ArginMax in the News...



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April 2009 - "Revive your sex life with a mix of botanicals, vitamins, and minerals"
Dr. Jennifer Gunter, a nationally and internally renowned obstetrician/gynecologist, examines how ArginMax works and its clinical studies. To read the article, click here .

Natural Products MarketplaceSeptember 2008 - "Beating the Bedroom Blues"
Reporter Heather Granato reviews ArginMax's clinical study and interviews Daily Wellness' general manager on ArginMax and its benefits. To read the article,
click here.
 

Nutraceuticals WorldMay 2008 - "The Life Lines of Women"
Reporter Amanda Baltazar discusses how ArginMax can help women boost their sexual desire. To read the article, click here.


PR Newswire April 22, 2008 - "ArginMax for Women Press Release"
Clinical Study on ArginMax Published in Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy Showing Libido Enhancement in Menopausal Women Accepted for Presentation at AASECT 40th Annual Conference. To read the press release, click here.


February 11, 2008 - "ArginMax says its studies support its effect on libido"
Unlike ads that boast sexual desire through attractive models, LA Times reporter Chris Woolston states that ArginMax takes a differernt approach in marketing to its consumers by providing "actual scientific studies published in real medical journals, a rarity in the world of libido remedies." To read the article,
click here.


January 15, 2008 - Rachel Ray Show "Human Lab: Sex Drive"
The Rachael Ray Show featured a segment called the Human Lab: Sex Drive. In this segment, three women experimented with products that claim to boost libido. ArginMax was mentioned as a libido booster with clinical studies. To see the human lab experiment,
click here.


October 2007 - "Can An Amino Acid Boost My Libido?"
Dr. Elizabeth Gunther Stewart states that L-Arginine could boost a woman's libido. To read the article,
click here.





September 2007 - "The New Science of Sensational Sex"
Prevention reporter Nancy Kalish spoke with certified sex researcher Beverly Whipple PhD. who recommends ArginMax to boost libido in Women. To read the article,
click here.


December 2006 - "5 Facts About Orgasms" Oprah magazine reports that ArginMax has shown to improve sexual satisfaction. To read the article, click here.

 

 

"Recharge Your Libido with L-Arginine"
Bill Gottlieb, author of Bottom Line's Breakthroughs in Drug-Free Healing, states that fourty-three percent of American women report some type of sexual problem. To read the article, click here.

 


ArginMax Press Releases
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Prevention Magazine Self Magazine
US  News and World Report
Shape

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Heart & Soul
First For Women Health
Los Angeles Magazine

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Stuff
Stanford Medicine Men's Fitness First For Women

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Drug Topics
Nutraceuticals World
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More in the News...

On TV
ArginMax has been getting great media attention all across the country. Check out some of the dozens of local stations that have featured ArginMax in the news.

In the Press
Virility/Femininity Quest -- Energy Times
Ginkgo, Head to Toe -- Health
Recipe for Romance -- Let's Live
Sex Drugs For Women? -- Harper's Bazaar
Natural Viagra? A new supplement claims it'll spice up your sex life -- Self
New Erections, Improved Erections -- Sex Over Forty
Nutritional Supplement Aims to Boost Sex -- Reuters International NewsWire
New Natural Viagra: Safe and side-effect free! -- Woman's World
Natural Impotence Pill Sought  -- San Mateo County Times
ArginMax for Male Sexual Fitness Launches New Formulation -- Urologynet.org
Sexual Performance Supplement Completes Placebo-Controlled Study; Presentation set at World Congress -- Urologynet.org
Sexual Performance Supplement Completes Placebo-Controlled Study; Presentation set at World Congress -- NewsPage.com
Supplement Boost to Sex -- ThirdAge.com
Doctors Seek More Research on Erection Supplement -- Intelihealth.com

Energy TimesTo Top of Page
Virility/Femininity Quest
February 2000

By Cal Orey

 Alice Brown, a 44-year-old woman, recalls when she lost her sex drive. She suffered the ill effects of not wanting to make love anymore. "After the birth of my second child, my libido seemed to have totally disappeared," she says. "This went on for nearly nine years and was very difficult on my marriage."  On a quest to remedy her sex problem, Alice sought professional help. Her internist and gynecologist didn't have the solution to make her feel sexy again. She sought counseling and hormone replacements. But those brought meager results.
   Plenty of people, like Alice, find emotional and physical events often take a toll on their sex drives.
   According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (3/99) 33% of adult men and 42% of women suffer sexual dysfunction.

