also improve your NO production since it’s rich in dietary nitrates. This sweet food can be ingested as a juice or in a salad or soup.
Pomegranate, citrus fruits, garlic, meat and nuts, and seeds will also help you boost your nitric oxide levels.
Antioxidants are also a good source of nitric oxide. Berries, sweet potatoes, carrots and orange vegetables, tea, whole grains, beans, and fish like salmon, sardines, oysters, mackerel, tuna steak, albacore tuna, and herring, will help you get a nice number of antioxidants.
The big guest to the boosting equation is surprise, surprise! Exercising! Yes, exercising is a powerful stimulator of nitric oxide because it causes our cardiovascular system to work a bit more. It will improve our ability to produce L-arginine which is directly linked to the production of nitric oxide.
Don’t forget to always reach your doctor in order to ask for exams and recommendations in order to stay healthy.
