Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals in the Management of Andrologic Disorders

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Dietary supplements and nutraceuticals are commonly used by men with erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, BPH, and concerns about developing prostate cancer. Many preparations do not contain the advertised dosages of the active ingredient or are contaminated. Dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, particularly those addressing erectile dysfunction and libido, need to undergo rigorous testing before they can be wholeheartedly recommended.

Section snippets

Common problems

Three problems can occur when dealing with dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.

First, the ingredients on the label may not be present in the indicated dosage, or may even be completely absent. This was the case in a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) study that found little or no yohimbine in most of the 18 supplements tested [9]. DHEA concentrations in supplements were determined at 0% to 150% of the amount indicated on the package [10]. Of 13 tested isoflavone preparations, 9 contained

ED and decreased libido

From 10 to 30 million American men suffer from ED [26], [27], and with a population that is aging and increasingly suffering from risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, the prevalence is bound to increase [28]. Although ED and decreased libido are different entities that do not necessarily overlap, many DS/N claim to improve both conditions. Unfortunately, the quality of many studies is hampered by small sample sizes, inappropriate or poorly controlled study designs, and a

Prostate health

A Canadian survey among over 1000 men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer found that 39% of responders were using alternative therapies, particularly DS/N [94]. A similar study in the United States showed that of over 2500 men with prostate cancer surveyed, about one third were using complementary or alternative medicine [95]. A smaller survey of men whose brothers had been diagnosed with prostate cancer revealed that 55% of responders were using complementary medicine [7]. The most popular

Summary

Dietary supplements and nutraceuticals are commonly used by men with ED, decreased libido, BPH, and concerns about developing prostate cancer. Many preparations do not contain the advertised dosages of the active ingredient or are contaminated. There is some evidence for the efficacy of pharmaceutical-grade yohimbine for ED. In contrast to ginkgo, Panax ginseng and L-arginine, particularly when combined with pycnogenol or yohimbine, may also improve ED. ALC and PLC have been used successfully

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