Lackluster Libido
 
A lackluster libido in impotent men (erectile dysfunction) may originate in diabetes and heart disease, which can block blood flow to the penis, drop levels of male sex hormones and enlarge the prostate.
  Women may lack desire due to shifting hormones, drug side effects, too much alcohol, a high-fat diet and no exercise.

Love with the Proper Nutrition
  A clinical study of men suffering mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) found their sexual performance improved after taking ginkgo biloba, American and Korean ginseng, the amino acid L-Arginine and vitamins A, C, E, B-complex, selenium and zinc.
  The study (Hawaii Medical Journal 12/98, Vol 57:12) showed that a month of supplements improved the ability to maintain an erection in nine of 10 men. Three of four were more satisfied with their sex life.
   Thomas Ito, MD, associate professor at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine says, "This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for both men and women." This supplementation helps the body convert the amino acid L-arginine into nitric oxide, a molecule that boosts circulation into the genitals.
   Whole grains and fruits and vegetables plus multi-vitamins and minerals "boost good health, which helps provide better sexual energy, says Cynthia Watson, MD, author of Love Potions (Putnam). "The sex drive requires a balance between the endocrine and neurologic systems, and the foods that are the most sexually stimulating contain nutrients that support these systems. Nutrient deficiencies, in fact, may be partly to blame for many people's decreased sex drive, adds Elson Haas, MD, author of Staying Healthy with Nutrition (Celestial Arts):

  • Vitamin A: antioxidant, contains precursor to testosterone.
  • Vitamin E: "It's been thought of as a fertility vitamin because research has shown that when animals and rats weren't fed vitamin E they lost their vitality," says Dr. Haas.
  • Vitamin C: antioxidant, may boost circulation to genital area.
  • Vitamin B complex: may calm nerves. "The nervous system is stimulated when you're sexually aroused…you need well-functioning (nerves)," says Dr. Watson.
  • Zinc: "...may help prevent damage to the body system that produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being and alertness and widely equated with libido," says Lynn Fischer, author of The Better Sex Diet (Living Planet)..To Top of Page

Defang Depression
  Scientists have found that erectile dysfunction is almost twice as likely in men suffering depression.
  "It has always been assumed that affective states such as depression play a role in sexual function," says Andre Araujo, whose study in Psychosomatic Medicine (July-August, 1998) looked at 1,265 men aged 40-70 with ED and depressive problems. It found that men suffering depression ran double the risk of having trouble with erections. To alleviate this problem, St. John's wort, effective for mild depression, may help improve sexual energy.

Working Out for Vitality
  Cardiovascular exercises like jogging, skating, dancing, bicycling, race-walking and swimming may expand sexual vitality in significant ways. "It improves circulation, and increases blood flow to all the organs in the body—including sexual organs," says Aileen Trant, PhD, a doctor who specializes in giving nutrition advice in Mountain View, California.
  Losing weight and toning muscles improves your sexual possibilities: A study in the spring 1997 Journal of Sex ~ Marital Therapy found that the majority of 32 women, who were an average age of 47, reported improved sex after they lost an average of about 57 pounds.
  Antioxidants may also improve your sex life when taken in conjunction with exercise since they help prevent damage to cells.
  "When you exercise you're increasing the wear and tear on your body. You need to take more antioxidants," points out Dr. Trant, "to help repair any damage."

Go Ask Alice
Meanwhile, on the home front, taking supplements, exercising and meditating to control stress seems to be making a world of difference for Alice and her mate. Alice has lost weight and believes her health and self-image have benefited enough to improve her love life. As Alice succinctly puts it, "My libido's back and I feel like life is much more rewarding. Both my husband and I are overjoyed."

