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The Truth About Erectile Dysfunction and All the “Fixes” You See Online

If you spend time on social media, you’ve probably seen ads that promise to “fix” erectile dysfunction (ED). Some show magic pills or powders. Others push testosterone boosters, strange diets, or expensive gadgets.

Here’s the truth: most of these quick fixes don’t work long-term. They may provide short-term relief, but they don’t address the underlying problem.

ED is not just about age or low testosterone. It’s about cellular health, the health of your body’s smallest building blocks, and chronic inflammation, which is a kind of hidden fire that damages your blood vessels and cells over time.

Just like high blood pressure, dry eye, and memory problems, ED is a signal that something deeper is off. It means that your blood vessels, hormones, and cells are no longer communicating effectively.

Most men don’t suddenly get ED in their 30s or 40s. It develops slowly, after years of inflammation that harms blood flow and makes cell membranes stiff. The good news is that once you understand what’s going on, you can start to fix it naturally, by improving your cell health and reducing inflammation.

Let’s take a closer look at the six key systems that must work together for a healthy erection, and how inflammation quietly gets in the way.

The Six Pathways to an Erection

1. Brain and Nerve Signals

An erection starts in the brain. Thoughts, emotions, and touch send nerve signals down to the penis, telling blood vessels to open.

When inflammation disrupts it: Stress, anxiety, high blood sugar, or nerve problems can block these signals, making it harder for the brain and body to stay in sync.

2. Nitric Oxide and Blood Vessel Relaxation

The inside lining of your blood vessels is called the endothelium. When it’s healthy, it releases a gas called nitric oxide (NO) that helps blood vessels relax and fill with blood (Burnett, 2006).

When inflammation disrupts it: A poor diet and oxidative stress lower nitric oxide levels. Without sufficient NO, blood vessels constrict and blood flow decreases (Montorsi et al., 2003).

3. Blood Flow and Circulation

When nitric oxide does its job, blood rushes into two chambers in the penis called the corpora cavernosa. These chambers fill and trap blood, creating firmness.

When inflammation disrupts it: Over time, inflammation causes arteries to stiffen and narrow. This is known as endothelial dysfunction, and it’s the same process that contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease. That’s why ED is often an early sign of heart problems.

4. Energy and Mitochondria

Your cells need energy to make things work, including erections. Inside every cell are tiny power plants called mitochondria that make adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s energy fuel.

When inflammation disrupts it: Inflammation damages mitochondria, slowing down energy production (Ochoa et al., 2014). With less energy, muscles and nerves can’t perform at their best.

5. Hormones and Balance

Hormones such as testosterone, dopamine, and thyroid hormones help regulate desire, mood, and nitric oxide release.

When inflammation disrupts it, chronic inflammation lowers testosterone and damages hormone receptors, making it harder for the body to use hormones properly (Maggio et al., 2006).

6. Cell Membrane Flexibility

Each cell in your body is surrounded by a thin membrane made of fats. When omega-6 and omega-3 fats are in balance, the membrane remains soft and flexible, allowing nutrients and signals to move easily in and out.

When inflammation disrupts it: Too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 make membranes stiff (Stillwell & Wassall, 2003). Rigid membranes block hormones, nutrients, and nitric oxide, leading to issues with energy, blood flow, and performance.

ED, High Blood Pressure, Dry Eye, and Dementia: All Connected

Erectile dysfunction doesn’t stand alone. It’s part of a bigger picture that includes:

• Dry eye: Inflammation damages the tear glands.
• High blood pressure: Inflammation causes blood vessels to stiffen.
• Dementia: Inflammation reduces blood and oxygen to the brain.
• ED: Inflammation limits nitric oxide and blood flow.

Each one starts with the same root cause, chronic inflammation and rigid cell membranes (Montorsi et al., 2003; Pacinella et al., 2022).

How to Reduce Inflammation and Improve Cell Health

1. Start by Testing: Know Your Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio

Your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio indicates the level of inflammation occurring within your cells. Ideally, this ratio should be 3:1 or lower. Most adults in North America are closer to a 20:1 ratio, which keeps inflammation high.

