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With more and more individuals adopting a health-conscious lifestyle, demand for supplements and vitamins has increased across the world.
One such supplement that we have been hearing a lot about recently is vitamin C. You may have already caught on to the mainstream health benefits of this particular vitamin, such as its ability to promote better immune function.
But the question then lies, does Vitamin C help men struggling with erectile dysfunction (ED)?
To cut it short, not quite. There hasn’t been enough positive research that connects the use of Vitamin C to a reduced risk of ED.
Regardless, if you have a vitamin deficiency, it’s strongly recommended that you incorporate more of it into your daily diet. It’s responsible for the growth of new cell tissue and better blood flow—key processes when attempting to achieve an erection.
While there’s no hard evidence of an indisputable link between this food and ED, the benefits of taking vitamin C exceeds any risk.
Let’s go over some of the facts about Vitamin C and erectile dysfunction.
What is Vitamin C?
Also known as l-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that can help improve the function for many of the body’s processes.
In particular, Vitamin C aids in the following:
- Bolster immune function (bettering protection against the common cold)
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease like high blood pressure
- Lower the chance of eye disease and skin wrinkling
When taken in the recommended daily intake of 90 mg a day for men, this vitamin can significantly increase energy production and help boost your immune system. Smokers may have to take 35 mg more than the average adult.
According to a researcher based in the University of Michigan, taking 500 mg of Vitamin C daily is the best practice to achieve the best health results. This can be done by taking a daily Vitamin C supplement.
In addition, the upper limit of Vitamin C intake that has been established is 2000 mg.
Any more than this may have adverse side effects on your health, so think twice before taking any more than you should.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to men not being able to get or stay firm. If you’re unable to attain or maintain an erection—at least long enough to please your partner and complete the deed—you’ve got ED.
While erectile dysfunction can be debilitating, it’s not incurable. There are many treatment methods available that can restore the effects of ED.
In addition, it’s a fairly common disease, affecting nearly half of all men ages 40-70 to some degree.
Relationship Between Erectile Dysfunction and Vitamin C
For an erection to form, blood needs to get redirected from various parts of the body to the blood vessels, eventually leading to the erectile tissues.
When this happens, the tissue in the penis starts to soften up in order to make room for the influx of blood flow.
Vitamin C can indirectly assist this process. According to a review published in Fertility and Sterility, Vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins that commands the biochemical release of an agent known as nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide, or NO, is a chemical in our bodies that’s responsible for relaxing the tissues (including those found in the penis), enabling healthy blood flow to the penis.
Besides these findings, medical experts still believe that there isn’t enough evidence to prove that taking more Vitamin C supplements is directly responsible for your ability to remain erect.
While nitric oxide gets released when more Vitamin C is introduced into our system, this process isn’t exclusive to just Vitamin C. Dairy products, poultry, and fish can all contribute to the release of this chemical, thus improving penile function.
Regardless, adding more vitamin C to your diet is never a bad thing. Here are some Vitamin-C rich foods you can incorporate into your meal to treat a vitamin C deficiency:
- Cabbage
- Berries
- Watermelon
- Guava
- Mango
- Cantaloupe
Other Vitamins and ED
While vitamin supplements like Vitamin D do help improve a variety of bodily functions including sexual function, it doesn’t exactly treat the symptoms, at least not to the same effect of prescription medications or clinically-approved therapies.
For instance, low Vitamin D levels has been linked with men with ED. However, attempting to cure a Vitamin D deficiency doesn’t necessarily cure ED.
Vitamin B3 may improve ED symptoms in patients with moderate to severe cases of sexual dysfunction, but if you already have normal Vitamin B3 levels, then further treatment may not be as effective.
The best course of action for men looking to improve their sexual health is to contact a men’s medical clinicfor professional medical advice.
Alternative Ways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
If you’re looking to restore erectile function, there are medically sound ED treatment options available in most men’s clinics.
Testosterone replacement therapy, for instance, is a viable alternative to increase libido and treat impotence. This therapy is performed under the supervision of a male health specialist, and it usually involves a combination of gels, topical creams, and non-invasive treatment plans custom fit to the patient.
Reserved for more severe cases, surgery is another option to improve erectile dysfunction. This is recommended when no other alternative has worked or when the patient is facing a shortening of the penis, or Peyronie’s disease.
Takeaways for the Link Between Vitamin C and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction is a disease that can take a big hit on one’s sexual performance. While Vitamin C is effective in improving a slew of bodily processes, there’s no clear evidence to prove that it treats erectile dysfunction specifically.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s a dead end. With alternative and viable treatment methods around, it’s certainly possible to rise above ED and live a healthier lifestyle.
If you want to treat ED, contact the medical professionals at Proactive Men’s Medical Center in Cincinnati who specialize in treating conditions that impact men’s health. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation, Hormone Therapy (HGH), and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