Health
Ginkgo, Head to Toe
May 2000

By Catherine Dold

Two other studies tested a compound called ArginMax, which contains ginkgo, L-arginine (an amino acid), ginseng, and vitamins. Nearly 85 percent of the male subjects said the pill improved their ability to maintain erections, and 80 percent claimed greater satisfaction with their sex lives. Of the women, 71 percent grew more interested in sex, 53 percent felt increased sensitivity to stimulation, and 65 percent achieved orgasm more frequently. The ginkgo in the compound is believed to help increase blood flow to the genitals, says Mary Lake Polan, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University Medical Center and a consultant to the pill's manufacturer.To Top of Page

Let's Live
Recipe for Romance
February 2000

By Suzanne Mathis

Arginine is the amino acid responsible for producing nitric oxide, which is the key regulatory molecule for arousal, blood surge and erection. Last year, a double-blind, open-label, pilot study showed that a supplement containing arginine, along with standardized extracts of ginkgo, Korean and American ginseng and vitamins and minerals (ArginMax) had benefits for men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. Of the 21 subjects, 88.9% reported improvement in their ability to maintain an erection during intercourse, and 75% reported improvement in their satisfaction with their overall sex lives. The researchers used the same evaluation system as the one used for Viagra in clinical trials.

Harper's Bazaar
Sex Drugs For Women?
March 2000

By Steve Fishman

Another promising agent is the amino acid L-arginine—a nutrient, not a medicine (and therefore not FDA regulated)—which dilates blood vessels. When ArginMax, a supplement containing L-arginine, was given to a small group of women, two thirds reported increased clitoral sensitivity.

Self
Natural Viagra? A new supplement claims it'll spice up your sex life
February 2000

By Mary Rose Almasi

A female Viagra is still years away, but if your sex life needs help now, you may be in luck: A new supplement called ArginMax was recently tested by its manufacturer with promising results. After taking it six times a day for four weeks, 37 out of 49 sexually dysfunctional women reported an increase in sexual satisfaction— from improved clitoral sensation to more frequent orgasms. ArginMax is made of ginkgo biloba, ginseng and L-arginine, an amino acid that enhances blood flow (essential for sexual functions). Further testing is now underway, and until we know more, it's wise to check with your doctor before trying ArginMax. For information, log on to www.arginmax.com or call 800-STAMINA. —Mary Rose Almasi

Sex Over Forty
[A practical, authoritative newsletter directed to the sexual concerns of the mature adult --
Vol. XVIII, No. 4]
New Erections, Improved Erections
September, 1999

ArginMax, a natural daily nutritional supplement, was found in a study to improve the ability of 89 percent of men tested to maintain an erection during intercourse. The results were reported at the fifth Internet World Congress of Biomedical Science and in the Hawaii Medical Journal by physicians from the University of Hawaii and Albany Medical College.

Researchers said ArginMax works by enhancing the production of nitric oxide, the key signaling molecule for male erection. The product is available over the counter at about 3,000 stores, primarily on the West Coast at this time. Those interested may order it by calling 1-800-STAMINA or at http://www.sexualfitness.com on the Internet.

To Top of PageReuters International NewsWire
Nutritional Supplement Aims to Boost Sex
August 20, 1999

HONG KONG, (REUTERS)  A nutritional supplement intended to boost sex is being introduced in Asia this year, and this one is for women as well.ArginMax claims to be the only nutritional supplement for sexual health that has been confirmed by a major clinical study with rigorous control and evaluation techniques.A study published this year by the Journal of the American Medical Association showed 33 percent of men and 42 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 59 had sexual dysfunction. ArginMax has botanical extracts that have been found to facilitate the conversion of amino acids into nitric oxide, which stimulates circulation, erection and arousal, he said. The product, in liquid, powder or capsule form, is sold in the United States, Indonesia, Singapore, and on the Internet (www.arginmax.com), which offers mail delivery worldwide. The company expects to launch the product in Asia this year, and then Europe.

