Okay, so about eight months ago I was diagnosed with diabetes. Oh well, no more eating whole bakeries in a single sitting (totally worth it, though). I discovered pretty much immediately that the standard treatment for diabetes of Metformin did not exactly work well with my system. I'm sure anyone who's on Metformin will understand. My Dr couldn't understand why I wanted to actually feel better AND have a life so she tried me on Repaglinide. Even worse.

So because I like myself and would like to have some semblance of a quality of life, I started looking for replacements in the herbal arena. After much consulting with Dr Google and looking at dozens of different studies, I decided to try a daily combination of-

3,000 mg L-Arginine
300 mg pycnogenol (pine bark extract)
1,830 mg fenugreek

I split the doses to 3 times daily to equal the above amounts. I may try going higher with all of it but right now I see no reason to. The fenugreek amount I take is actually a lower amount than I've seen studied. Some studies were experimenting with as much as 10 grams daily.

It has absolutely done wonders (along with major dietary changes and exercise) for my a1c as well as my daily sugar. Not only have I dropped 60#'s in 8 months but I do feel better (didn't think I felt badly before but I just feel much 'lighter'). Also, as an odd but fun side effect, when I sweat I smell vaguely of maple syrup now. Apparently, taking fenugreek can do that. Also, my bride says that I 'taste' better so she's more willing to take one for the team, so to speak.

Okay, now the reason I bring up all that background is because I noticed a side effect that I hadn't really paid attention to in my research. I have noticed that after about 2 months of taking this combination of supplements that I started waking up with a rock solid erection. Stronger than I had when I was 18 (mid 40's now) and that even though I never had an issue before I would recreationally use the fun Chinese sex pills to keep things going a bit longer. Even with diabetes I never had any ED problems. Having said that, I am finding that now, all I need to do is have a beautiful woman walk by and I'm trying to salute her. A stiff breeze is enough to pull the turtle from his shell, it's crazy.

My bride has also commented on how I'm even larger than before (yes, not bragging just a statement of fact from every woman I've been with.) It's not as fun as you think when a woman isn't sure she wants to risk getting hurt for some fun. My advice, learn early on to stash tiny tubes of lube in your pocket or in your nightstand to ease their concern. Bonus, make it edible.

I wish I'd known about herbal medicines when I was 18 and single. I'd have had some even more insane times than I have had already. I'm throwing this out there for any guys who may have diabetes and are interested in trying it for lowering their blood sugar or for any guys who just want to see if they get an extra boost for their love lives. Of course, I'm not a Dr so research this for yourself and see how it might work for you.

I'm not interested in a discussion about how this might 'damage' me in some way because I am under a Dr's supervision and she's just as intrigued by how well it is lowering my sugar as I am. Side effect free.

Almost.

Excellent post. I've been dealing with fatty liver and abdominal obesity which happens to be related to diabetes since these conditions are all under the umbrella of metabolic syndrome which has the root cause of insulin resistance of the liver and possibly insulin resistance of the muscles.

I purchased fenugreek last year from bulk supplements but I didn't take it because I saw some articles warning that it can be estrogenic. But after reading this post, I'm revisiting fenugreek especially because of the possibility that it can be great for metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. The possibility that it can improve testosterone and libido makes it even more compelling to revisit.

I found this youtube video. Don't know how good this guy is but there are some things worth further study in this video.

• 0:59 - At a lower dose, can act as a phytoestrogen (what scared me away in the first place)
• 1:05 - Taking 2.5 grams - 5 grams, it acts as an Aromatase Inhibitor (Triggers LH)
• 2:27 - this guy had more energy in the gym
• 2:43 - this guy felt no increase in libido but he already has a high libido
  

This article claims fenugreek is an Aromatase Inhibitor but I have not found real studies yet but maybe it is.
https://www.myokem.com/blog/7-natural-su...ld-muscle/

I'll give it a try. I'm going to throw away the powder I bought last year because fenugreek seed is a seed after all so the natural fats might go rancid over time. I'm guessing its better to use a fresh batch.

Very interesting. I found this article about the combo of L-arginine and pycnogenol:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12851125/

Basically, in a study of 40 men with unconfirmed organic ED, 92.5% of them were able to have normal erections after 3 months of taking the supplements.

I may have to do some experimenting.

Yep...its the L-Arginine, and the fenugreek helps as well.

L-Arginine and L-citrulline help your blood deliver nitrogen to your body. this increases blood flow and tunes up the engines south of the border.

If you check the ingredients; L-arginine, L-citrulline, and fenugreek are all ingredients in the Penis enlargement and performance pills. Add in some Tribulus Terrestis, Maca, and about 100mg of DHEA and you'll have covered the main herbals in just about any 'turn your worm into a python' pill.

Plus the diet and exercise changes help quite a bit.

Consider it a bonus effect.

L-Arginine is probably raising Nitric Oxide, hence the high-noon effect. Viagra increases NO as well.

More info: arginine lowers cholesterol via raising NO: https://circ.ahajournals.org/content/96/4/1282.long

Basically, using a powerful stress to resolve the symptoms of a lesser-stress. This is most of mainstream medicine in a nutshell.

Arginine , as stated, raises nitric oxide levels, which increases boner strength and libido. It also delays ejaculation, so if you take 3 or 4g an hour before doing the deed, you should last 3 times as long as normal. Fenugreek is reputed to increase testosterone, and definitely reduces estrogen. Arginine is also a great pre-workout. Your muscle pump will be way better than without.

One problem with Arginine is if you have herpes. Since herpes virus feeds on Arginine, you will risk increased breakouts. I notice it with cold sores. But a couple of days of Abreva and L-Lysine clears it right up.