Diabetes is one of the leading causes of ED. It is estimated that somewhere between 35%-75% of men with diabetes will have some erectile dysfunction issues, whereas the general population is at only 26%.[1] Furthermore, those with diabetes tend to suffer symptoms of ED at younger ages than those without, by about 10 to 15 years. [1]
Can diabetes be treated naturally, thus reversing its negative effects on sex and erections?
We covered some of the basics around erectile function (and dysfunction) in this earlier article. We’ve also covered the basics of diabetes and blood sugar.
And now, as many customers have been asking about this specifically, we dive deeper into how ED is related to diabetes and what you can do about it.
How Does Diabetes Lead to ED?
There are two possibilities here:
1. Damage to the blood vessels in and around the genitals.
More specifically, or scientifically, “Atherosclerosis in the penile and pudendal arteries limits the blood flow into the corpus cavernosum. Because of the loss of compliance in the cavernous trabeculae, the venous flow is also lost. This loss of blood flow to the penis results in the inability of the corpora cavernosae to expand and compress the outflow vessels.”[1]
2. Damage to nerves that are responsible for causing erections.
More specifically, or with bigger words, “Autonomic neuropathy is a major contributor to the high incidence of ED in people with diabetes. Norepinephrine- and acetylcholine-positive fibers in the corpus cavernosum have also been shown to be reduced in people with diabetes. This results in loss of the autonomic nerve-mediated muscle relaxation that is essential for erections.”[1]
Both of these essentially occur because of high blood sugar levels causing oxidative damage and inflammation in these areas. The specifics of how these occur may change depending on the tissue, but it all starts with that.
Please note that ED from diabetes takes a long time to build up. The damage is being caused by tiny chinks in the blood vessels and nerves over years. It just may be one night you can’t perform. But it didn’t happen overnight. The process began long ago.
For this reason, what is discussed here is important for people that have metabolic syndrome, or pre-diabetes, too, not just full-blown diabetes. It is far easier to reverse when less damage has been done. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
The blood and nerve vessel damage is the primary culprit here. In other words, your hormone levels could be completely fine. For some that is not the problem at all, and thus trying to increase testosterone further, will not make a difference. But low T often comes along with diabetes too.
(Of course, if you’re going with natural herbs, even if you’re targeting towards one effect, sometimes other effects occur.)
Other Impotence Culprits
ED can also be complicated by other effects.
Psychological issues can exacerbate ED issues. For instance, once you fail, many guys will have anxiety over it happening again in the future…which in turn, can lead to exactly what you’re worried about! That’s a vicious cycle and self-fulfilling prophecy.
How does this happen?
It’s basic to the human fight-or-flight response of our central nervous system. As soon as you begin thinking before or during sex, especially that you’re going to fail, you almost certainly will. Whether you realize it or not, you’re telling yourself to induce ED psychologically.
Then there is also high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues. These can be separate or combined with issues from diabetes, both leading to ED.
Lastly, some medications can have side effects that cause ED in the first place. I’m no expert in meds, so please talk to your doctor about that if you’re on them, as many do have this devastating side effect.
The Standard Western Approach to ED Treatment
As listed at the Mayo Clinic you have lots of options including:
- Drugs! Take your pick of many different types of ED drugs that are available.
- If you can’t pop the erection pills or they don’t work for you, the next option is a penile suppository or injection…aka more invasive ways of giving you drugs that increase blood flow to the penis.
- Vacuum pumps can also be used.
- And lastly, penile implants.
The Mayo Clinic does mention a few lifestyle interventions, including stopping smoking, losing weight, getting physical activity and cutting out alcohol. One or more of these lifestyle changes can only help you in your battle with ED.
What they do not mention at all is diet, even though type 2 diabetes is fairly simply reversed! Not easy…but simple. More on that soon.
Notice that each thing recommend only treats the symptoms. None of them act on the cause, diabetes in the first place. This is the major failing of the conventional medical model: management of symptoms and not the treatment of causes.
A Natural Approach to Diabetes Reversal
Type 2 Diabetes is reversible. It is curable.
Many doctors may not accept this but that doesn’t mean it’s not true. Doctors also didn’t use to believe in washing their hands despite the evidence but thankfully, that eventually changed.
But just because it can be cured does NOT mean you can continue living the same sort of lifestyle or eating the same diet.
Some massive changes are required.
I’ll be the first to admit, I am not an expert in reversing diabetes, but I know it’s been done many times.
For example, a ketogenic diet can be used. In one pilot study with 21 subjects completing the 16-week trial they found, “The [low carbohydrate ketogenic diet] improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes such that diabetes medications were discontinued or reduced in most participants.” [2]
On the flip side, I also remember watching a documentary where raw vegan food and whole plant-based diets are used to get people off of insulin medication entirely too.
Lots of options. I invite you to do your own research to go deeper. And I know you’ll be asking in the comments so I’ll offer you this…
While I haven’t read these books, I have read other works by the same authors. The Diabetes Code by Dr. Jason Fung, covers a low-carbohydrate, ketosis approach. Meanwhile, The End of Diabetes by Dr. Joel Fuhrman covers a plant-based diet approach.
You know what? Both of these have gotten good results. That’s why I say it’s simple.
Remember though, it took some time for the damage to be done. And depending how far it’s gone, it could take some significant time to undo that damage but if you’re sincere and determined to find a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction caused by diabetes, you’ll stick with it and enjoy the rewards.
Herbs That Can Help Along the Way
Herbs will not cure diabetes. They will not cure ED either.
But they may help support you getting back to healthy, normal levels of blood sugar or regular sexual function.
