Virility Plus 2000:  Nature’s Vitality Enhancer

Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D.

Good health and great sex go hand in hand at any age, according to Earl Mendell, Ph.D., author of Earl Mendell's Anti-Aging Bible.  But, it is particularly true for men once they reach middle age.  As men approach the second half of life, hormonal shifts, and other changes, can alter sexual response. Hormone levels that control sexual arousal may dip. For example, many men show a marked drop in testosterone production beginning in their late forties.  In Europe, this period is called viropause, and there are some similarities to the female menopause.  Similar to female menopause, some men may experience minor symptoms resulting from hormonal fluctuations. Although men remain fertile, they may find that it takes longer to get an erection, and they may have difficulty maintaining one at times. However, none of these factors should significantly impair a man's ability to enjoy sex.  T2000 Gold’s Virility Plus 2000 herbal formula offers men of all ages a sophisticated blend of ingredients known to help enhance virility, vitality and performance.  And, unlike some single-ingredient men's formulas, Virility Plus 2000 contains special energizing herbs to help promote stamina, endurance and men's health.  Here is a review of the key ingredients of this proprietary blend of vitamins and herbs: 

Yohimbe 

This herb is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved aphrodisiac on the market for men. The drug yohimbine is available by prescription only, and has been shown to restore sexual potency in some men. The herb yohimbe, a much weaker version of the drug, is available in supplements and is included in Virility Plus 2000.
Yohimbine works by temporarily, and selectively, blocking the sympathetic nervous system. The result is an ability to stave off the male ejaculation, subsequently increasing the duration of intercourse.  A male, suffering premature ejaculation, as a manifestation of sexual dysfunction, can hugely benefit from such a natural substance. It differs from substances like Viagra, and thus may have a decided advantage for some individuals in terms of effectiveness.  The parasympathic system controls arousal, initial erection and the maintenance of erection.  This system controls sexual function throughout the act until the point of ejaculation, at which time the sympathetic system takes over to achieve orgasm.

Epimedium

Epimedium comes to us from China where the literal translation of the Chinese characters for herba epimedii (Yin Yang Huo) is “horney goat weed”.  It is used in Chinese medicine to enhance male sexual function and performance, as well as to correct reproductive disorders.  It is being prescribed for impotence, infertility, premature ejaculation, low sperm count and reduced sex drive, and is used to nourish, or tonify, the male sexual area (called kidney Yang Qi).  Epimedium has been studied extensively and has demonstrated effects to increase the levels of cortisol and teststerone.  These studies have concluded that its androgen-like effects stimulate sexual activity, increase sperm production and heighten sexual desire.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a root commonly used in China, Korea and India in raw form, and as tea.  As a food, spice, condiment and cure-all, it has been considered by these cultures, over thousands of years, to have powerful medicinal qualities. Among the wide range of traditional uses, the most common benefit attributed to this root is the enhancement of sexual function, particularly in men.  One proposed theory about the mechanism of action of ginseng is based in its active compound ginsenoside.  Researchers believe ginseng improves sexual function by increasing hormone levels. Supposedly, this is accomplished by stimulating the body to produce more testosterone. Supporting this notion, ginseng has been loosely shown to increase sperm production.

Ginkgo Biloba

The leaves of these ancient ginkgo trees have been used in Chinese herbal medicine for more than 5,000 years. The question, really then, becomes one of examining its efficacy as a sexual aide. In keeping with the effect of ginkgo on the cognitively impaired, and the supporting anecdotal claims that ginkgo is a sexual enhancer, the explanation may have as much, or more, to do with its ability to sharpen the senses than with improving blood flow.  Perception and sensation are essential in all stages of sex, whether general interest/libido, arousal/excitation or performance.  When perceptions are dulled, interest in sex naturally wanes.  The most common reason in our society today is fatigue. Plain and simple, people today are overworked and stressed. They return home exhausted, and out of energy.  It can be difficult to realistically expect a spouse to be interested in sex after a stressful day, when he, or she, simply wants to eat, watch television and fall asleep.  In practical and theoretical terms, because it heightens one's senses, it is easy to see why so many seem to respond favorably to the use of ginkgo.

