Natural medicine for impotence – what’s right for you? This will depend on what is causing your impotence. Here’s a list of natural medicines that may help. Although not actually medicines these vitamins and minerals are often called natural medicines and can be obtained from your local vitamin or health food store.

Zinc

A substantial reduction of the mineral zinc, associated with long-term use of diuretics, diabetes, digestive disorders, and certain kidney or liver diseases, has been shown to lead to erectile dysfunction. Taking some extra zinc may help a lot in fact.

Propionyl-L-Carnitine

There was a study examined the use of two forms of carnitine,  acetyl-L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine in 96 men who with erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery. One group were given a placebo, another group took propionyl-L-carnitine (2 grams per day) plus acetyl-L-carnitine (2 grams per day) and sildenafil (Viagra) when needed, and the third group used Viagra alone.

The combination of Acetyl-L-carnitine and Propionyl-L-carnitine were found to enhance the effectiveness of the drug sildenafil, and result in improved erectile function, sexual intercourse satisfaction, orgasm, and all around sexual well-being compared to (sildenafil) Viagra alone.

In another review it was found the effectiveness of propionyl-L-carnitine supplements plus sildenafil in men with erectile dysfunction and diabetes who were up to that time unresponsive to Viagra alone.

Participants in the study received either propionyl-L-carnitine (two grams per day) plus Viagra (50 milligrams twice a week) or Viagra alone. After 24 weeks, propionyl-L-carnitine plus Viagra was found to be significantly more successful than Viagra alone.

L-Arginine

There have only been two studies to date, however, evaluating the effectiveness of L-arginine for erectile dysfunction.

One study involved 50 men who received either 5 grams of L-arginine a day or a placebo. After six weeks, significantly more men taking L-arginine experienced an improvement in sexual function compared with men taking the placebo. It only benefited men who had low levels of nitric oxide to begin with.

Another study using a smaller dose of L-arginine and a shorter treatment duration found no benefit with L-arginine use. The study involved 32 men with erectile dysfunction who took oral L-arginine supplements (500 milligrams three times per day) or a placebo for 17 days. Oral L-arginine was no better than the placebo.

What is L-arginine

L-arginine is found naturally in many foods such as meat, dairy, poultry and fish. It is also available as a supplement, which some product manufacturers market as a “natural Viagra”).

L-arginine is an amino acid that the body uses to make nitric oxide, a substance signals smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels to relax, which dilates the blood vessels and increases blood flow. Relaxation of smooth muscle in the penis allows for enhanced blood flow, leading to an erection.

Side effects may involve digestive complaints. High dosees of L-arginine may stimulate the body’s production of gastrin, a hormone that increases stomach acid. For this reason, L-arginine may be harmful for individuals with ulcers and people taking drugs that are hard on the stomach.

L-arginine may also change potassium levels in your body, particularly in people with liver disease. It should not be taken by people who are on medications that alter potassium levels, such as potassium sparing diuretics and ACE inhibitors. For more speak to your doctor.