Supplements

L-Citrulline is a substance called a non-essential amino acid. Your kidneys change L-Citrulline into another amino acid called L-Arginine and a chemical called Nitric Oxide. These compounds are important to your heart and blood vessel health, and Nitric Oxide improves circulation which is the secret to hard, firm, healthy erections.

You might be wondering why AFFIRM® has L-Citrulline rather than L-Arginine. As it turns out, L-Arginine is broken down by the intestines and liver  and does not make it into the bloodstream intact. Instead, L-Citrulline goes into the kidneys where it is rapidly converted into L-Arginine.

That’s why L-Citrulline is the better choice for men looking to produce strong, hard erections. Scientific studies have proven L-Citrulline supplementation increases blood levels of L-Arginine more effectively than supplementation of L-Arginine alone. L-Citrulline can actually reverse blood vessel lining dysfunctions by activating another very important compound for growing blood vessels called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

VEGF repairs and improves the function of the blood vessels throughout the body, including within the corpus cavernosum, the sponge-like regions of erectile tissue that contain most of the blood in the penis during penile erection.

It has been scientifically demonstrated that L-Citrulline improves erectile hardness in men with mild erectile dysfunction, and improved penile blood pressures and Nitric Oxide levels in rat experimental models. 

L-Citrulline is safe with no reported side effects. However, the supplement may affect the way certain drugs work in your body. Do not take this supplement if you are taking nitrates for heart disease. Be aware that L-Citrulline in combination with ED drugs such as Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra, may lower your blood pressure and you should consult your doctor before combining the two.

Eating beet root extract has three main benefits:

As a source of nitrate, ingesting beet root provides a natural means of increasing nitric oxide (NO) availability in the bloodstream, which improves blood pressure and improves the function of the endothelium (or lining) of blood vessels. Increased blood flow into the penis increases erectile firmness.

Beetroot is an exceptionally rich source of antioxidant compounds which protect cellular components from oxidative injury. They suppress oxygen free radical formation and directly scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This protects against oxidative damage to DNA, lipid and protein structures. The antioxidant capacity of beetroot juice is higher than almost all fruit and vegetable juices. 

Beet root, a natural NO donor, has been explored as a nutritional approach to preserve or restore endothelial function. Because NO mediates many of the endothelium’s functions, a depletion of NO availability that occurs with aging has been singled out as the principal cause of endothelial dysfunction. Replacing NO slows and in some cases reverses the aging process of blood vessels.

Asian Ginseng has been investigated as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). One pilot study using 60 patients with mild to moderate ED were given 3g of Korean Red Ginseng in three daily doses of 1g with meals for 12 weeks. Korean Red Ginseng appeared to be effective, with 66.6% of the patients in the KRG group reported improved erections while the placebo group was not significantly different from baseline. Another blinded study with a larger sample (86) noted that regular Panax Ginseng over a period of 8 weeks, dosed at 1,000mg twice daily (daily dose totaling 2g) found significant improvements in erectile function as assessed by the same rating scale.

A systematic review conducted on Korean Red Ginseng assessing seven randomized controlled trials found consistent benefits associated with Red Ginseng Extract, with doses ranging from 600mg taken three times a day (totaling 1,800mg) in four studies or 900mg taken three times daily (totaling 2,700mg) in two studies (one cited here).The conclusion was that there is a moderate level of evidence currently that Panax Ginseng has potential in helping erectile function (with implications on psychogenic erectile dysfunction as well as vascular) and appears to be more well researched than other herbs catered to promote erectile function; still needs some stronger research though.

The herb Muira Puama (commonly known as Potency Wood) grows in regions surrounding Brazil and is said to enhance sexual function, especially in older men. It has usage as both a vitality and sexuality enhancer as well as a nerve tonic, treating chronic degenerative nervous ailments by the Amazonian people. Two studies on Muira Puama and sexuality in humans noted improvements, although conclusions drawn from these two are limited due to the inclusion of Ginkgo Biloba.  Studies show a small to moderate improvement in sexuality in both genders affecting approximately 2/3rds of participants. One study conducted in men using 1000-1500mg of a 4:1 extract of Muira Puama noted that 51% of respondents reported an improvement in erectile function after 2 weeks of usage.