Metabolic Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

The ability to achieve and sustain an erection depends on a complex interaction of sensory information, nerves, blood vessels, hormones and emotions. In particular, vascular tissue in the penis needs to fill with blood after nerves have carried sexual stimulation from the brain. Regular failure to achieve an erection is called Erectile Dysfunction or ED. Estimates of the total number of American men who suffer from ED range from 15-30 million, according to the National Institutes of Health. This stressful disorder is often linked to Insulin Resistance, an imbalance in blood glucose and insulin levels associated with Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X). This latter disorder is a cluster of increased risk factors for heart disease which place extra strain on the cardiovascular system and can disrupt the delicate balance required to achieve an erection. However, both Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome can be reversed, thereby often removing underlying causes of ED. Excess insulin in the blood stream created by Insulin Resistance is implicated in ED because it damages the endothelium of cardiovascular vessels. The endothelium is the layer on the inside of blood vessels which secretes chemical mediators that instruct the vessel to contract or relax. To achieve an erection, a release of nitric oxide from the endothelium has to create vascular dilation, allowing vessels to fill with blood. This influx of blood is necessary for achieving an erection. Any decrease in nitric oxide supply to the penis caused by insulin-damaged endothelium lessens or prevents vascular dilation and contributes to Erectile Dysfunction. Men with Metabolic Syndrome are particularly vulnerable to the onset of reversible Pre-Diabetes, another disorder closely linked with ED. If neglected, Pre-Diabetes may lead to Type 2 Diabetes, which must be managed for the rest of one's life and often requires daily insulin injections. Between 35-50% of men with Diabetes experience ED because the various forms of this disorder can damage nerves and arteries, making it difficult to achieve an erection. A Complexity of Factors Essentially, Erectile Dysfunction occurs when the body experiences a breakdown in the sequence of events that normally lead to an erection. This disruption can occur in nerve impulses to and from the brain, spine and penis or in the muscles, fibrous tissues and arteries in or near the corpora cavernosa – the two parallel chambers of the penis that fill with blood to create an erection. Erectile Dysfunction is not the same as premature ejaculation, a low sex drive or a low sperm count that results in male infertility, though one or more of these conditions may accompany ED. Occasional failure to achieve an erection (less than 20% of the time) can occur for a variety of reasons – such as drinking too much alcohol or extreme fatigue – and is not considered unusual. But a failure rate of more than 50% during occasions when a man wants to have an erection usually indicates a problem that requires treatment. Erectile Dysfunction is much more common in older men – researchers estimate that half of men over age 60 have ED. A wide variety of physical and psychological conditions are associated with ED. As well as Pre- and Type 2 Diabetes, they can include prostate surgery, depression, stress, performance anxiety, kidney disease and hormonal imbalances. Because of the complexity of factors in an erection, ED can involve physical or psychological issues – or a combination of the two. As many as 70% of cases of ED are caused by cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, which Metabolic Syndrome can set in motion. This disorder is a type of hardening of the arteries in which cholesterol, fat and other blood components build up in the walls of arteries via poor diet and lack of regular exercise resulting in excess weight gain. As the condition progresses, the arteries to the heart may narrow, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the heart and brain. This restriction damages the cardiovascular system and can also reduce blood flow to the tissues of the penis, causing ED. Click here to read about the ground-breaking Insulite MetaX System, which is scientifically-designed to help reverse Metabolic Syndrome and its linked disorder, ED. The System includes numerous formulations like RejuvenX that, among other ingredients, includes Vitamin C to improves blood circulation by reducing damage to arteries. You may be interested in some of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Metabolic Syndrome and the Insulite MetaX System. Can I purchase the supplements only, without the diet and exercise guidelines? How will I feel when I use the Insulite MetaX System? Why does the Insulite MetaX System recommend a regular exercise program to reverse Metabolic Syndrome? Click here to read about Metabolic Syndrome and Stress Return to Home Page