Did you know - Nitric oxide is the central hero behind male's performance
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas and a free radical that has been linked to various physiological processes. It plays a significant part in improving blood flow through your vascular system, making it crucial for overall physical health, including your capacity to achieve and sustain an erection. It is manufactured by converting L-arginine (an essential amino acid). L-citrulline and L-arginine are two examples of nitric oxide supplements. L-arginine is an amino acid that can be found in foods including fish, pork, legumes, and dairy, but your body can also synthesise what it needs. As a vasodilator, it facilitates the widening of blood arteries. L-arginine is used to treat a variety of medical ailments, including heart disease and erectile dysfunction1,2.
How Nitric Oxide Boosts Male Performance3,5:
Stronger Erection: Nitric oxide's greatest sexual advantage is the way it helps you get and keep an erection. Nitric oxide, in fact, can be used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Blood vessels are able to expand and fill up penile chambers more quickly when nitric oxide is present. In this technique, engorgement and hard erections are produced. Lack of nitric oxide bioactivity has been linked to erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the relaxation of smooth muscle3.
Increased Libido: One's libido and sex desire can drop for a number of reasons. Low testosterone levels, specific drugs, depression, anxiety, chronic condition, sleep disorders, stress, ageing, and relationship problems are just a few of these causes. Increased libido is yet another way that nitric oxide affects sexual performance. According to one study, men who took l-citrulline reported more sexual activity6.
Combating Premature Ejaculation: It's not uncommon for males to experience ejaculation issues. The most prevalent example is premature ejaculation. It occurs when a man ejaculates within 60 seconds of penetration or sexual stimulation. While the exact aetiology is unknown, psychological and biological factors may play a role. Furthermore, if you have erectile difficulties or are stressed, you are more prone to experience premature ejaculation. According to a study published in the journal Andrologia, low levels of nitric oxide are connected with premature ejaculation. The researchers discovered that nitric oxide can delay ejaculation through a central and peripheral mechanism. Although further research is needed, one thing is certain: nitric oxide may benefit males with premature ejaculation. Nitric oxide may help men who don't have this sexual dysfunction ejaculate more effectively and postpone their climax7.
Boosts testosterone production: As men get older, their testosterone levels start to fall. However, several circumstances accelerate this process. Injuries or infections to the testicles, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, certain drugs, a lack of physical activity, and excessive body fat are also risk factors. Men suffer from a variety of symptoms when their testosterone levels are low. Low libido is one of these. Erectile dysfunction is more common in men who have low testosterone levels. The enhanced generation of testosterone is a significant sexual benefit of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide promotes gonadotropin secretion, which is a precursor hormone in the synthesis of testosterone. Raised levels of testosterone are associated with enhanced sexual performance in men.
How to Boost Nitric Oxide Naturally1,5:
Vegetables, particularly beets and leafy greens, such as spinach and arugula, are high in nitrates, which are connected with increased nitric oxide levels throughout the body. Beets have been linked to numerous health benefits, including enhanced strength and endurance, better cognition during exercise, reduced inflammation, enhanced antioxidant function, and more. Vitamin C, which is prevalent in citrus fruits, improves the body's ability to absorb nitric oxide. Nitric oxide (NO) is boosted by garlic because it stimulates nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme necessary for the production of NO from l-arginine. Coenzyme Q10, which protects the body's nitric oxide supply, is abundant in meat.
In addition to making changes to your food, taking nutritional supplements can help increase your body's nitric oxide production. L-arginine and l-citrulline are the two most vital nutrients for this function. These aids stimulate nitric oxide generation throughout the body. Changing your diet and getting more exercise can also help your NO levels.
- What Nitric Oxide Supplements Can and Can’t Do for Muscle Performance. Men’s Health Learn more (2021).
- Nitric Oxide Supplements: Uses & How They Work. hims Learn more.
- Burnett, A. L. The Role of Nitric Oxide in Erectile Dysfunction: Implications for Medical Therapy. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 8, 53–62 (2007).
- Cartledge, J., Minhas, S. & Eardley, I. The role of nitric oxide in penile erection. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2, 95–107 (2001).
- Zayed, D. A. Does Nitric Oxide Help Sexually? Ben’s Natural Health Learn more.
- Shirai, M. et al. Oral L-citrulline and Transresveratrol Supplementation Improves Erectile Function in Men With Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study. Sex Med 6, 291–296 (2018).
- Otunctemur, A. et al. Relevance of serum nitric oxide levels and the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors treatment on premature ejaculation: decreased nitric oxide is associated with premature ejaculation. Andrologia 46, 951–955 (2014).