To Top of PageWoman's World
New Natural Viagra: Safe and side-effect free!
June 29, 1999

By Barbara Tiberi

Viagra has been hailed as a safe, effective medication that reverses impotence and restores sexual function to as many as 80% of men. "But men on heart medications can't take Viagra because of dangerous interactions," says urologist Thomas Ito, M.D., of University of Hawaii, "and millions of others can't because it doesn't work for them or causes side effects." Now there's a breakthrough for these men too. Doctors announced recently that a natural supplement, ArginMax, reversed impotence for three out of four men. "That's almost as good as Viagra," says Dr. Ito, "and ArginMax has no significant side effects." A blend of vitamins, herbs and the amino acid L-arginine, ArginMax works by dilating blood vessels that nourish the penis, making it easier to achieve an erection. "It works on the same principle as Viagra, but instead of having to remember to take it one hour before sex, men take it twice a day," says Dr. Ito.To Top of Page

San Mateo County Times
Natural Impotence Pill Sought
May 26, 1999

By Tim Simmers

It's not going to replace Viagra, but the Daily Wellness Co. here is touting its new dietary supplement as a natural way for men to overcome sexual dysfunction.

The company has completed two clinical studies -- the first on a dietary supplement to improve male sexual performance -- on its product ArginMax, and the studies show the supplement helped 89 percent of men tested improve their erections by increasing blood lfow and circulation.

The supplement, available without a prescription, does not work like Viagra, which in some men induces an erection within an hour that lasts about two hours.

ArginMax takes up to three or four weeks to reach its optimal benefit. At that point, the studies show, it enhances sex drive and improves sexual performance.

The dietary supplement works by helping prevent the breakdown of nitric oxide, a molecule that improves circulation and erection.

Breaking down nitric oxide is also a key element of Viagra, which became a sensation last year for its treatment of male impotence. While the product exhibited success on many males, in some it had unpleasant side effects.

ArginMax requires taking three pills, two times a day and costs about $40 a month ($25 if taken over long periods). There also are liquid and powder forms available, but 90 percent of people take the pills. It is available at Longs Drugs, Save-On and Albertsons as well as online at www.sexualfitness.com.

The supplement is made of extracts from botanicals such as ginkgo biloba, American and Korean ginseng, minerals including L-Arginine (also a key ingredient in Viagra), zinc, selenium and vitamins A, C, E and B-complex.

Eric Cotton, a lead singer and dancer in a local band called the Cheeseballs, said he started taking ArginMax because it had most of the vitamins and ginseng he was using for his health and energy. "It's improved my sex drive and given me more energy," Cotton said.

In the ArginMax clinical study conducted by physicians for the University of Hawaii and Albany Medical College earlier this year, men diagnosed with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction took the supplement for four weeks.

Some 89 percent improved their ability to maintain an erection during intercourse, while 75 percent improved in satisfaction of their overall sex life.

Women may take the supplement, but there is no research showing that it works. The company is designing a product specifically for women, expected to be available later this year.

The clinical studies revealed that ArginMax does not exhibit side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, chest pain, change in blood pressure, change in vision or stomach upset.

Urologists agree that the product needs more clinical testing, but they say it's not harmful and are encouraged by the initial results.

"It's a natural Viagra," said Dr. Thomas Ito, urologist and associate professor of surgery at the University of Hawaii. He noted that the study used the same questionnaire used in Viagra clinical trials to determine improvement.

Dr. Jeffrey Reese, chief of urology at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, said the product needs additional clinical testing of several hundred people rather than the 25- and 50-person tests that have been done.

But Reese added that ArginMax is made of herbs and minerals that have long been known to enhance the ability to have an erection.

One urologist who favored Viagra had a different twist. "I don't know why you'd want to take two pills, two times a day for something you do two times a month," said Dr. James Barada, an Albany urologist and specialist in male sexual dysfunction.

The company is not new to the use of herbs and dietary supplements. Last year it came out with Elix, a line of liquid herbal and vitamins supplements created as a wellness drink to fortify people.

