Another amazing use of nitric oxide (NO). A recent study found that injecting tiny beads filled with NO into the blood vessels of the penis in diabetic animals with induced Type 2 diabetes resulted in expanding the blood vessels in that organ. The expansion allowed for a dramatic improvement in sexual functioning. The researchers saw a greater improvement using the NO-filled beads to treat impotence than with Viagra, and the effect lasted for about three weeks.

This study offers much hope to the one-third of men who suffer from impotence but don’t respond to currently available drugs. Scientists are planning clinical trials to see if this technique works effectively in human beings.