A health problem that few men like to discuss, even with their doctors,
is erectile dysfunction (ED) the inability to achieve and maintain an
erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. While most men experience erection difficulties once in a while, ED is a chronic
problem for a staggering 60 per cent of seventy year old men.

Given how common and distressing this problem is, HSI was extremely pleased to learn about a brand new supplement, called HealthyED. It has been specially designed, as its names suggests, to help overcome ED while avoiding the side effects associated with conventional drugs, such as Viagra.

It contains the herbs Butea superba, horny goat weed, Tribulus
terrestris and Ginkgo biloba, as well as beta sitosterol, the active
ingredient of saw palmetto, and the nutrients zinc, niacin and lycopene.
Research suggests that this combination of ingredients may also protect prostate and heart health into the bargain.

Viagras dangerous side-effects include vision loss, high blood
pressure and worse

In order for an erection to occur, muscle cells in the penis need to
relax and allow blood to flow into spongy tissue, making it hard. A lot
of complex body chemistry is behind this simple process.

Sexual stimulation causes the release of nitrous oxide, a messenger
chemical that promotes the production of other second messengers,
which cause the relaxation of muscle cells in the penis. Once they have
done their job, these second messengers are broken down by enzymes called phosphodiesterases.

The drug Viagra (sildenafil) works by blocking the action of these
enzymes, leading to a stronger and more sustained erection. Viagras
down side is its well-publicised and common side effects, which include
painful erections, headaches, facial flushing, dizziness, indigestion,
nasal congestion and visual disturbances.

More worrying still, it has been linked to an increased risk of heart
attack, stroke, sudden death, irregular heart beat, chest pain and
raised blood pressure. A recent study has also shown that, if you have
high blood pressure or heart disease, Viagra may even endanger your
sight by causing damage to the optic nerve (Brit J Ophthalmol 2006; 90: 154-157).

The good news is that there is no need to take such serious risks in
order to overcome ED. The individual ingredients that make up HealthED can help beat this distressing problem without compromising your health in the process.

Healthy ED: 82% of men taking Butea superba experienced significant
improvements

One of the herbs in Healthy ED, Butea superba (also known as Red Kwao Kra), is a Thai plant that has been traditionally used to increase male sexual vigour. Recent research has not only confirmed its effectiveness, but has also revealed that it works in a very similar way to Viagra but without the drugs harmful the side effects.

In a randomised, double blind clinical trial, an amazing 82 per cent of
men with erectile dysfunction reported a noticeable improvement while
taking butea for three months (Asian J Androl 2003; 5(3): 243-246).
Natural plant chemicals in butea called flavonoids and flavonoid
glycosides work just like Viagra by inhibiting phosphodiesterase enzymes (Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2002; 33 (Suppl) 3: 155-158).

Horny goat weed (Epimedium) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic herb that promotes sexual energy. Its main active ingredient is a flavonoid called icariin, which can enhance erections and improve sexual performance.

Animal studies have shown that icariin works like the flavonoids in
butea by blocking phosphodiesterase enzymes (Asian J Androl 2003; 5: 15-18). It also improves both nitric oxide levels and the strength of
erections (Asian J Androl 2005; 7(4): 381388). New research has shown that, in addition, icariin increases levels of testosterone, the male hormone that naturally declines from middle age, and improves the health of the reproductive organs (Asian J Androl 2006; 8: 601-605).

Tribulus terrestris, the puncture vine, supports healthy erectile
function in another way, by boosting levels of the hormone
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), from which your body makes testosterone and other sex hormones. The active chemical in tribulus has been found to be protodioscin, which is chemically very similar to DHEA and is reported to be converted to DHEA in the body (Int J Androl 2000; 23 (Suppl) 2: 8284; J Alt Complement Med 2003; 9(2): 257265).

Healthy ED: Ginkgo can enhance your love life as well as your memory
The herb Ginkgo biloba, better known for its memory-boosting properties, has also emerged as an effective treatment for ED, especially ED associated with the use of modern antidepressant medications. While depression itself is often associated with decreased libido, a recent European study estimated that one third of all patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants suffered from drug-induced sexual dysfunction (J Clin Psychiatry 2006; 67(2): 204210).

A clinical trial of ginkgo for the treatment of antidepressant-induced
sexual dysfunction concluded that an impressive 76 per cent of men
experienced improved sexual function after taking ginkgo extract each
day for one month. Ginkgo is thought to work by dilating the arteries
that supply blood to the penis (J Sex Marital Ther 1998; 24(2): 13943).

Beta-sitosterol has been used to treat prostate problems with great
success, without the side effect of ED caused by conventional prostate
drugs. In one study, in which 100 men with prostate enlargement took
beta-sitosterol for 12 weeks, an incredible 90 per cent of them reported that their condition had improved, by an average of 44 per cent (Lancet 1995; 345: 8964). Saw palmetto, a herb whose active ingredient is beta-sitosterol, has been found to out-perform the prostate drugs finasteride and tamsulosin in clinical trials (Eur Urol 2002; 41(5): 497-506).

The mineral zinc is known to be essential for a wide range of sexual
functions, including testosterone production, normal erections and
libido. In one study, when a group of men in their sixties was given a
zinc supplement, their testosterone levels actually doubled (Nutrition
1996; 12(5): 344-348). Niacin (vitamin B3) lowers blood cholesterol,
high levels of which can cause ED by blocking the small arteries that
supply the penis. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes,
has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease,
cancer (especially prostate cancer), diabetes and osteoporosis (Exp Biol Med 2002; 227(10): 886-893).

Healthy ED: What to take for best results

The recommended dose for Healthy ED is two capsules taken twice daily at mealtimes. Consult your doctor first if you are taking any prescribed medication or suffer from a medical condition.