The line includes drinks like Strength (echinacea), Uplift (St. John's wort) and Stress Soother (kava kava).

To Top of Page Urologynet.org
ArginMax for Male Sexual Fitness Launches New Formulation
May 4, 1999

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (BW HealthWire) -- The Daily Wellness Company today announced the launch of a newly developed powder formulation of ArginMax for Male Sexual Fitness (www.arginmax.com) to address the demand of consumers who would like to take ArginMax daily, but who would prefer not to swallow pills. ArginMax is the only non-prescription nutraceutical in the sexual health category that has completed a placebo-controlled clinical study in men with impotence. Pilot clinical studies of ArginMax were previously published in the 5th Internet World Congress for Biomedical Research, and the December issue of the Hawaii Medical Journal. The placebo-controlled study will be presented at the 14th Annual World Congress of Sexology.

The published pilot study was conducted in collaboration with physicians affiliated with the University of Hawaii School of Medicine and Albany Medical College, and was the first report documenting the importance of dietary supplementation for male sexual performance. Following a four-week daily regimen of ArginMax, 89% of the men improved their ability to maintain an erection during sexual intercourse, and 75% improved in their satisfaction with overall sex life.

"Since a lot of people don't like to swallow pills, ArginMax in powder provides an excellent alternative," says Kaye Kawahara, M.D., director of cancer research at Queen's Medical Center in Hawaii. "This will make it easier for people to stay on it for the initial 4 weeks to really start feeling a difference."

"ArginMax powder provides convenience and a great taste," says nutritionist Aileen Trant, Ph.D. of Daily Wellness. "The great taste is really important because it makes the experience of taking ArginMax a real pleasure that people can look forward to every day."

ArginMax is developed and patented by the Daily Wellness Company and is proposed to enhance the Nitric Oxide (N.O.) pathway. N.O. is a key signaling molecule for male erection and female arousal. ArginMax consists of highly standardized extracts of botanicals including ginkgo biloba, American ginseng, Korean ginseng, the amino acid L-Arginine, plus 13 essential vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, C, E, B-complex, Selenium, and Zinc. 

Based in Silicon Valley, The Daily Wellness Company is a leader in the innovation of products designed to revolutionize the way people enhance their health and wellness on a daily basis. ArginMax is distributed in over 3,000 stores in the US, including Longs Drugs, SavOn, Osco, Lucky, Acme, Ralph's, Albertson's, Andronicos, leading health food stores, online at www.sexualfitness.com, or at 1.800.STAMINA (800/782-6462)

To Top of PageUrologynet.org
Sexual Performance Supplement Completes Placebo-Controlled Study; Presentation set at World Congress
April 26, 1999

Mountain View, CA -- The Daily Wellness Company today announced the completion of a ground-breaking, placebo-controlled clinical study on ArginMax for Male Sexual Fitness (www.arginmax.com), a natural non-prescription supplement for the enhancement of sexual performance and circulation. The study has been accepted for presentation at the 14th Annual World Congress of Sexology, which will be held in Hong Kong in August, 1999.

The placebo-controlled study conducted on ArginMax is the first of its kind for a nutritional supplement in the sexual health category, and serves as a follow-up to the recent pilot study published in the 5th Internet World Congress for Biomedical Research, and the December issue of the Hawaii Medical Journal. The results of the placebo controlled-study will be revealed in Hong Kong in August.

The pilot study was the first published clinical study documenting the importance of dietary supplementation for male sexual performance. The clinical evaluation was conducted using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the evaluation system used by Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) to validate the efficacy of Viagra, and was performed in collaboration with physicians affiliated with the University of Hawaii School of Medicine and Albany Medical College. Following a four-week daily regimen of ArginMax, 89% of the men improved their ability to maintain an erection during sexual intercourse, and 75% improved in their satisfaction with overall sex life. As a follow-up to the pilot, a placebo-controlled study was conducted by the medical investigators to measure the effects of placebo, in comparison to ArginMax, in a group of patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. 

