Researchers have discovered that the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil helps to improve insulin sensitivity and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. Sildenafil is sold under the brand names Vìagra and Revatìo. Apart from its use for erectile dysfunction, sildenafil is also given to patients with pulmonary hypertension. This is a type of high blood pressure that occurs between the heart and lungs. Sildenafil increases blood flow to the lungs and reduces the workload of the heart. The drug is far more commonly used for erectile dysfunction though, where it prevents an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 from working too quickly. This enables increased and sustained blood flow to the penis. Now, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered that sildenafil may help to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in those at high risk. It helps muscles take up glucose from the bloodstream, thereby lowering the blood sugar level. In a recent study, 42 overweight people with pre-diabetes were assigned to receive either sildenafil or a placebo for three months. The results showed that those treated with sildenafil were significantly more sensitive to insulin. The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. These findings are interesting; however it is an expensive and potentially risky way of reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Sildenafil does have side effects; the most common ones are headaches, facial flushing and labored breathing, indigestion and increased risk of hearing loss. If you want to avoid developing type 2 diabetes, it is safer to do it by following a lower carbohydrate eating plan such as in my syndrome X book. Magnesium is wonderful for improving insulin sensitivity and many type 2 diabetes are deficient in this mineral. The positive side effects of magnesium include improved sleep quality and reduced muscle pain. Magnesium even has vasodilation properties, therefore most men find it increases the strength of their erections. Reference