Sexual Dysfunction among men & women is on rise with around 16% of the adult Indian population suffering from its different forms.
One of the most debilitating forms of sexual dysfunction plaguing Indians is Erectile Dysfunction in men with a third of Indian males dealing with this dysfunction before the age of 40.
Over the last 10 years, the number of Indian men developing erectile dysfunction has quadrupled.
The current solutions to treat this sexual problem, which is considered a taboo & usually discussed in closed rooms, are restricted to oral medications, penile injections, vacuum devices & changes in lifestyle.
While high stress levels are considered to be the most common reasons for this sexual dysfunction, research has found that erectile dysfunction starts from the mouth with billions of microbes living there programing our biology for either health or disease.
The fascinating ecosystem in the mouth-The Oral Microbiome
Over the last few years, the science community has developed an interest in analysing the microbes living in our gut, so much so that there are thousands of clinical research papers elucidating the role of gut microbiome in health & disease. It has now been discovered that the microbes living in our mouth, around 700 species, are the second most diverse microbial ecosystem in our body. These microbes coat every surface of our mouth: right from tongue, teeth, gums, throat, and in saliva.The biochemical functions of oral microbes are foundational to functions performed by gut microbes which directly impacts immune health & mitochondrial function. As such oral microbes not only impacts our oral health, but have a downstream impact on our systemic health.
Recent evidence has discovered that erectile dysfunction, earlier considered to be a separate problem related to sexual dysfunction, is actually a vascular dysfunction & an early sign of cardiovascular disease. Erectile dysfunction is a circulatory problem- lack of blood to the sexual organs.
In order to get an erection, there is a need to increase the blood flow to the sex organs which is referred to as an engorgement. This means that there is a need to dilate or opening of the blood vessels that allows blood to rush to sex organs.
The key is to be able to increase blood flow upon demand when we are sexually aroused. Our body produces an essential signalling molecule-nitric oxide that signals specific vascular beds to increase the blood flow to specific organs. Once nitric oxide is produced it activates a specific enzyme- Guanylyl cyclase that boosts a second messenger cyclic GMP which dilates the blood vessels & widens the arteries of sex organs. More blood flows into sex organs filling the spongy tissue there that expands to form an erection.
Our Body utilises two pathways to produce nitric oxide :
1. Oral Microbiome: Specific oral microbes sense dietary nitrate & expresses specific genes that activate certain proteins that synthesise nitrate into nitrite. This nitrite travels & is protonated in stomach acid to produce nitric oxide.
2. Endothelium Pathway: We have endothelial cells lining our blood vessels that are capable of producing nitric oxide. Specific enzyme called endothelial nitric oxide synthase when coupled with endothelial cells can convert L-arginine in the presence of oxygen into nitric oxide along the lining of blood vessels & L-citrulline.
Once produced, Nitric oxide is gone in less than 5 seconds. Therefore our body should stimulate endogenous production of this essential molecule continuously to dilate blood vessels & stimulate increase in blood flow
However, if there is oral microbial dysbiosis due to wrong oral hygiene practices or improper nutrition or there is systemic inflammation & oxidative stress caused by gut or oral microbiome, it could lead to endothelial dysfunction & functional loss of nitric oxide production.
If you have endothelial dysfunction in the blood vessels of sex organs, then you have similar dysfunction in coronary arteries feeding the heart, cerebral arteries in the brain & every other organ throughout the body.
The PDE-5 inhibitors & drugs used to combat erectile dysfunction depend upon nitric oxide to function since nitric oxide activates cycle GMP & these drugs prevent breakdown of cyclic GMP.
Some of the science driven lifestyle tips to prevent the onset of erectile dysfunction
1. Stop using mouthwash & fluoride laden toothpaste as it disrupts oral microbiomes & leads to functional loss of nitric oxide
2. Consume green vegetables rich in nitrate & flavanols rich cocoa
3. Curtail the consumption of antacids as we need stomach acid to produce nitric oxide
4. Reduce the consumption of processed carbs & high sugar as high sugar & glucose can stick to protein & enzymes on cells, making your endothelial cell dysfunction
5. Replace seed & vegetable oils with healthy fats to stimulate nitric oxide production
6. Consider mouth taping during sleeping to stimulate nasal breathing that potentiates nitric oxide production
7. Get modern physical expertise at least 45 minutes daily
Authored by: Sushant Kumar, Founder & CEO-Genefitletics
Citations:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8109295/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1089860323000095