"I am very pleased with the completion of the placebo-controlled study on ArginMax," says Thomas Ito, M.D., an urologist and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine. "This is an important step towards defining the scientific role of supplements in sexual performance."

ArginMax is a proprietary dietary supplement developed and patented by the Daily Wellness Company and is proposed to enhance the Nitric Oxide (N.O.) pathway in conjunction with improving microvascular circulation. N.O. is a key signaling molecule for male erection and female arousal. ArginMax consists of highly standardized extracts of botanicals including ginkgo biloba, American ginseng, Korean ginseng, the amino acid L-Arginine, Vitamins A, C, E, B-complex, Selenium, and Zinc.

Based in Silicon Valley, The Daily Wellness Company is a leader in the innovation of products designed to revolutionize the way people enhance their health and wellness on a daily basis.  ArginMax is distributed in over 3,000 stores in the US, including Longs Drugs, SavOn, Osco, Lucky, Acme, Ralph's, Andronicos, leading health food stores, online store at www.sexualfitness.com, or at 1.800.STAMINA (800.782.6462).

To Top of PageNewsPage.com
Sexual Performance Supplement Completes Placebo-Controlled Study; Presentation Set at World Congress
April 27, 1999

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire) via NewsEdge Corporation -- The Daily Wellness Company today announced the completion of a ground-breaking, placebo-controlled clinical study on ArginMax for Male Sexual Fitness, a natural non-prescription supplement for the enhancement of sexual performance and circulation. The study has been accepted for presentation at the 14th Annual World Congress of Sexology, which will be held in Hong Kong in August, 1999.

The placebo-controlled study conducted on ArginMax is the first of its kind for a nutritional supplement in the sexual health category, and serves as a follow-up to the recent pilot study published in the 5th Internet World Congress for Biomedical Research, and the December issue of the Hawaii Medical Journal. The results of the placebo controlled-study will be revealed in Hong Kong in August.

The pilot study was the first published clinical study documenting the importance of dietary supplementation for male sexual performance. The clinical evaluation was conducted using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the evaluation system used by Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) to validate the efficacy of Viagra, and was performed in collaboration with physicians affiliated with the University of Hawaii School of Medicine and Albany Medical College. Following a four-week daily regimen of ArginMax, 89% of the men improved their ability to maintain an erection during sexual intercourse, and 75% improved in their satisfaction with overall sex life. As a follow-up to the pilot, a placebo-controlled study was conducted by the medical investigators to measure the effects of placebo, in comparison to ArginMax, in a group of patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.

"I am very pleased with the completion of the placebo-controlled study on ArginMax," says Thomas Ito, M.D., an urologist and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine. "This is an important step towards defining the scientific role of supplements in sexual performance."

ArginMax is a proprietary dietary supplement developed and patented by the Daily Wellness Company and is proposed to enhance the Nitric Oxide (N.O.) pathway in conjunction with improving microvascular circulation. N.O. is a key signaling molecule for male erection and female arousal. ArginMax consists of highly standardized extracts of botanicals including ginkgo biloba, American ginseng, Korean ginseng, the amino acid L-Arginine, Vitamins A, C, E, B-complex, Selenium, and Zinc.

Based in Silicon Valley, The Daily Wellness Company is a leader in the innovation of products designed to revolutionize the way people enhance their health and wellness on a daily basis. ArginMax is distributed in over 3,000 stores in the US, including Longs Drugs, SavOn, Osco, Lucky, Acme, Ralph's, Andronicos, leading health food stores, online store at www.sexualfitness.com, or at 1-800-782-6462.To Top of Page

ThirdAge.com
Supplement Boost to Sex
February 5, 1999

In the first clinical study of the effect of a dietary supplement on male sexual performance, the Hawaii Medical Journal says ArginMax helped 89 percent of men tested improve their ability to maintain an erection during intercourse.

Dr. Thomas Ito at the University of Hawaii John Burns School of Medicine says three out of four of the men tested reported improvement in their overall sex life.

