Sex Naturally:
A Dietary Supplement Approach to Healthy Sex
- By Stephen Holt, M.D.

"A natural approach is often preferred as a first-line option over the drug approach."

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or sustain a penile erection. It has been treated often by Viagra and related drugs. There are dietary supplements which may act favorably on the sexual response cycle, including the nutritional support of penile function. A natural approach is often preferred as a first-line option over the drug approach. Still, the consistency of effectiveness of drugs may exceed that of many supplements. This situation may be changing as formulators of dietary supplements increasingly recommend natural substances that can work to increase nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in the penis. A mindset has developed among many people that the treatment of ED is not a medical emergency and on this basis many people are using natural options as first-line approaches before they exercise the drug prescription approach. Good cardiovascular function is a key factor for good sexual function. Positive lifestyle changes and good nutrition can help penile function and it assists blood flow to the pelvis of females to promote feminine sexual activity.

Arginine: A Nitric Oxide Tool for ED
Who would think that Arginine, a common amino acid found in dietary proteins, could help to reverse ED? The amino acid L-Arginine has been proposed as a component of nutritional supplements that represent a gradual, simple, gentle and natural approach to supporting cardiovascular health and blood flow to the penis. L-Arginine has been proposed as nutritional support for sexual function in both men and women. This nutrient is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) in the bod and, as such, provides nutritional supporl to generate chemicals that relax smoott muscle in the penis. This process of relax ation of smooth muscles initiates an maintains penile or clitorine erections. L-Arginine has been proposed as nutrition al support for cardiovascular health it two important books entitled "Th( Arginine Solution" by Robert Fried, PhD and Woodson Merrell, M.D., (Warnei Books, New York, 1999) and "The Amin Revolution" by Rober Erdmann, Ph.D., (Simon am Schuster, New York, 1987).

An understanding of thi benefits of L-Arginine as dietary supplement involve an understanding of the role of nitric oxide (NO) in driving many healthy body functions. The role that nitric oxide plays in body functions was elucidated b American researchers in the 1990s who were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1998. In brief, L-Arginine is converted by the body into nitric oxide and the results provide health benefits, especial for cardiovascular health and function.

Up Close and Personal with Nitric Oxide (NO)
Nitric oxide works as a chemical messenger that allows many communication that control body functions such as:

• It's used by the brain itself to perform an important function such as store memory and regulate blood flow to the brain

• It helps to maintain normal blood pressure, the opening of arteries supplying the heart, antioxidant functions, actions in body immunity, assistance with function of the lungs, and the release of vital hormones that are required for well-being.

• It also enhances blood flow to the penis and helps boost erections.

Most important in the use of L Arginine as a natural approach to correct ED is the knowledge that L-Arginine is beneficial for cardiovascular health. And note, poor cardiovascular function is the commonest cause of ED.  But remember, while Viagra and related drugs are effective at reversing ED in many men, unlike L-Arginine, these drugs have a potential for adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in susceptible people.

L-Arginine is highly effective nutritional support for many men with ED. However, it needs to be taken at least an hour or two before sexual intercourse and preferably taken in a consistent manner over a period of several weeks. There's no clear recomendation on the ideal dose of L-Arginine, but direct observations indicate that at least three grams per day of L-Arginine must be taken to load the body over a period of at least two weeks. Thereafter, dosing of L-Arginine of about 1.5 grams per day may do the trick for many people.

L-Arginine has a good safety margin and there's no problem in taking larger doses of L-Arginine as required, e.g., six grams per day. There are some ways of boosting the benefits of the use of the nutrient L-Arginine by using certain herbs or botanicals that may also improve sexual function. The use of L-Arginine in this form, combined with other natural supplements, can form a dietary supplement to promote healthy sexual activity. L-Arginine must not be taken with Viagra or related drugs.

How to Enjoy Sex Naturally
I propose the combination of L-Arginine in a loading dose of at least 3 grams per day with the variable addition of standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba (24% extract), Tribulus terrestris (40% extract), Maca root (0.6% extract), Panax ginseng (5% extract), Muira puama (variable strength), together with niacin, in variable amounts.

This combination is the basis of a dietary supplement called Sex Naturally™. This supplement combination can be made by herbalists or its components can be variably used by skilled nutritionists. These proposals represent the evolution of my work on the study of the evidence base that exists to support the use of natural agents in the nutritional support of sexual function.

Meanwhile, these days, countless couples are becoming more aware and sensitive to their partners' ED condition. Do not mix drugs and supplements without advice.