It is sometimes said that men decide with their penis rather than their heart, and there is a kernel of truth here when it comes to disease too.
Believe it or not, the risk factors for developing erectile dysfunction are very similar to those that lead to heart disease.
Think about it...
An erection is dependent on blood flow. If we have obstructions or disruptions to that flow (e.g. high blood pressure, arterial plaques, nerve dysfunction), erectile dysfunction can emerge. This is very similar to the problems of blood flow seen in heart disease (e.g. chest pain or angina due to insufficient blood flow).
Therefore, having high cholesterol (LDL-C/P + ApoB), high blood pressure, smoking, sedentary behaviour, and poor diet quality all increase risk of erectile dysfunction.
When it comes to diet specifically, here are some things you can do to ensure high quality erections...
- Lots of fruits + vegetables, including nitrate-rich foods (beets, leafy greens)
- Polyphenol-rich foods (blueberries, dark chocolate, olive oil)
- Low saturated fat, high polyunsaturated fat (Omega-3 especially)
- Reduced salt intake
- Calorie-appropriate, i.e. maintain a healthy bodyweight
Beyond simply improving your sex life, it is important to note that erectile dysfunction can also be a sign of future cardiovascular disease. This warning light often presents itself much sooner than any other symptoms of cardiovascular disease, and therefore, you should also take a look at other risk factors such as blood lipids, blood pressure, etc. if you have been experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Finally, not all erectile dysfunction is vasculogenic, and thus you should consult your doctor to exclude psychological, neurological and other causes of erectile dysfunction, especially if you are younger and thus less likely to be experiencing vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.
