Although many people know what erectile dysfunction (ED) is, most people are unaware of its prevalence. Reports showed that ED affects up to 20 million men in the US, and the majority of these cases are common in men aged 40 to 70. For most men with ED, this condition results in heightened physical and emotional stress.
However, the good news is that ED is treatable and can be preventable as long as you know how to take care of your body. This is because ED can be caused by malnutrition and unhealthy lifestyle habits (such as alcoholism, high sugar intake, and obesity), which are all within our control.
What Will I Learn
Malnutrition and Erectile Dysfunction
Alcoholism
Drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health, in general. Aside from causing liver and heart problems, alcoholism can lead to ED as well. In a study on sexual dysfunction in males with alcohol dependence, researchers found that sexual dysfunction is prevalent in nearly half of the patients with alcohol dependence, with ED as the most commonly reported condition. This affects their sexual desire, erection, and satisfaction with orgasm, which may similarly affect their ability to achieve a better quality of life. Additionally, too much alcohol intake only lowers your sex hormones because alcoholic beverages act as depressants in your brain, making you less likely to become stimulated.
High sugar intake
Consuming food with high levels of sugar can also cause ED. If you indulge in too many sweets on a regular basis, you’re increasing your likelihood of developing insulin resistance. This will lead to lower testosterone levels, which causes disorders related to sexual function, such as ED and reduced sex drive. Another effect of high sugar intake is fatigue due to sugar crashes. After experiencing sudden and temporary spikes in blood sugar levels, you’ll feel less aroused because you will feel tired instead.
Obesity
Lastly, being overweight and obese contributes to ED. A study on weight loss and erectile function reveals that 30% to 40% of men with ED are also obese or overweight. This is because individuals experiencing obesity have lower testosterone levels and higher insulin resistance, which influences sex drive. That’s why researchers believe that by losing weight, men can improve their erectile function. Indeed, the same study showed that testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity of men with obesity elevated after weight loss. This strongly indicates the relationship between obesity and ED.
Preventing Erectile Dysfunction
In our article on the best vitamins for ED, we shared that getting vitamins should be part of your daily wellness regimen, especially since some vitamin deficiencies can cause ED. For instance, research suggests that men who don’t get enough Vitamin D are 32% more likely to struggle with ED than men who receive adequate amounts of the sunshine vitamin. Fortunately, getting out and staying under the sun is not the only way to get Vitamin D. Consuming food rich with Vitamin D, such as fatty fish and egg yolks, is also a great way to get more of these vitamins into your system.
Although addressing vitamin deficiencies can help, it’s not the sole method to prevent ED in the long term. It’s better that you develop a balanced and healthy diet plan to ensure that you’re receiving the necessary nutrients in adequate amounts. Modern weight loss programs have proven that customized meal plans are necessary because not every individual is the same. Some people may need a more specific type of food than others to balance out the nutrients they get. Furthermore, a customized dietary program will be much easier to integrate into your daily life because they consider your food preferences and habits. Ultimately, a personalized nutrition plan can help you guarantee that the food you eat will always be beneficial for your body, allowing you to live a healthier life with a reduced likelihood of experiencing ED.
If you want to know more about how you can better manage your health and boost your testosterone levels and libido, visit our site to learn more about male health.
