What Vitamins Are Good For Erectile Dysfunction?

April 05, 2021

4 mins

Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men in the United States every year, and more than 50% of guys over the age of 40. It’s so common, in fact, that just about everyone knows the term – and they know the brand name for the most common treatment, Viagra®. So too we've all seen or heard advertisements for over-the-counter herbs and supplements (Horny Goat weed, for example) that promise to boost sexual performance and help achieve and maintain an erection. 

If you're experiencing difficulties in the bedroom related to erectile dysfunction you may have considered tryings some of these potential fixes. The most effective and proven treatments are still prescription ED medications (such as sildenafil or Viagra®), as well as lifestyle changes such as losing weight, drinking less alcohol, and stopping smoking.

But that’s not to say that certain natural supplements and vitamins won't help too, especially if you're deficient in some key vitamins or minerals.

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Which Vitamins Can Help Treat Erectile Dysfunction? 

Deep research into this subject has been a little bit lacking but we do know that certain vitamins will impact the physiological systems related to sexual function. 

While none of these vitamins will “cure” erectile dysfunction, they may help to alleviate the symptoms related to erectile dysfunction:

• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

• Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

• Vitamin D

• L-arginine

There are other vitamins that may assist with erectile dysfunction, and possibly herbs that may improve sexual function. Although less research has been conducted into these natural alternatives, these herbs have been used for centuries in Eastern and holistic medicine in an attempt to treat erectile dysfunction, though with varying degrees of success: ginseng, horny goat weed (also known as epimedium), yohimbe or yohimbine, carnitines, L-citrulline and ginkgo.

Do Vitamins Actually Work? 

It’s important to remember that while there is some evidence of vitamins helping with erectile dysfunction, it’s generally agreed that they will not treat or cure the condition with the same effectiveness as prescription medications. The exception is when you're severely deficient in certain vitamins, which is fairly uncommon in the U.S.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is one of the few vitamins that research has shown to provide at least some efficacy in boosting erectile functions. That being said, the sample size of studies demonstrating this effectiveness is rather small, and more research is required. Niacin is known to help decrease high blood pressure and is sometimes used to treat the hardening of arteries and high levels of cholesterol, both of which are known to cause impotence. 

In the event that one of these underlying conditions is the cause of an erectile dysfunction, then niacin may be able to help restore circulation and blood flow to the penis to achieve erections. 

To up your intake of Vitamin B3 through changes to your diet, consider eating more:

• Liver

• Chicken breast

• Tuna

• Turkey 

• Avocado 

• Green peas

• Mushrooms

The most common side effect of consuming too much niacin is flushing of the skin. Starting at a lower dose and slowly increasing your dosage with the help of a physician may help to combat this, or taking some aspirin may help as well. Other potential side effects may include:

• Impaired blood sugar control

• Blurred vision

• Gout

• Liver damage

• Nausea and vomiting

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) 

A lack of folic acid may cause high homocysteine levels, which can impair erectile functions, and supplementing folic acid can help to increase nitric oxide, which is beneficial to erections. 

Studies have shown that daily folic acid supplements can also help to reduce the hardening of arteries and allows for better circulation. Since cardiovascular disease can be a major risk factor in sexual dysfunction, some experts believe that improving overall health function with vitamin B9 can also help to improve erectile functions. 

Good blood flow and circulation to the penis are essential for both achieving and maintaining an erection. A daily dose of folic acid may also act as a mood stabilizer and could help in both stress related cases of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation during intercourse. More research is necessary to really understand it’s true efficacy in the matter. 

Some foods that are great sources of B9 are:

• Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale

• Legumes, such as beans, peas and lentils

• Avocados

• Asparagus

• Eggs

• Citrus fruits

• Beets

• Brussel sprouts

• Bananas

• Broccoli

• Papaya

• Cereal, rice and pasta

Ingesting too much folic acid could result in:

• Decreased appetite

• Gas and bloating

• Decreased sleep quality

• Feelings of depression

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 

In order to get an erection, your body needs to release nitric oxide. While vitamin C does not release nitric oxide directly, it does help to support the biochemical pathways leading to nitric oxide release, which is an essential part of increasing blood flow and achieving erections. 

