L-Arginine

Nutraceutical interventions for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Barbonetti A, Tienforti D, Antolini F, Spagnolo L, Cavallo F, Di Pasquale AB · The journal of sexual medicine · 2024 · n=1000

Although nutraceutical-based treatments are often offered for erectile dysfunction (ED), their efficacy remains doubtful, and the choice of one substance over the other is challenged by the dearth of head-to-head comparative studies. We aimed to compare the efficacy of available nutraceutical interventions, alone or in combination with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), in improving erectile function in men with ED through a network meta-analysis (NMA), which incorporates direct and indirect evidence into one model thus generating a hierarchy of effectiveness. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of any nutraceutical regimen in improving erectile function when compared to each other, placebo, and/or PDE5i in men with ED. Data were included in a random-effects NMA, where efficacy of treatments was ranked by surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Two NMAs

Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational Use.

Petre GC, Francini-Pesenti F, Vitagliano A, Grande G, Ferlin A, Garolla A · Nutrients · 2023

The use of nutraceutical products to enhance male sexual performance has a long history, especially with regard to the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Alternative treatments for ED are becoming increasingly popular, with growing interest from consumers, as well as increased revenue for manufacturers. Dietary supplements (DSs), which are a mixture of active ingredients, are mainly sold online. In randomized controlled trials, the molecules contained in DSs have demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness, or even have no evidence to support their use. However, none of the studies carried out provided sufficient evidence to consider these products a first-line therapy. Therefore, the combination of the various active ingredients, especially in relation to the daily dose, leaves doubts about the real effectiveness. In order to evaluate the potential efficacy of DS formulations, we analyzed the products marketed in Italy using a scoring approach. A systematic review of the litera

Cardiovascular Changes in Menopause.

Nair AR, Pillai AJ, Nair N · Current cardiology reviews · 2021

Menopause is associated with changes consistent with cardiovascular aging. The effects of cardiac disease are multifaceted, affecting endothelial function, coronary artery physiology and metabolic dysfunction leading to structural changes in the coronary anatomy. A systematic review of literature from 1986 to 2019 was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. The search was directed to retrieve papers that addressed the changes in cardiovascular physiology in menopause and the current therapies available to treat cardiovascular manifestations of menopause. The metabolic and clinical factors secondary to menopause, such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, fat redistribution and systemic hypertension, contribute to the accelerated risk for cardiovascular aging and disease. Atherosclerosis appears to be the end result of the interaction between cardiovascular risk factors and their accentuation during the perimenopausal period. Additionally, complex interactions between oxidative stress

Alternative medicine and herbal remedies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A systematic review.

Leisegang K, Finelli R · Arab journal of urology · 2021

Objectives: To systematically review and discuss the current evidence from placebo-controlled clinical trials that investigated the use of alternative medicines and herbal remedies in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-based systematic review using specific keyword combinations was conducted on the PubMed and Scopus databases. Randomised controlled trials investigating herbal medicine in at least one group and using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) as an outcome in patients primarily diagnosed with ED were included for review. Results: Following the literature search, screening and eligibility analysis, a total of 42 articles were included. The 42 articles were categorised as single herb extractions (n = 14), combination herbal formula (n = 5), combination of herbal formula and non-herbal nutraceuticals (n = 7), non-herbal nutraceuticals (n = 5), acupu

An Analysis of Popular Online Erectile Dysfunction Supplements.

Balasubramanian A, Thirumavalavan N, Srivatsav A, Yu J, Hotaling JM, Lipshultz LI · The journal of sexual medicine · 2019

Erectile dysfunction supplements (ED-Ss) are featured on online marketplaces like Amazon.com, with dedicated pages and claims that they naturally treat ED. However, their efficacy and safety are largely unknown, limiting the ability to counsel patients regarding their use. To evaluate the highest rated and most frequently reviewed ED-Ss on Amazon.com to facilitate patient counseling regarding marketing myths, ingredient profiles, and evidence for product efficacy and safety. The Amazon marketplace was queried using the key term "erectile dysfunction" with default search settings and ranking items based on relevance. The top 6 ED-S products identified on September 29, 2018, were reviewed based on price, ratings, reviews, manufacturer, and ingredients. Consumer reviews were categorized using subtopics within the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire to better understand ED-S efficacy and then reanalyzed following filtration of untrustworthy comments using Review

Dietary supplements and prevention of preeclampsia.

