ED is one of the most common sexual problems among men and research indicates that approx. 40 % of males suffer from erectile dysfunction, at least occasionally. Mostly, ED is a result of other health conditions such as diabetes, prostate cancer, and high blood pressure. However, as Italian scientists show, sunshine vitamin also plays an important role in ED.
To evaluate the connection between vitamin D levels and erectile dysfunction the scientists around Alessandra Barassi, MD, of University of Milan, Italy, conducted a study of 143 men with varying degrees of ED. They found that nearly half of the men were vitamin D deficient and that this condition is more frequent in patients with severe erectile dysfunction.
The scientists state that insufficient levels of vitamin D may increase the production of superoxide ions that are depleting nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is vital in causing an erection, because it causes the blood vessels to relax, which increases the blood flow.
"The consequences of 'modern lifestyle' with too little sun exposure seem to interfere with our love life. However, men with a vitamin D level of at least 30 nanograms per millilitre of blood are less vulnerable to develop ED", explains Ad Brand, spokesman of the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF). According to Brand, moderate sun exposure will impact positively not only on vitamin d deficiency but also increase libido and sexual performance of men.
Source:
1) Barassi, A., Pezzilli, R., Colpi, G. M., Corsi Romanelli, M. M. and Melzi d'Eril, G. V.: Vitamin D and Erectile Dysfunction. Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 5 AUG 2014 Journal of Sexual Medicine. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12661
To evaluate the connection between vitamin D levels and erectile dysfunction the scientists around Alessandra Barassi, MD, of University of Milan, Italy, conducted a study of 143 men with varying degrees of ED. They found that nearly half of the men were vitamin D deficient and that this condition is more frequent in patients with severe erectile dysfunction.
The scientists state that insufficient levels of vitamin D may increase the production of superoxide ions that are depleting nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is vital in causing an erection, because it causes the blood vessels to relax, which increases the blood flow.
"The consequences of 'modern lifestyle' with too little sun exposure seem to interfere with our love life. However, men with a vitamin D level of at least 30 nanograms per millilitre of blood are less vulnerable to develop ED", explains Ad Brand, spokesman of the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF). According to Brand, moderate sun exposure will impact positively not only on vitamin d deficiency but also increase libido and sexual performance of men.
Source:
1) Barassi, A., Pezzilli, R., Colpi, G. M., Corsi Romanelli, M. M. and Melzi d'Eril, G. V.: Vitamin D and Erectile Dysfunction. Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 5 AUG 2014 Journal of Sexual Medicine. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12661
