Researchers from Taiwan have found a direct correlation between Erectile Dysfunction, the decline of testosterone, and exposure to arsenic via well water—a connection of potential concern for the millions of men worldwide, including CT, who drink groundwater contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic
Besides its association with Erectile Dysfunction, cardiovascular disease has also been linked to chronic arsenic exposure, perhaps by reducing the synthesis of nitric oxide, which is involved in the control of smooth muscle in blood vessels. In the penis, nitric oxide activates cyclic guano-sine mono-phosphate, which dilates blood vessels, allowing the penis to become engorged with blood. Testosterone can regulate activity of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which creates nitric oxide.
As arsenic exposure of participants increased, so did the risk of erectile dysfunction. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 83.3% among men from the arsenic-endemic area compared with 66.7% among men outside this area. Moreover, as the arsenic exposure of the participants increased, their testosterone levels decreased.
According to the authors, arsenic exposure appears to increase erectile dysfunction risk by decreasing testosterone levels. However, they speculate that other factors are at work, as decreases in testosterone did not account for all the erectile dysfunction found in men with high arsenic exposures. The presence of oxygen free radicals can inhibit the synthesis of nitric oxide and impair blood vessel function. Therefore, the researchers suggest that oxidative stress from high arsenic exposure may also increase erectile dysfunction risk.
Article courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Science
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