Arginmax, a non-prescription supplement manufactured by the Daily Wellness Co., created no side effects during the study, Ito says. "This is very different from taking a drug for a disease," he says, but is about optimizing one's sexual fitness and wellness through a natural dietary supplement.

The manufacturer says ArginMax consists of a standardized blend of extracts of natural botanicals, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The company says it is "proposed to up-regulate the Nitric Oxide pathway in conjunction with direct enhancement of microvascular circulation, resulting in improved erections."

To Top of PageIntelihealth.com
Doctors Seek More Research on Erection Supplement
February 15, 1999

ALBANY, N.Y. (NYT Syndicate) -- Viagra, move over. A new dietary supplement called ArginMax is being touted as a way to deliver an erection without Viagra's sometimes unpleasant and potentially fatal side effects.

The supplement costs an estimated $40 to $50 a month to use but isn't yet available in all areas.

Physicians are awaiting more research on this latest herbal remedy before they'll say if ArginMax, available on the Internet and at 3,000 stores predominantly on the West Coast, is practical. The supplement costs an estimated $40 to $50 a month.

ArginMax requires taking six pills a day, divided into two doses. While no prescription is required, you may need stamina to keep up with that daily regimen.

"Why do you want to take pills twice a day for something you might only want to do two times a month?" said Dr. James Barada, an Albany urologist and a specialist in male sexual dysfunction. "The whole food supplement market is making tens of billions of dollars a year with unproven efficacy."

A small, initial research study designed by Dr. Andy Das, an Albany Medical Center urologist, found that 89 percent of men diagnosed with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction improved their ability to have intercourse after taking ArginMax daily for four weeks. Of those men, 75 percent reported improved satisfaction with their overall sex life.

Physicians emphasize the results are still preliminary. The pilot study involved only 25 men at the University of Hawaii Medical College and didn't account for the placebo effect, a phenomenon where the improvement is psychological and unrelated to the medicine.

Albany Medical Center is just one of a handful of sites selected by the Daily Wellness Company of Mountain View, Calif., the manufacturer of ArginMax, to participate in a larger clinical trial, involving at least 150 men with diagnosed erection problems.

Company officials hope that study will help differentiate their product in a largely unregulated market. Dietary supplements do not require approval by the Food and Drug Administration. ArginMax has been available since last March.

The latest trial will include a placebo and will focus on men with erectile problems who have had less than a satisfactory response with Viagra.

ArginMax contains the amino acid L-Arginine, a naturally occurring substance that is believed to aid the body's production of nitric oxide, a substance that allows smooth muscle relaxation in the penis and enables a man to have an erection.

Viagra, manufactured by Pfizer, works by preventing the natural breakdown of nitric oxide, giving a man a better chance of maintaining his erection throughout intercourse.

While applauded by physicians as the first oral treatment for impotence, Viagra has faced its share of problems since it was approved for sale by the FDA last April.

At least 69 deaths have been linked to the drug and Viagra isn't recommended for use in men who are taking nitrates for heart problems. Other side effects include blurred vision, headaches, facial flushing, and indigestion.

"People are very interested in non-drug therapies because of all the scare tactics around Viagra," Barada said.

So for those men who can't or don't want to use Viagra, he said ArginMax "is a reasonable alternative coupled with good health in general."

"Is it going to replace Viagra? Absolutely not," he said. But record sales figures for Viagra show that there is a growing and lucrative market in non-invasive treatments for sexual problems.

Until Viagra, many men with erectile dysfunction were reluctant to seek help because most treatments required them to stick themselves with needles, insert suppositories or use vacuum-style devices.

On the company's Website at www.arginmax.com, officials point out that ArginMax doesn't work for everyone and is not "an aphrodisiac" that will "create uncontrollable sexual desire."

And though women may take ArginMax, there is no research showing that it works. The company is currently designing a product specifically for women, expected to be available for sale later this year.

"If you've taken ArginMax for four to six weeks at the recommended dose and have noticed no effect in either sexual fitness or physical stamina, then it probably doesn't work for you," according to a disclaimer on the Website.

Copyright 1999, The New York Times Syndicate. All rights reserved.To Top of Page

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