Dan's Papers - May 6, 2008 - Move More, Eat Less, Dodge ED

There are many good rationalizations for all of us to pursue a healthy lifestyle. But for men, there's a tremendously compelling reason: better erections.

An estimated 18 million men in the United States - that's 18.4 percent of adult males aged 20 years and older - have ED. A study by the American Heart Association Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention showed a link between cardiovascular risk factors and erectile dysfunction (ED). It also suggested that this high ED prevalence may be a result of unhealthy lifestyles, marked by inactivity and poor nutrition. Healthy habits like increased exercise and better diet were shown to cut cardiovascular risk factors, and may help prevent ED.

Elizabeth Selvin, Ph.D., M.P.H., a lead author of the study and a research fellow at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, said that men who reported being physically active were much less likely to have ED compared to men who reported no daily physical activity. Those who lead a more sedentary life, measured by hours of daily TV, video, and computer use, were more likely to have ED even after taking other risk factors into consideration.

In the study, 2,216 adult male participants reported on their ability to achieve and maintain erections. These reports were collected from the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES), a broad cross-section survey considered to be an accurate reflection of the U.S. adult male population. Men who reported they are "sometimes able" or "never able" to achieve and maintain erections were considered ED sufferers.

The study showed that middle aged men and men with one or more cardiovascular risk factors (including hypertension and diabetes) were more prone to ED. More than half of all adult men with diabetes also suffer from ED - in fact, they are three times as likely to have the condition than men without diabetes.

According to ED expert Miles Jones, M.D., "An unhealthy cardiovascular system is likely going to be reflected in poor sexual performance. The key to an erection is being able to get that rush of blood. Hardening or clogging of the arteries associated with heart disease affects not just your coronary arteries, but arteries throughout the body."

An overall healthy lifestyle may strengthen erections as it strengthens the cardiovascular system. Selvin said that studies show exercise as a factor in helping improve erectile function. In fact, all the things we know are important in preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes - losing weight, eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and getting lots of exercise - may also prevent ED.

The study revealed that quantity of exercise might influence quality of erections. According to Selvin, "The more men exercised, the less likely they were to have ED."

But both Selvin and Jones agree that the study's association between ED and unhealthy lifestyle might help physicians screen cardiovascular disease and diabetes. "If someone complains of ED, his doctor should investigate all associated conditions," said Jones. This recommendation promises even greater impact as men are increasingly open to discussing ED with their doctors.

"A healthy lifestyle is what's necessary to reduce not only ED, but cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and everything that goes with that," said Jones. "Simply put, moderation ... and stop smoking!" Selvin agreed, succinctly summing up her study's ED lesson: "The important message is: move more, eat less."