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There are many erectile dysfunction medications out there, but using a complementary treatment won’t hurt. One complimentary solution for erectile dysfunction (ED) is fish oil. But does fish oil for erectile dysfunction really work? Stay with us to find out.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to have an erection and keep it hard long enough for satisfactory sex.
Having trouble getting an erection from time to time is not necessarily a cause for alarm. However, if the problem continues happening for a long time, consulting a doctor is your best option.
ED can stress you out, decrease your self-confidence, and cause relationship issues. It can also be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs to be treated.
According to the National Institute of Health [1], you most probably have erectile dysfunction if you experience the following.
- You can have an erection sometimes, but not each time you want to have intercourse.
- You can have an erection, but it does not stay long enough for satisfactory sex.
- You cannot get an erection all the time.
Furthermore, you are more likely to get erectile dysfunction if you are (1) older, (2) have certain diseases that cause ED, (3) take certain medication that causes ED, and (4) experience psychological issues.
Erectile dysfunction can also cause the following.
- An unsatisfactory sex life
- Loss of intimacy between you and your partner
- Low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression
What Is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is the fat extracted from fish’s tissue. Fish oil is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. It usually comes from fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, and herring. Our bodies cannot make omega-3 fatty acids, so we have to rely on food to get them [2].
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil play crucial roles in the functioning of the human body. A deficit of omega-3 fatty acids is linked to various cardiovascular diseases, mood disorders, cancers, and arthritis.
Fish oil has been so popular that Americans alone spend $1 billion a year for over-the-counter versions of fish oil. Food manufacturers are even adding it to hundreds of food items, including juice, yogurt, cereal, and cookies.
Typical Benefits of Fish Oil
1. Fish oil can prevent heart diseases.
One of the most well-known benefits of fish oil is that it is good for the heart. Studies that investigated the link of a seafood-rich diet (shellfish and fish) and heart disease had astounding results.
The studies revealed that people who eat seafood at least once per week are less likely to die due to heart disease compared to those who never or rarely consume seafood [3].
2. Fish oil can be good for your mental health.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated acids are crucial to brain function [4], by ensuring that your brain functions well, mental issues can be prevented.
Besides, research shows that people with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are more likely to have a major depression compared to those who don’t [5].
3. Fish oil can help you lose weight.
A study involving overweight adults suggests that fish oil can help people lose weight. After a month, participants who followed a diet rich with fish oil lost 2 pounds more than those who did not [6].
Another study investigated the effects of fish oil on overweight participants with high blood pressure or cholesterol. It revealed that regular exercise and fish oil supplements reduced the participants’ body fat content [7].
4. Fish oil can improve your visual health.
Vision declines as we age. Due to this, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs. AMD is a condition in which one’s vision becomes blurry. This is due to damage in the eye’s retina. A study showed that fish oil could reduce your risk for AMD [8].
Also, people who do have enough omega-3 fatty acids have a lower risk of getting visual impairment than those who don’t [9].
How Does Fish Oil Work Against Erectile Dysfunction?
Unbeknownst to many, fish oil does not only help with the conditions mentioned above. Fish oil can help treat ED symptoms, too.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can decrease intracavernosal pressure [10], the pressure within the corpora cavernosa. The corpora cavernosa are the spongy tissues that contain most of the blood which flows to the penis during an erection.
By relaxing the corpora cavernosa, fish oil allows more blood to flow to your penis. By doing this, you get an erection firm and sustainable enough for intercourse.
Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by psychological factors. Fish oil helps since it can make your brain relax. By doing this, you won’t feel anxious about having sex anymore.
Thus, fish oil for ED works by increasing blood flow to your penis and improving your psychological state.
How Much Fish Oil for Erectile Dysfunction Should You Take?
If your source of fish oil is fish, you can pretty much eat as much as you want. Fish is healthy food to eat. Just don’t deep fry it all the time.
On the other hand, supplements with fish oil for erectile dysfunction are a different case. A daily dose of 250 mg to 500 mg is considered safe. To make sure of the right dosage, consult your doctor.