A simple BalanceTest (a dried-blood-spot test) measures 11 fatty acids, including omega-6, omega-3, and arachidonic acid (AA). This test helps you see your ratio, omega-3 index, and cell health. Retest every four months to track improvement.

2. Cut Back on the “Terrible 10” Oils

The primary source of omega-6 fats is linoleic acid (LA), which is found in most seed and vegetable oils. Too much LA drives inflammation, damages cells, and makes membranes stiff.

Avoid or limit the “Terrible 10” oils, which are highest in LA:

3. Choose the “Better 4” Oils Instead

Switch to these healthy oils that are low in linoleic acid and help your cells stay flexible:

Replacing bad oils with these improves cell fluidity, reduces inflammation, and supports the flow of nitric oxide.

4. Add Omega-3s or BalanceOil+

To restore balance, increase your omega-3 intake, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are found in wild-caught fish, such as salmon, sardines, and anchovies.

Because most people don’t get enough from food, a polyphenol-enhanced omega-3 supplement like BalanceOil+ can help.

BalanceOil+ combines omega-3s with polyphenols from unripe olives. These protect the oils from oxidation and help them absorb better into your cells. Benefits include:

✅ Softer, more flexible cell membranes
✅ Lower inflammation
✅ Better nitric oxide and hormone function
✅ Measurable progress with each BalanceTest

Many people who take BalanceOil+ daily see their omega-6 to omega-3 ratio drop from 20:1 to near 3:1 in just a few months.

5. Support Your Body Every Day

• • Exercise regularly to increase nitric oxide.
  • Eat polyphenol-rich foods, such as olives, berries, and dark chocolate.
  • Get 7-8 hours of sleep to lower stress and inflammation.
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol to protect blood vessels.

The Final Takeaway

Erectile dysfunction isn’t about age; it’s about inflammation and cell health. The same hidden inflammation that causes high blood pressure, dry eye, and memory loss also affects blood flow and nitric oxide production.

By testing your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, eliminating the “Terrible 10,” using the “Better 4” oils, supplementing with BalanceOil+, and retesting every few months, you can reduce inflammation, enhance circulation, and rebuild healthy cells.

When your cell membranes become flexible again, nitric oxide flows freely, hormones balance naturally, and your body performs the way it was meant to.

ED isn’t a life sentence; it’s a signal to take back control of your health.

Lastly, please contact the person who shared this article, email me at robert@dietfreelife.com, or schedule a free consultation to learn how to test your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio and reduce inflammation. And I can provide you with a customized nutrition plan.

References

1. 1. Burnett, A. L. (2006). The role of nitric oxide in erectile dysfunction: Implications for medical therapy. Nature Reviews Urology, 3(10), 546–552. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro0571
   2. Calder, P. C. (2015). Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Effects, mechanisms and clinical relevance. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 1851(4), 469–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2014.08.010
   3. Maggio, M., Lauretani, F., Ceda, G. P., Bandinelli, S., Basaria, S., Paolisso, G., … & Ferrucci, L. (2006). Relationship between low testosterone and frailty in older men: The InCHIANTI Study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(2), 430–436. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1326
   4. Montorsi, F., Briganti, A., Salonia, A., Rigatti, P., & Margonato, A. (2003). Erectile dysfunction as a symptom of cardiovascular disease. European Heart Journal, 24(2), 1023–1031. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-668X(03)00170-9
   5. Ochoa, J. J., Quiles, J. L., Huertas, J. R., Mataix, J., & Mataix, F. J. (2014). Oxidative stress in male infertility and the role of antioxidants: Clinical implications. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 28(1), 114–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.08.005
   6. Pacinella, G., et al. (2022). Endothelial Dysfunction and Chronic Inflammation: A Unifying Mechanism. Biomedicines, 10(12), 3193. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123193
   7. Simopoulos, A. P. (2002). The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 56(8), 365–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0753-3322(02)00253-6
   8. Stillwell, W., & Wassall, S. R. (2003). Docosahexaenoic acid: Membrane properties of a unique fatty acid. Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 126(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-3084(03)00101-4

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Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, clinical nutritionist, Omega Balancing Coach™, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, and Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health. He also serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association and the Health and Product Advisory Board for Zinzino, Inc.

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