Vitamin T: The new treatment for erectile dysfunction

Feb 6 11 under Erectile Dysfunction | Comments Off

If humans are at all worried, it is about sex; if they worry a lot, most of it is about sex. No wonder humans found the T. Terrestris as a worthwhile remedy to erectile dysfunction.

The western world is now turned towards something the Indian Ayurveda discovered long ago. Its power to increase sex drive was first noticed in the west by Eastern Europe and America. The secret lies in the herb’s capability to optimally regulate androgens through a recharged and balanced limbic system, reactivate a drowsy lymphatic system, remove urinogenital infections and bring a diuretic effect. All of these are something bodybuilders are always in search for, so first was introduced the pure Tribulus and then, a wide multitude of concoctions in forms of pills, capsules, powders and syrups. The percentage of real Tribulus has since then been diminishing in the formulations except for in a few widely popular brands; however, even for them, it’s the minimum quantity required; the rest are components like amino acids like L-Arginine (a bitter tasting amino acid found in proteins and necessary for a good sexual health; its absence from the diet leads to a reduced production of spermatozoa) et al. Do they work?

Ideally, Tribulus is meant for consumption as a pure extract or powdered form within an hour of a large meal, contrary to other libido-stimulating herbs (e.g. Abelmoschus moschatus, Withania somnifera, Mucuna pruriens, Shilajeet etc.) providing optimal results only in combination. A mix may also contain particles that often prove detrimental to health if it’s from a lesser-known manufacturer. To see the other way round, amino acids are to be consumed on an empty stomach, without anything additional. So both ways, these deliver only half the effects. And of course, if someone is trying to ward off an anabolic steroid cycle complication, it is the pure extract that is needed and not the commercial Tribulus-inclusive supplements. For that, you need to depend on organically grown culinary herb gardens catering to custom choices.

How Tribulus works

Tribulus Terrestris stimulates the androgen receptors in the brain. Administering the extract of Tribulus produces a statistically significant increase in the testosterone levels besides elevating dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. These induce aphrodisiacal effects and earn the herb its popularity.

The secret behind all that is Protodioscin, a cousin to DHEA, bringing better results than the pharmacological testosterone cypionate. Protodioscin helps release nitric oxide in the corpus cavernosa (the expanding outer chambers of the penis) from its nerve endings. The mechanism of action also involves stimulating the pituitary to produce LH or luteinizing hormone to facilitate a naturally increased production of testosterone, sperm count and sperm-motility levels. The process also involves the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Estradiol, which form the bridge between the LH and the increased productions.

Unsheathing: Tribulus

The three groups (dioscin, protodioscin and diosgenin) of active phytochemicals have been found to regulate male sexual energy and stamina levels and inhibit pregnenolone, estrogen and progesterone. The result is restoring a balance to hormonal levels, which are now also being used by women to treat premenstrual and menopausal syndromes.

Additionally, Tribulus also comprises sterols (e.g. beta-sitosterols) that have anti-inflammatory effects on the prostate; the presence of steroidal saponins in Tribulus also protects the prostate from cancer and retunes the immune system. The anti-bacterial/viral effects are particularly useful when it comes to treating herpes, influenza and even, common cold. Also a rich source of calcium; but this is where trouble begins.

Tribulus: The Dark Side

Though rare, still, Tribulus is a pain in the wrong place if consumed more than 750 mg a day.

  • A diuretic, it may make the body retain less water than it’s essential.
  • The high percentage of calcium may interfere with the Pancreas and inhibit insulin, giving rise to hypoglycemia or lowered blood sugar levels, apart from acidity or upset stomach.
  • Gynaecomastia; though have affected one in a million people, it proves the androgenic-anabolic effect of Tribulus.
Read More

ED: Cutting the myths out for a better explanation

Jan 19 11 under Erectile Dysfunction | Comments Off

ED or erectile dysfunction is one affair that doesn’t leave too many grounds to be discussed and the myths on masculinity are perhaps the biggest reasons behind. None wants being marked a lesser man and this is the biggest mistake people commit. But just like a simple cold may grow to something as complex as chronic pulmonary disorders over time if left untreated, erectile dysfunction – the initial symptom of an underlying greater cause – may develop into more complex disorders like azoospermia and permanent impotency. So one needs to understand first that ED is – at its basic level – the body’s response to low energy and/or hormonal levels or problems with vasodilatation, which again may have numerous causes behind and just popping pills (chiefly, the aphrodisiacs) may worsen the situation (aneurysm, for example) rather than showing any significant cure.

ED is as psychological as the physical disorders abovementioned; it is the failure-related psychological setbacks that often turn people fearful of future inabilities to get and maintain an erection. Whether you have noticed it or not, being tensed disrupts our normal breathing cycles. Instead of long and deep breaths, it’s the short bursts that take over, resulting in only a partially operating circulatory system with less power to force blood to the terminal body regions. However, to understand that fully, you must know the components that make the penis and the mechanism of erection.

The human penis houses three columns of tissue; two are corpora cavernosa placed dorsally and next to each other and the corpus spongiosum placed ventrally between the other two. The corpus cavernosum is a pair of spongy regions comprised of erectile tissue and traps most of the blood for initiating an erection. The corpus spongiosum is also a cluster of expandable erectile tissues positioned along the penile length and functions the way the other two does. That leaves little to imagination; these tissues have a rich collection of blood vessels which fill up during an erection. The outward pressure is what that makes an organ stand; unless the pressure is sufficient, an erection is going to stay a far-off story.

Now, to the second part that involves a nitric oxide release to relax the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum muscles, followed by the filling of the spongy tissue with blood. If there is no or little release of NO, muscle relaxation is inhibited and erectile dysfunction is noted as much as when it is induced by high deposits of LDL inside the arterial walls. The LDL (a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood; composed of moderate amount of protein and a large amount of cholesterol; high levels are thought to be associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis) prevents sufficient amount of blood from flowing into the spongy tissues; hence, find out first what’s stopping the muscles from relaxing and sufficient quantities of blood from flowing in and treat the cause, your problems with ED will disappear faster than a premature ejaculation.

Read More