Tribulus

Tribulus is a remarkable plant, which grows in some moderate climates, and many tropical areas of the world.  In India, Tribulus is noted for its diuretic and aphrodisiac properties and is widely recommended in Ayurvedic rejuvenative formulations, particularly in the treatment of sexual deficiencies.  For all of its therapeutic effects, the most common cross-cultural use of the herb has, nevertheless, been in the treatment of infertility in women, impotence in men and increasing the libido of both sexes. It was the search for safe, non-hormonal treatments for infertility and other reproductive disorders that inspired scientists at the Chemical Pharmaceutical Research Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria to investigate Tribulus, based on its widespread and seemingly successful use in such applications.  Researchers found Tribulus may have the ability to increase natural testosterone production by boosting blood levels of something called the luteinizing hormone, a pituitary hormone responsible for regulating testosterone levels. Luteinizing hormone actually "turns on" natural testosterone production.

Guarana

The indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest used crushed guarana seed as a beverage, and a medicine. Guarana was said to decrease fatigue, reduce hunger, and increase arousal.  Guarana (which is nearly identical to caffeine), and the closely related alkaloids theobromine and theophylline, make up the primary active agents in guarana. Caffeine's effects (and hence those of guarana) are well known and include stimulating the central nervous system, increasing metabolic rate, and having a mild diuretic effect. 

Niacin

Niacin is well know-known for increasing circulation, evidenced by the tingling feeling one gets on the skin after taking it.  By increasing blood circulation, we can help deliver the nutrients needed in the sexual areas to perform better.  Several studies have shown that niacin can help in the sexual function for both males and females.  This makes sense as the flush associated with niacin is rather similar to the reaction we experience when the chemistry is optimized with a sexual partner.

Prostate Problems

The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis, above the rectum. The prostate gland produces semen, the fluid that carries sperm. During childhood, the prostate is tiny; however, once puberty kicks in and testosterone levels rise, the prostate gland grows to adult size. The prostate gland remains stable until around age forty-five, at which time it often experiences a second growth spurt. By age sixty, most men have an enlarged prostate gland, a condition that is called benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH).  As its name implies, in most cases, BPH is harmless, although it can be quite annoying.  If the prostate gland becomes very swollen, it can push against the urethra and interfere with urination.  In fact, in about 10 percent of all men, the first sign of BPH is urinary retention. Other symptoms include difficulty or straining during urination and frequent urination, especially at night.  In severe cases, urine can gather in the bladder until it eventually backs up into the kidneys, causing kidney damage.  About 10 percent of men with BPH will require corrective surgery; in fact, prostate surgery is the most common surgery performed on men over sixty-four.

Saw Palmetto

Virility Plus 2000 contains an extract from the berries of the saw palmetto tree to help maintain prostate health. Native Americans ate saw palmetto berries as part of their diet. Natural healers have long prescribed these berries for urinary problems.
Several studies have shown that saw palmetto can increase the flow of urine and reduce nighttime urination in men with BPH.  In Europe, where most of the research on saw palmetto was conducted, this herb is an accepted treatment for BPH.  Some studies show that saw palmetto berry extract may work by preventing the conversion of testosterone to its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone.  Compounds in the saw palmetto berry may block dihydrotestosterone's ability to bind to receptor sites on prostate cells, thus preventing the cells from growing.

Nettles 

This herb is a diuretic and anti-inflammatory. It is often used in conjunction with the herbs discussed above to treat prostate problems

Comprehensive Formula

The sophisticated Virility Plus 2000 formula offers men of all ages a comprehensive blend of ingredients known to enhance performance and virility.  And unlike those single-ingredient men's formulas, Virility Plus 2000 contains special energizing herbs known to lift performance, promote virility and increase vitality.  Also the advanced Virility Plus 2000 blend includes natural ingredients such as Saw Palmetto, long held to maintain prostate health.  One formula with so many benefits.

Suggested use:  Take two capsules, once or twice daily.
 

Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D.