I'm sure you've seen that 'Smiling Bob' enzyte commercial in the last few weeks. The commercial claims Enzyte is the 'original once-daily tablet for natural male enhancement' and can give you the 'strongest, most powerful erections.'

But are its ingredients safe?

Enzyte is said to contain:

1. Tribulus terrestris 2. Niacin 3. Panax ginseng 4. Epimedium 5. Avena sativa 6. Zinc oxide 7. Lepidium meyenii 8. Muira puama 9. Gingko biloba 10. L-arginine 11. Saw palmetto

and other miscelannoues ingredients such as gelatin, cellulose, rice bran, oat fiber, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, dicalcium phosphate, titanium dioxide and propylene glycol.

Enzyte used to contain a popular ingredient called Yohimbe (also known as Yohimbine) until 2004, when the legal status of the ingredient became unclear (especially in Canada) due to its side effects such as anxiety reactions, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and overstimulation. Yohimbine also causes insomnia and sleeplessness.

other than that, let's break down the main ingredients Enzyte contains and their individual side effects:

1. Tribulus terrestris

No significant side effects have been reported with tribulus terrestris. However some users report an upset stomachwhich can be counteracted by eating some food.

2. Niacin

Facial flushing is the most reported side effect. It lasts for about 15 to 30 minutes. People taking 1.5 to 6 g of niacin per day experienced many side effects that include dry skin facial flushing in a chain, skin rashes, indigestion, birth defects and high blood sugar.

Although niacin a
t extremely high doses can have a life threatening effect, the dosage levels in enzyte aren't high enough to cause that.

3. Panax ginseng

One of Panax ginseng's common side effects is the inability to sleep. Other common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, euphoria, headaches, high blood pressure, low blood pressure and nosebleed.

4. Epimedium

High doses of Epimedium can cause overstimulation, Rapid heartbeat, and even heart palpitations.

5. Avena sativa

Avena sativa is just a cool name for oat, so there aren't side effects.

6. Zinc oxide

There are no reported side effects with Zinc oxide.

7. Lepidium meyenii

Lepidium meyenii, also known as maca, is safe for consumption by humans.

8. Muira puama

One of the most common side effects of muira puama is insomnia because of all the alertness it produces.

9. Gingko biloba

Common side effects include stomach pain, headache, and allergic skin reactions. Although rare, several old individuals have reported experiencing seizures. Do not take ginkgo biloba while you are on aspirin or coumadin because this could cause internal bleeding.

10. L-arginine

L-arginine is an important amino acid, and does not cause any side effects.

11. Saw palmetto

Beta-sitosterol is a primary active ingredient of Saw palmetto, and is chemically similar to cholestrol. High levels of sitosterol in blood have been linked to increased chances of heart disease in men who have previously suffered from heart attacks.

I think it's fine to say that Enzyte is safe to take, based on the safety its individual ingredients.

Be sure to look into each ingredient of any herbal supplement before taking it.