While there are many possibilities, here I’ll simply point you in certain directions:
[pt_view id=”592c1ffzja”]Thor’s Hammer
Our potency formula that helps across several factors of erectile health. Now you may not need the testosterone boosting part, but it can help with both blood flow and neurological health. Again, it depends on the extent of damage done. It’s worth a shot and there is a money back guarantee. (And if it works for you, or not, would you please let us know so that we can help others with diabetes that are suffering the same symptoms?)
Gynostemma Tea
A relatively inexpensive tea, that tastes great and has many adaptogenic benefits. Specifically, this tea was found to be supportive of insulin signaling. [3]
Shilajit
First of all, this happens to be one of the ingredients in Thor’s Hammer. But I don’t mention it here for how it assists in that formula. Instead, I mention it because of its blood sugar leveling effects. In fact, diabetics, especially those on medication, would need to be cautious with it. But used properly it may be able to support health in a wide variety of ways.
There’s a whole lot more, but I think it can be more useful to point you to fewer things at this point.
And to reiterate, these herbs need to be used in combination with restoring a healthy diet and lifestyle if you truly want these diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction issues to become a thing of the past.
References:
1. Neelima V. Chu, MD and Steven V. Edelman, MD. Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction. Clinical Diabetes 2001 Jan; 19(1): 45-47. http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/19/1/45
2. William S Yancy, Jr, Marjorie Foy, Allison M Chalecki, et al.. A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet to treat type 2 diabetes. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2005; 2: 34. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2005; 2: 34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1325029/
3. Huyen, V. T., Phan, D. V., Thang, P., Ky, P. T., Hoa, N. K., & Ostenson, C. G. (2012). Antidiabetic Effects of Add-On Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Extract Therapy with Sulfonylureas in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,2012, 1-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3572697/
- What to do about Unbearable Tastes? - May 26, 2023
- Don’t Buy Supplements on Amazon - May 12, 2023
- Reversing BPA Toxicity with Cistanche - May 3, 2023
Lost Empire Herbs
I really like your blog design and this above post is really informative. Keep it up Great work!
Hi there since years i have type diabetic have some both good and ad experience of this i thought that i will share of the knowledge i know ok.
Nr. 1 the inflammation in the carpus cavernosa that starts the whole process of you getting problems from time to time and also further on let you know by experience that the blue small pills that the doc is so eager to prescribe for you also leads to a dead end to is clearly described up over here in the text.
but no doctor will ever tell you the true reason for this the 1st name of meds the prescribe u is METFORMINEthis one have 2 siblings also the effect is the same of all 3 of them in the medical book of medications efficiency and whats come as an now is hec effect of this medicine is vascular and heart disease as a mail in the letter box to you all. Metformine gives u high blood pressure and also further on heart disease too.Ginger though have the same effect as metformine and the other 2 siblings to that but with out the negative effect as the medicine.
ginger combined with stalk celery and goji berries and lemon. watermelon gives u a inflammation solving broom to the vascular system in the body . THis said this is not a thing that function with in an hour this you need to drink every day in the morning and gradually this will clean ur vascular system with out bad side effects like Metformine and this medications 2 siblings ok. the inflammation how ever silent is there in the carpus covernosa always and the dock never tell you how to fix this there is no medicine for it as far as i know i’ve used my little knowledge i have to find all the vegetables and fruits that fight inflammation with the help of the body with various results and also some vitamins that help to support the blood flow and also to fight the infection at the same time called cordyceps sinensis that is very good and u will know the effect of this with in a week that things start to recover .
The “Atherosclerosis in the penile and pudendal arteries limits the blood flow into the corpus cavernosum. Because of the loss of compliance in the cavernous trabeculae, the venous flow is also lost. This loss of blood flow to the penis results in the inability of the corpora cavernosae to expand and compress the outflow vessels.”[1] is a main reason for the problem.
But no doctor i have asked this about in my 40 years as an diabetic have a clue what i’m talking about no i’m not a doctor i’m just a normal dude that got very pissed of when i found out about this disease i got in my early teens. i have read about natural things to help the body to fight this all my life. Have some clues about to fight a few things but still looking for the herbal way to get free from this totally
Diabetes starts with an infection in you’re stomach.there is a shield in the that have the acids and workers that grind the food down so to speak and this shield that hold this locked in the to help the body solve and mix our food down to liquid sometimes get sick and start to leek. 1 aha clue nr 1 this makes you get Diabetic type 1 cause these workers that grind the food down leaks out of you’re stomach and into your gut and makes trouble there so the body starts to fight it self instead of healing the leak in the shield in the that have broken. i asked my doctor if type 2 is the same but she wouldn’t tell me. But i also know that type 2 do not depend on weight or to salt or some other excuse that they usually tell you cause type 2 u can get rid of if u make a few changes in you’re diet and life
hurray to all of you who can get free of this as far as i know i still cant cause i’m still fighting this type 1 but there have to be a clue of this to solve it right ? so to all of you try to eat as manny inflammation fighting vegetables and fruits u can find and make salads and other things and eat them a few times per day and u’ll se that this will help the body to fight this inflammation that causes this problem for us ok.
Best regard to all of u Goran in SWEDEN
you should use a pump vacuum and elastic band that holds the blood in penis
Could you pls tell us the combination , measurements and the way you use for your (smoothie?) of ginger , celery , goji , etc ?
Thank you
Good morning I have diabetes and I just started taking med I have your shilajit. Would it be better for me to take the thor’s hammer then the shilajit?
So I ordered Thor’s Hammer. Would I benefit from taking it daily? As the instructions say before sexual activity. Thanks. Ben
Could the same issues be created by radiation treatment for prostate cancer? By that I mean the same neuropathy and blood vessel damage .
I am using the Phoenix formula with overall good results and hoping for gradual results as to the ED.
I understand that there are no guarantees and after being clear for 4 years I am trying to regain my
Health.