Lifestyle
plays an important role in determining the overall health of an individual. The
foods you eat, the time you work out for, the time you sleep for - everything
plays a vital role in your daily life. If you eat foods that are high in sugar,
are fatty and greasy, you might have a difficult time as you age.
Fried and fatty foods often clog your arteries and make it difficult for blood to flow properly. On the other hand, if you eat healthy foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds, legumes, etc., you’ll find yourself productive and keep yourself away from all the illnesses.
However, due to our sedentary lifestyle, the same isn’t the case. Due to work-related stress and other things happening in our daily lives, we all crave for foods that tantalize our taste buds and calm our senses.
The bad news is - most of the foods that we eat have a negative impact on our health in the long term. Where physical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, etc. are common among middle and old age groups, these conditions can certainly be avoided if a healthy diet regime is followed.
As men age, they may find trouble performing in bed as they may not be able to get hard properly. Sexual concerns such as erectile dysfunction (ED) are pretty common. Around 30 million men in the US are known to suffer from this condition.
While medications such as Viagra 200mg (which is the highest dose of
the drug) are helpful for the treatment of ED, they aren’t a permanent solution
for the problem in the long term. Therefore, making certain lifestyle
modifications becomes important so that you can have a great time with your
partner.
Let’s
take a look at certain foods that you can include in your daily diet to combat
erectile dysfunction.
1.
Foods Containing L-arginine
L-arginine
is an amino acid found in foods rich in protein. Our body uses l-arginine to
make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is responsible for the widening and relaxation
of blood vessels, thereby increasing the blood flow to the penis. Studies
suggest that men with lower l-arginine levels tend to have ED.
Some
foods that are rich in l-arginine are poultry, red meat, fish, nuts, and dairy
products.
2.
Green Vegetables and
Beetroots

Leafy
greens such as spinach can increase blood circulation as they are high in
nitrates. In fact, beetroot juice has been found to be high in nitrates.
Nitrates are vasodilators that help open up blood vessels and increase blood
flow. Therefore, taking foods rich in nitrates can help to fight off the
ill-effects of ED.
Moreover,
the ED drugs that are prescribed these days work in a similar manner by
providing a relaxing effect on the blood vessels that supply the penis.
3.
Watermelon

Studies
suggest that watermelon increases sexual desire and has similar effects on the
penis like the ED drug Viagra. It is rich in ingredients known as
phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are antioxidants. Watermelon is loaded with an
antioxidant called lycopene that’s good for the heart, prostate, and skin. It
relaxes the blood vessels that supply an erection and makes it easier for you
to get hard. Although watermelon is loaded with 92% water, the other 8% works
wonders for men with ED.
4.
Mediterranean Diet
Mediterranean
diet is a diet that’s high in vegetables, legumes, nuts, beans, cereals,
grains, fish, and unsaturated fats such as olive oil. Various evidence suggests
that the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease increases the chances of experiencing ED as it damages
the blood vessels and disrupts the blood flow. Following a Mediterranean diet
can reduce the risk of ED and improve sexual function.
5.
Flavonoids in Dark Chocolate

Flavonoids
are phytonutrients that are found in dark chocolates and certain fruits and
vegetables. They help to improve endothelial function and blood pressure. Since
they are a group of plant compounds, they are naturally occurring antioxidants
that protect plants from toxins and help repair cell damage. A 10-year study
conducted on 25,000 males found that men who consumed the most flavonoids had
9-10% less incidence of ED than men who consumed the least. Furthermore, it was
observed that men who ate and drank flavonoids such as strawberries,
blueberries, red wine, apples, pears, and citrus products had a 19% lesser risk
for ED. There are also flavonoid supplements available in case you don't like the bitter taste but still want the dark chocolate properties.
6.
Zinc-fortified Foods
Zinc
is an essential mineral that your body needs to produce testosterone. Foods
such as oysters and shellfish are rich in zinc that help to boost testosterone
levels and increase sex drive. Lower testosterone levels have been linked with
erectile dysfunction. Therefore, make sure you add zinc-fortified foods or zinc
supplements to your diet.
While
eating a healthy diet that is good for your heart can improve blood
circulation, it doesn’t guarantee your chances of preventing erectile
dysfunction in the long term. Therefore, if you experience any symptoms of ED
such as an inability to get an erection during intercourse, difficulty
maintaining an erection, and ability to get an erection sometimes but not every
time when you plan to have sex. This is when you should reach out to a medical
professional who’ll examine you by carrying out some tests. If you’re diagnosed
with ED, there are certain treatment options that your doctor may recommend.
Treatment Options for ED
It
is better to discuss your medical history in detail with the doctor so that he
can rule out potential health conditions you may be dealing with. If you take
any medications for health conditions or recreational purposes, let your doctor
know about them.
1.
Lifestyle changes
Your
doctor may recommend making certain lifestyle modifications to improve sexual
function. Lifestyle changes such as a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly,
quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake, getting an adequate amount of
sleep, and managing weight (if you’re obese) can help improve symptoms of
erectile dysfunction.
2.
Medications
Prescription
medications are often chosen as the first line of treatment for ED. While your
doctor may suggest you make certain lifestyle changes, he may also prescribe
you medications such as Viagra and Levitra. These medications belong to the
class of drugs known as PDE 5 inhibitors.
Viagra
contains Sildenafil Citrate that improves blood circulation throughout the
body, including the penis. It is recommended to be taken on an empty stomach
and exactly one hour before any sexual activity. The effects of Viagra last for
4-5 hours.
On
the other hand, Levitra contains the active ingredient Vardenafil that relaxes
the smooth muscles present in the walls of the blood vessels and helps in
increasing the blood flow to the penis. While Levitra 20 mg is the most
commonly prescribed dose of the drug, for men who don’t get the desired
benefits of the drug, your doctor may increase your dose and prescribe you Levitra 60 mg. Levitra is intended to be
taken in a similar manner as Viagra. The effects of Levitra last for a period
of 5 hours.
3.
Alprostadil injection
In
some cases, doctors may recommend using a penile injection that may be injected
into the base or side of the penis. This kind of injection causes an erection
that lasts not more than an hour. Examples include alprostadil and
phentolamine.
4.
Penis Pumps
A
penis pump is basically a hollow tube with a hand-powered or battery-powered
pump. It creates an air suction to pull blood into the penis. Once an erection
is achieved, a tension ring is placed on the base of the penis to hold the
blood and keep it firm. The penis pump is then removed.
The Bottom Line
Sexual concerns such as erectile dysfunction are fairly common. Taking a healthy diet that is good for the heart and blood circulation can improve sexual function. While they don’t guarantee your chances of preventing ED, they are still helpful in avoiding the common causes of ED. If you notice any potential signs of ED, you should consider seeking help from a medical professional. Your doctor can help identify the foods that you should eat and discuss suitable treatment options to combat erectile dysfunction.