There is no evidence that vitamin C is effective at improving erectile dysfunction directly, but there are many other reported benefits to getting a healthy amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is necessary for the growth, repair, and development of all body tissues, so even if it does not help to improve sexual function, getting more vitamin C can at least help to support your immune system. 

Some ways to to get more vitamin C in your diet include eating:

• Cantaloupe

• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

• Citrus fruits such as oranges or grapefruit

• Watermelon

• Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower

• Cabbage

• Spinach and other leafy greens like kale

Too much vitamin C, however, can result in potential side effects that may include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Heartburn

• Headache

• Kidney stones

• Diarrhea

Vitamin D 

There have been multiple studies showing that a significant number of men that experience erectile dysfunction have a deficiency of vitamin D. Recent studies have suggested that achieving healthy levels of vitamin D could possibly improve testosterone levels, which can help to decrease the risk of erectile dysfunction. 

Additional research is still required to fully understand how effective vitamin D is for treating erectile dysfunction, but there are plenty other benefits to this supplement that are worthwhile. If you're deficient in vitamin D, increasing intake can help to foster a healthier immune system and to support bone health. 

Aside from getting enough sunlight (vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin”), other sources of vitamin D include:

• Fatty fish and seafoods such as salmon, mackaerel, sardines, tuna, shrimp and oysters

• Cheese

• Egg yolks

• Mushrooms

• Vitamin D fortified foods including cow milk, nut milks, orange juice and yogurt

It’s uncommon to experience vitamin D toxicity, but it can happen. If you have too much of this supplement than you may experience:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Weakness

• Frequent urination

• Constipation

• Heart rhythm issues

• Confusion

L-Arginine 

Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels, which helps to improve blood flow and circulation, two critical components of proper erectile function. L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that works to boost levels of nitric oxide. Increasing L-arginine may increase the production of nitric oxide, which will result in increased blood flow and may lead to improved erections. 

Although there is good research that backs up the effectiveness of L-arginine, it’s limited to men who have low levels of nitric oxide. This means that if you have normal levels of nitric oxide, L-arginine will most likely have no effect. 

Some food thats are high in L-arginine are:

• Pumpkin or squash seeds

• Watermelon

• Nuts and seeds

• Meats such as turkey, chicken, pork, and beef

• Legumes

• Seaweed

Some potential side effects of ingesting too much L-arginine may include:

• Bloating

• Abdominal pain

• Gout

• Low blood pressure

• Blood abnormality 

• Diarrhea

Are Vitamins More Effective Than Medication? 

So far there have been limited trials and research to prove the effectiveness of vitamins in treating erectile dysfunction. As a result, evidence that they may be more effective than medication does not currently exist. 

When compared to prescription medications like sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®) or tadalafil (Cialis®), vitamins won't be anywhere near as effective for the average guy dealing with ED. However, a doctor may suggest trying these vitamins in combination with prescription medications or in the event that prescription medication for erectile dysfunction cannot safely interact with other medications you may be taking. 

It’s important to seek professional medical advice from a doctor before taking any new medications, dietary supplements, or vitamins. They may create complications, interact negatively with your current medications, or even exacerbate pre-existing conditions. 

How Rex MD Can Help

There are plenty of vitamins that may help reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction when paired with ED medications; however, not enough research has been done to concludue that any of them are equal to prescription medications in terms of efficacy. The best way to use vitamins to increase sexual function is when you're experiencing a deficiency. 

The most effective way to treat erectile dysfunction “naturally” is by improving your overall health and addressing underlying conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular issues: losing weight, drinking less alcohol, stopping smoking, and increasing exercise are all great first steps and have demonstrated the ability to reduce the risk of ED. Adding specific vitamins to your diet may help to improve certain physiologic functions that will aid with erectile dysfunction, but they are unlikely to ED on their own. 

Taking prescription ED medications are an effective way to alleviate the symptoms of ED, and Rex MD can help. We connect patients with physicians to evaluate and prescribe medications like Viagra® (sildenafil) virtually, all done from your phone or computer.