Overview

Do you have trouble maintaining an erection during sex? Erectile dysfunction could be the culprit. Men with ED find it difficult to become erect or stay erect. Sometimes arousals are inconsistent. Various factors may contribute to ED, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and clogged arteries.

Often ED is a problem that increases with age, most notably as a man enters his 50s. ED can happen in younger men, but it’s often due to injury or surgery that impacts the penis. Learn more about ED and age. Is it inevitable?

In the search for treatment options, L-tyrosine supplements are increasingly suggested to those with ED. Some research paints an optimistic picture, but how reliable is L-tyrosine?

L-tyrosine or tyrosine is an amino acid that’s vital for protein production within the body. Tyrosine influences pigment production and the development of dopamine in the brain. Humans often get tyrosine from foods high in protein.

Aside from high protein foods and ED supplements, it’s also common to find tyrosine in other health supplements.

Some stress reduction supplements feature tyrosine as an ingredient. In an article published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Professor Simon N. Young, PhD, expressed skepticism over the tyrosine-stress link. He noted that studies were often military-based, and of “little interest” to anyone outside of that specific group.

Dieters praise tyrosine as well, but the evidence linking it to weight loss is inconclusive at best.

What makes L-tyrosine more promising as an ED supplement? Recent research suggests that tyrosine usage could help treat ED.

A 2015 study published in European Urology found that L-tyrosine seemed to reverse the effect of neurological ED in mice. It had “therapeutic effects on ED and sexual behavior disorder.”

Though the findings are somewhat promising, the data is extremely limited. The study involved a small sample size of mice and focused on a very specific kind of ED. Further testing is needed before labeling L-tyrosine the newest answer to erectile dysfunction.

While researchers continue to determine the potential of tyrosine, there are things you can do right now to help ease the effects of ED.

Changes to lifestyle and dietary habits may relieve ED-related symptoms.

Caffeine

Regular caffeine intake could be a start. A study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that men who drank 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day were less likely to have ED-related issues. There was no change in the condition for men with diabetes.

Nitrates

Foods high in nitrates are frequently recommended to those with ED. Nitrates affect blood circulation. That can improve blood flow to the penis. Nitrate-rich foods include:

  • spinach
  • celery
  • endive
  • fennel
  • leek
  • parsley

Nitrate is not for everyone, particularly men taking Viagra (sildenafil) to treat their ED. According to research shared by the American Heart Association, the combination could cause potentially fatal heart problems.

Lycopene-rich foods

Other dietary solutions include lycopene-rich foods. Tomatoes and olive oil are two foods high in lycopene. Watermelons are said to have a Viagra-like effect, but these claims are not backed up by solid research.

Exercise

In addition to dietary changes, men with ED should get plenty of exercise. Research has shown that aerobic exercises can lower ED symptoms in some men. Men who are obese and have ED are encouraged to start a fitness regime. Learn more: 6 natural treatments for erectile dysfunction.

If you suspect you have ED, talk with your doctor immediately. Although erectile dysfunction is problematic on its own, it could also be a sign of a more serious condition.

Before you take any tyrosine supplements, be sure to let your doctor know. If you begin to experience side effects you didn’t have prior to starting L-tyrosine, stop taking the supplements and contact your doctor immediately.

As of now, there don’t appear to be too many major side effects associated with tyrosine supplements. However, there simply aren’t enough studies to conclusively prove that tyrosine is safe for everyone. And the studies that do exist aren’t very recent.

Questionable suggestions and sensationalized articles about ED treatments clutter the Internet. It’s not always safe to trust Internet data alone. Erectile dysfunction may be hard to treat and harder to live with, but nothing is worth risking your health. Make sure you do proper research and get advice from a medical professional.