If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, or ED, a change in diet may help. Although ED was once attributed mainly to psychological factors, evidence suggests that a link exists between ED and high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The same lifestyle changes -- exercise, weight loss and a healthy diet -- that prevent or improve these conditions may also prevent or improve ED.
A Vascular Disorder
When ED occurs in middle-age men, the cause is usually vascular, according to Dr. Laurence Levine, professor of urology at Rush University Medical Center. The same factors that block arteries and contribute to heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, smoking and inflammation, also damage the blood vessels in the penis, leading to ED. Difficulty with erections is often the first sign of heart disease.
Avoid Fatty Meats and Refined Carbohydrates
Men who eat a diet high in red meat, processed meats and refined carbohydrates have a higher incidence of ED than those who eat a Mediterranean-style diet high in nuts, whole grains, fish, fruits and vegetables, according to a analysis of studies published online on May 4, 2010 in the "Journal of Sexual Medicine."
Adopt a Mediterranean-Style Diet
Men suffering from ED had improved erectile function after adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet for two years, reported Wendy Kohatsu, M.D. and colleagues at the May 2009 University of Arizona Health and Nutrition Conference. The Mediterranean diet includes nutrients that increase the life span, improve sexual function in both men and women, and lower the risk of ED, heart disease, cancer, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. These beneficial nutrients include monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fats, antioxidants, plant sterols and fiber.
Mediterranean Diet Foods
The Mediterranean diet is based on traditional eating habits of people in the Mediterranean region. To follow this style of eating, include olive oil in your diet. Olive oil is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and is the most abundant fat in the Mediterranean diet. Consume several servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eat fish, a rich source of omega-3 fats, about twice per week. Keep dairy intake moderate, and eat mostly yogurt and cheese. Limit alcohol to two 5-oz. glasses of wine per day to get the benefits while keeping possible health risks low. Eat whole grain foods instead of refined grains, and eat plenty of legumes, such as beans, lentils and peas. Only eat red meat and other foods high in saturated fats occasionally.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction and Lifestyle Changes: Diet and Exercise
- University of Arizona 2009 Health and Nutrition Conference: Mediterranean Diet Deconstructed: Evidence-based Culinary Medicine and Practical Applications
- Medaus Pharmacy: Dietary Factors, Mediterranean Diet and Erectile Dysfunction
- "The New York Times"; First Come Erectile Ills, Then Heart Troubles; Peter Jaret; Feb. 29, 2008
