Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that must be obtained through diet or health supplements because they cannot be made by the human body. These fatty acids may be important in preventing many health problems, including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and male impotency (erectile dysfunction). They also play a role in improving mood and sharpening memory.
Sources of Omega-3 fatty acids
Cold water fish are the highest source of omega-3 fatty acids. Other foods contain these fatty acids as well, however, in smaller amounts.
How Omega-3 fatty acids help in erectile dysfunction
There is a close link between the narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) and male impotency or erectile dysfunction. The blood supply to the penis comes from arteries in the abdomen (belly). Smaller arteries branch off to carry blood down into the penis. When it’s time for an erection, these arteries dilate. More blood flows into the penis, causing it to swell. The rush of blood creates high pressure in the penis that also slows down the flow of blood out of the penis. This produces a firm erection that can be maintained until orgasm, if the blood vessels are healthy.
To get and maintain an erection, blood vessels in the penis have to be robust, to rapidly increase blood flow. Erectile dysfunction usually means blood vessels everywhere aren’t in perfect health. This can be a signal of increased risk, long before blockages from atherosclerosis form. In other words, in your penis, blood flow needs to open wide during sexual arousal.
Likewise, you need wide open blood flow to your heart’s arteries during exercise. The inside lining of blood vessels (endothelium) releases chemicals on demand to accomplish this.
The endothelium can be damaged by high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, or diabetes. They also cause atherosclerosis. Once damaged, the endothelium can’t expand arteries to increase blood flow as well. Less blood flow into the penis means a less firm erection.
Scientific evidence has proved that the omega-3 fatty acids can aid in the reduction of cholesterol levels, increase relaxation in arteries and blood vessels, and thereby improve blood flow to the genitals and the heart. Therefore, if you are consuming sufficient quantities of omega-3 fatty acids and practicing good dietary and physical activity measures, the chances of development of atherosclerosis in both your body and penile arteries will be greatly reduced or minimized.
In addition, those who already have atherosclerosis and are suffering from erectile dysfunction will also be benefitted from the their effects as they relax and dilate the blood vessels of the penis to allow more and greater blood flow which is essential for longer and harder erections.
Last but not least, Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most important dietary nutrients that are essential for the health of our body, heart and penis. As it is difficult to obtain and consume the dietary sources of these fatty acids on daily basis, one of the easy and economical ways to have sufficient daily intake of Omega-3 fatty acids is to consume a natural health supplement (e.g. Male Extra) that contains sufficient quantities of Omega-3 fatty acids.
This will not only suffice the daily dietary requirements of these vital fatty acids but will also bring multiple health benefits to our body because of the presence of other important components.