I do not want to come off as hyperbolic and I am most certainly not the first to say this... but I would like to encourage anyone having ED problems that you believe are related to Diabetes (autonomic nerve), Atherosclerosis or even Peyronie's to research Autophagy and consider long term water only fasting.
As I recently recounted and documented in my journey here - https://www.franktalk.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15512 - I have tried several solutions and I have been very aggressive in my treatment with the absolute determination that implants or injections were off the table as - IMO - they only mask or bypass the problem as opposed to fixing your body.
That is NOT IN ANY WAY meant to say medical procedures are not the right option for many because they are... only that for me I am/was determined to make certain that was a last resort.
For my particular case (see above link for particulars) I had found some limited success first with ED pills then with supplements, diet changes, significant weight loss and libido increase all after a medical emergency that ended up being a heart blockage (single stent) and a diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
After making significant lifestyle changes and finding some limited success with a KETO diet and SOME intermittment fasting I was encouraged by research into longer term fasts (minimum of 7 days up to 30 with water only) along with research into Autophagy, which is a recent scientific discovery that garnered the nobel prize in 2016 - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medic ... 6/summary/
So to make a long story... less long... I recently completed a 10 day water only fast and was amazed at the almost IMMEDIATE and TANGIBLE improvement. It has been 15 days total (10 fast, 5 intermittent fasting one meal a day only) and not only has my ED improved significantly but a shoulder problem I had been dealing with for OVER A YEAR that had become borderline debilitating is nearly healed! As a side benefit, I lost another 8 pounds and find myself back near my high school weight.
And for those that think that it is impossible to not eat for 10 or more days... let me introduce you to a guy named Angus Barbieri who holds the record for longest fast at 382 days (losing 276 pounds!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus_Bar ... s%20period.
I would offer that my 10 day experience was not really that difficult. On the third day I had some hunger pangs that lasted about 90 minutes... I drank LOTS of water and the next 7 days were remarkably easy PHYSICALLY. I will say though that mentally and socially it is challenging. I found that sometimes your brain just EXPECTS you to eat and is not afraid to tell you so! Also going out with friends or family can pose a risk so I mostly self quarantined to home when possible (pretty easy to do in today's COVID world).
During this time I stopped taking most of my supplements as you want to let your body be a little stressed so that autophagy can do its thing so you will want to avoid anti-oxidants like vitamin C. I only took Alpha-Lipoic acid and my NAD+ during this time. Also note that supplements like vitamin E, Omega 3s and vitamin D (really anything in a gel cap) are fat soluable and will break the fast (as will ANY calories).
I did add an electrolyte/trace mineral powder and fiber to my water which i personally think is important.
From a results standpoint, there is no doubt in my mind that the improvement is real and not placebo, something my wife definitely noticed without a word from me!
I have much improved night tumescence and other than resuming a microdose of cialis (<3mg cut myself) daily (which I consider therapy based on studies showing improved/smoothing of the endothelial walls), I have required nothing additional. In fact I plan on going off the cialis microdose next week just to gain a barometer of improvement based on my bodies healing.
I should also add that while I am now 100% convinced that long term fasting and autophagy are a viable and new frontier for MANY conditions... because of its nature (its free lol)... it provides ZERO benefit to the profitability of pharmaceutical companies and the medical industry at large so it will always be questioned and likely never fully accepted.
That said, I would emphasize that consulting with your Doctor is important as their can be impacts based on any medical conditions and especially consider any medications you might be taking. I spoke with my Doctor a few months ago after my weight loss to get the "AOK" to be removed from the statins and blood pressure medications which can also contribute to ED.
In closing, let me just say this forum has been such an oasis for me to find like minded people struggling with various levels and diagnosis of erectile problems and I hope others will at least look into this as a potential treatment. Jumping from a normal and perhaps standard american diet to a long term fast may be too much to start but do some research on your own and talk to your Doctor to possibly explore other changes such as low carb, KETO or intermittment/one meal a day fasting as I am absolutely certain these changes can help most of us.
Good luck and please do not hesitate to ask any questions, I have spent hundreds of hours researching this topic!
Autophagy - A Cure For Some!
Re: Autophagy - A Cure For Some!
Thanks for sharing your experience and I am happy for you that it helps you.
I read your original topic and it seems that your ED is still mild. I hope you will be able to fix it or at least maintain it.
My ED is severe as can be. No erections at all. Zero. Even with Pills.
I started intermittent fasting two months ago, also hoping that it will help somehow, but I have known many disappointments in the last 10 years.
I am already in great shape with low body fat, so I don't have any fat reservoir and I am not sure that I can survive long fasts.
And regarding long fasts, what about muscle loss? and can you exercise during your long fast?
Thanks,
Benny
I read your original topic and it seems that your ED is still mild. I hope you will be able to fix it or at least maintain it.
My ED is severe as can be. No erections at all. Zero. Even with Pills.
I started intermittent fasting two months ago, also hoping that it will help somehow, but I have known many disappointments in the last 10 years.
I am already in great shape with low body fat, so I don't have any fat reservoir and I am not sure that I can survive long fasts.
And regarding long fasts, what about muscle loss? and can you exercise during your long fast?
Thanks,
Benny
46 yo. ED for 10 years. No erection at all. TRT Nebido. Pills don't work.
Re: Autophagy - A Cure For Some!
I just wanted to give an update. As in my OP, I have become been doing consistent fasting periods to start autogphagy and - generally - maintain keto or low carb most of the time (I have certainly taken 1-2 day breaks once or twice a month).
My ED has most definitely improved to the point where some days I feel almost cured! I still have a few frustrations with staying power but my research has found that autophagy is powerful but not an overnight cure so I am being patient.
If other methods are not working, you might consider doing your own research and committing to a long term fasting/intermitent-fasting/low carb/keto/NO SUGAR diet. It has worked wonders for me with ED, weight and overall health.
Good luck to all and happy New Year!
My ED has most definitely improved to the point where some days I feel almost cured! I still have a few frustrations with staying power but my research has found that autophagy is powerful but not an overnight cure so I am being patient.
If other methods are not working, you might consider doing your own research and committing to a long term fasting/intermitent-fasting/low carb/keto/NO SUGAR diet. It has worked wonders for me with ED, weight and overall health.
Good luck to all and happy New Year!
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