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What Is in Enzyte?

Enzyte is a nutritional supplement for men. The manufacturer markets this product as a natural solution for impotence and erection problems. The product has been available in the United States for more than five years. Vianda Brands lists the ingredients in Enzyte on their website. Enzyte contains a proprietary formula of vitamins, minerals and commonly available herbs. The company's TV commercials and Internet ads indicate that this blend of ingredients will help men increase penis size. Vianda Brands also claims that Enzyte's ingredients help men to achieve erections more quickly and to sustain them longer.

  1. Vitamins and Minerals

    • The Enzyte information label lists three common minerals as primary ingredients. Per dose in order of concentration, they are 30 mg of niacin, 30 mg of zinc oxide and 4 mg of copper oxide. The serving sizes exceed the recommended daily values of each of these minerals, according to federal guidelines for an adult. Vianda Brands notes that no daily values for niacin have been established, although it rates the dose at 150%. The amounts of zinc and copper are 200 percent of the recommended daily values.

    Herbs

    • Some of the herbs listed on the Enzyte label have enjoyed a long reputation as sexual stimulants or aphrodisiacs. The information label does not disclose the amount or proportion of these ingredients in the formula. According to an article in USA Today, the Enzyte ingredients that are associated with sexual enhancement in folklore or traditional medicine include Korean red ginseng, tribulus terrestris, gingko biloba, maca root, muira pauma, epimedium (horny goat weed) and avena sativa.

    Amino Acids and Oil Extracts

    • L-Arginine and Octacosonal are also listed as Enzyte ingredients. WebMD reports that L-Arginine has been shown in scientific studies to increase blood flow by opening blood vessels. Octacosonal is an extract of wheat germ oil. Investigators have shown that it increases stamina and improves the body's utilization of oxygen.

    Saw Palmetto

    • Traditional and alternative medicine practitioners use this herb to improve prostate health. Pressure from an enlarged prostate can make erections difficult to maintain. There is little scientific evidence to support any claims related to any other benefits to be achieved by consuming saw palmetto.

    Enzyte Ingredient Claims

    • The other ingredients listed on the Enzyte information label are primarily those used for packaging such as gelatin, dyes and preservatives. Although the Enzyte website has testimonials from anonymous consumers, there is little hard scientific evidence to support any claims that the manufacturer has made. Some consumers have filed complaints against the manufacturer with the Better Business Bureau. In 2006, the Federal Trade Commission won a lawsuit that charged the manufacturer with deceptive advertising and various criminal activities.

    A Negative View

    • One 2004 WebMD article was particularly critical: http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20040923/better-sex-supplements-slammed

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