Can micronutrient supplementation prevent erectile dysfunction? A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background: Although previous studies have reported associations between various vitamins, trace elements, and erectile dysfunction (ED), it remains unclear whether deficiencies in these micronutrients are associated with ED risk or whether their use as dietary supplements can prevent ED. This study aims to investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between ED and the use of various micronutrients supplements, including vitamins and trace elements. Methods: This study employed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) framework. Exposure and outcome data were derived from genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets. The MR analysis incorporated inverse variance weighted (IVW) regression as the primary method, supplemented by the weighted median method and MR-Egger regression, to evaluate causal relationships between ED and vitamin and mineral supplements use. Results: Among various micronutrients analyzed, the supplementation of glucosamine chondroitin (p = 0.030, odds ratio (OR) = 1.168, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.015–1.344), chromium (p = 0.005, OR = 1.041, 95% CI = 1.012–1.070) and selenium (p < 0.001, OR = 1.084, 95% CI = 1.033–1.137) was associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. However, no vitamins or trace elements were found to protect against ED. Conclusions: Vitamins and trace elements demonstrated no protective effect against erectile dysfunction (ED). Conversely, dietary supplementation with glucosamine, chondroitin, chromium, and selenium was associated with an increased risk of ED. These findings provide new suggestions for future prevention and treatment intervention of ED.

Micronutrients; Erectile dysfunction; Mendelian randomization analysis; Genome-wide association study

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