Ushida T, Tano S, Matsuo S, Fuma K, Imai K, Kajiyama H · Hypertension research : official journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension · 2025

Preeclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and end-organ dysfunction. However, to date, no effective treatment has been established other than iatrogenic delivery, and the importance of prevention as an alternative approach to addressing PE has been emphasized. There is growing evidence on the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological prophylaxis in preventing PE. In this review, we focused on dietary supplements as non-pharmacological prophylaxis for PE. Calcium is a well-documented supplement for the prevention of PE. Daily 500 mg calcium supplementation can roughly halve the risk of PE in settings where calcium intake is low, including in Japan. According to recent systematic reviews and network meta-analyses, current evidence on the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation is inconsistent. Although vitamin D is a candidate for the prevention of PE, future large-scale randomized control trials are necessary to

Alternative Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction: a Growing Arsenal in Men's Health.

Muncey W, Sellke N, Kim T, Mishra K, Thirumavalavan N, Loeb A · Current urology reports · 2021

To highlight and review encouraging preliminary studies behind several alternative products and interventions for erectile dysfunction (ED). Alternative treatments for ED are becoming more prevalent with increased consumer interest. "Natural" products are sold online, and numerous clinics offer various off-label and investigational interventions. These alternative treatments have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in randomized trials and meta-analyses, but none of these interventions has robust enough evidence to be considered first-line therapy. These treatments may find a role in combination with guideline treatments or may be used in novel penile rehabilitation research protocols. With growing interest in alternative treatment for men's health, an awareness of the literature is imperative for patient counsel. Alternative treatments, like L-arginine, have a growing body of evidence for efficacy in combination with PDE5i, and low-intensity shock wave therapy and stem cell ther

Nutraceuticals in Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review.

Hopper I, Connell C, Briffa T, De Pasquale CG, Driscoll A, Kistler PM · Journal of cardiac failure · 2020 · n=50

Nutraceuticals are pharmacologically active substances extracted from vegetable or animal food and administered to produce health benefits. We recently reviewed the current evidence for nutraceuticals in patients diagnosed with heart failure as part of the writing of the Australian Guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of heart failure. A systematic search for studies that compared nutraceuticals to standard care in adult patients with heart failure was performed. Studies were included if >50 patients were enrolled, with ≥6 months follow-up. If no studies met criteria then studies <50 patients and <6 months follow-up were included. The primary outcomes included mortality/survival, hospitalization, quality of life, and/or exercise tolerance. Iron was not included in this review as its role in heart failure is already well established. Forty studies met the inclusion criteria. The strongest evidence came from studies of polyunsaturated fatty acids, wh

Effects of Oral L-Arginine on Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy

n=80 · NCT00571766 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of oral L-Arginine in pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

A Randomized Phase II Dose Finding Study of ArginMax for Its Effect on Erectile Function and Quality of Life in Survivors of Prostate Cancer Previously Treated With Radiotherapy

n=140 · NCT01105130 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

RATIONALE: L-arginine supplements may improve the quality of life and erectile function in men who are prostate cancer survivors. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying how well L-arginine supplementation works with or without enzyme inhibitors in treating erectile function and quality of life of prostate cancer survivors previously treated with radiation therapy.

Immunomodulary Effects of Arginine Supplementation in Colitis and Colon Cancer

n=204 · NCT01091558 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

The purpose of this study is to look at the importance of L-Arginine in the digestive tract. L-Arginine is an amino acid and is important in making proteins within the cell. The evaluation of colon tissue, blood, urine, diet, health history, and symptoms will help us learn more about L-Arginine and ulcerative colitis. The investigators believe these studies will provide new insights into the treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ulcerative colitis) and nutritional needs. The investigators plan to enroll 200 participants in this study over the next two years.