Are there natural or over-the-counter alternatives to boost sexual potency? 
Let me first say this: I’m not a doctor. Sexual problems in men can be symptoms of even more serious medical conditions (like cardiovascular disease), so I would advise you to consult with your physician and make sure your general health is good. You should also consult with your physician before trying any of these supplements (especially if you are already taking some kind of medication).
You may want to get your testosterone levels checked as part of your check-up. I’d encourage you to first maximize your natural testosterone production–especially if you are running low on the manly hormone. Here are the three basic steps to increase your testosterone (as you’ll see, these are also good for health in general):
1. Sleep–lack of it negatively affects testosterone production (I’ve addressed this in my sleep for muscle article).
2. Sex–numerous studies have indicated sexual activity itself helps boost T levels.
3. Exercise/Diet–a good exercise program (including resistance training) will also help optimize your natural hormone production. Dietary changes are also beneficial (broccoli, for example, is great for hormone balance, and cutting back on beer may help).
These steps may not be enough in some cases, and testosterone replacement therapy should be considered.
Now let’s get to what I consider the most promising supplements:
Pycnogenol/L-Arginine Combination
The combination of Pycnogenol and L-Arginine is one option for those looking to boost sexual performance/potency through supplements. These two ingredients seem to work in a synergistic way to boost the body’s nitric oxide production, which plays an important role in erections. One research paper found this combination was able to restore/improve sexual function in 75-80% of men who used it.1 A double-blind, placebo-controlled study also found this supplement to be effective for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.2
All you’d have to do is combine 50-150 mg of Pycnogenol with about 1.5 grams of L-Arginine. (you could go with L-Arginine in powder form if you prefer).
L-Citrulline
Want to try a simple, less expensive option? The research indicates L-Citrulline is effective for “mild erectile dysfunction” at a dosage of 1.5 milligrams.3 This supplement works through similar pathways as the Pycnogenol/L-Arginine (nitric oxide production) and it’s quite economical (750mg/180 Capsules for $25 bucks ins’t bad). There’s even more good news about this supplement–it may also help reduce blood pressure.4 Take it with some L-Arginine for optimized results.
References:
1. This formula is in a product called Prelox. You can check out the Prelox study for more information.
2. BJU Int. 2010 Oct;106(7):1030-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.09213.x. Epub 2010 Feb 22. Investigation of a complex plant extract for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study.
3. Urology, Jan 2011, 77(1):119-22, Oral L-citrulline supplementation improves erection hardness in men with mild erectile dysfunction
4. Am J Hypertens. 2010 Jan;23(1):12-6. doi: 10.1038/ajh.2009.195. Epub 2009 Oct 22. Oral L-citrulline supplementation attenuates blood pressure response to cold pressor test in young men.
This article is written by Kevin
