The ability to attain and maintain an erection as well as have sufficient viable sperm for reproduction are the key aspects of male sexual vitality. Nearly one out of every four men over the age of 50 are unable to perform sexually. Even more emotionally painful for many men is the inability for a couple to conceive because the male partner is infertile. In the United States it is estimated that about 6% of men between the ages of 15 and 50 are infertile. Most causes of male infertility reflect an abnormal sperm count or quality. Although it only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg, in an average ejaculate a man will eject nearly 200 million sperm. However, because of the natural barriers in the female reproductive tract only about 40 or so sperm will ever reach the vicinity of an egg. There is a strong correlation between the number of sperm in an ejaculate and fertility.

What affects Male Sexual Vitality?

Factors that reduce male sexual vitality include hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), diabetes, low testosterone, and the use of various prescription drugs such as those for high blood pressure, depression, and allergies. Atherosclerosis of the penile artery is the primary cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) in over half of the men over 50. Drugs like Viagra and Cialis work for a time because they artificially improve blood flow to erectile tissue, but an effective long-term solution is improving the health of the arteries through diet, lifestyle, and proper supplementation.

Factors that affect total sperm count as well as sperm quality include a variety of environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors.

What dietary factors are important in Male Sexual Vitality?

Optimal sexual function requires optimal nutrition. A diet rich in whole foods particularly vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds is extremely important. Those factors important in Heart Health are also very important to male sexual vitality.

What nutritional supplements are important for Male Sexual Vitality?

Foundation Supplements. High potency multiple;Vitamin D3 2,000-5,000 IU/day; Fish Oil, EPA+DHA 1,000 to 3,000 mg/day.

Zinc is perhaps the most important trace mineral for sexual function. Zinc is concentrated in semen, frequent ejaculation can greatly diminish body zinc stores. If a zinc deficiency exists, the body appears to respond by reducing sexual drive as a mechanism by which to hold on to this important trace mineral. Dosage: 30 to 45 mg daily.

Arginine increases the formation of nitric oxide within blood vessels and may improve blood flow to erectile tissue. In one double-blind study, 31% of patients taking L-arginine reported a significant improvement in sexual function compared to only 11% of the control subjects. Dosage: 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily.

Grape Seed or Pine Bark Extract contain flavonoids known as procyanidolic oligomers that have been shown to dramatically increase the benefits of arginine in one double-blind study presumably by enhancing the production of nitric oxide within erectile tissues even greater than arginine alone. Dosage: 150 to 300 mg daily.

Tongkat ali or longjack (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) is a traditional remedy in Southeast Asia for male sexual vitality. Several experimental studies were performed in rodents showing the ability of longjack to improve sexual behavior, including impressive results in sluggish and impotent rats. Interestingly, a water extract has been co-patented by the government of Malaysia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for sexual dysfunction and male infertility. The only published human study is a small pilot study of 14 men randomly selected to consume either 100 mg/day longjack water soluble extract or a placebo. The results indicated longjack increased fat free body mass, reduced body fat, and increased muscle strength and size.

Horny goat weed (Epimedium sp.) is a traditional Chinese medicine long valued for its benefits to male sexual function. Experimental studies have identified a substance known as icariin that acts to increase levels of nitric oxide within erectile tissue similar to sildenafil (Viagra). Horny goat weed was actually used to rescind parts of the U.S. patent for Viagra based on its historic use in Chinese medicine. Unfortunately, there have been no clinical studies of horny goat weed as a sole therapy in promoting male sexual function, though there are a few small studies that feature it as part of an herbal combination formula..

Carnitine is critical compound for proper sperm formation. A low carnitine level means that sperm development, function, and motility are drastically reduced. Supplementing the diet with carnitine has been shown to be useful in restoring male fertility. Carnitine is essential for proper energy production within the sperm to allow them to form and function properly. Dosage: 1,500 mg daily.

How do I know if the program is working?

Improvements in sexual performance