by Maggie Bonnet, PhD., RN
In this blog, I’d like to highlight some findings on nutritional tips that can aid with erectile dysfunction (ED).
No magic wands, but may be helpful! My hope is that you will gain insight into the direct correlation between nutrition an ED. To be clear, this post is not intended to be medical advice. It is important that you consult your doctor before implementing any suggestions you read or hear about.
Let’s talk about what it takes to get an erection.
First you need a stimulus for the brain. Meaning you need to be in a situation that stimulates the brain. Because when the brain is stimulated, it sends a message to the penis. When the penis does not have a message from the brain, the smooth muscles are contracted, which gives the penis it’s flaccid characteristic.
But when the penis receives a message from the brain, the muscles expand. Such messages from the brain also stimulate the vessels, thus increasing the blood flow which causes the vessels to dilate. The blood flows to the central cavernous spaces, while the brain sends message to the muscles and the nerves, leading to increasing girth and length. Of course, the process is a lot more complex than this brief description. But I think you get the idea.
External factors that can affect erection include but are not limited to:
Stress, Depression, Issues that Affect your Psychological Functioning
High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Obesity and High Cholesterol
Some medications also have the possibility of affecting erection. To prevent or aid with erectile dysfunction, one must adopt a healthy lifestyle. Incorporate smoking cessation, exercise, limited alcohol intake, and proper nutrition.
Because erectile dysfunction is often associated with poor blood supply to the penis, foods that are good for vascular system may help.
- Most people don’t like beets, but they are good for you. Beets as well as leafy greens contain nitrates which dilate the blood vessels.
- Tomatoes are delicious and contain lycopene which is good for circulation.
- Almonds, and dark chocolate contain magnesium which is an arterial relaxant. Arterial stiffness is common as we get older, and can be a contributing factor in age-related erectile dysfunction.
- A summer’s favorite of many is watermelon. They contain phytonutrients which are also antioxidants. These ingredients relax the blood vessels that supply erection.
- And last but not least, oysters. They have the reputation of being aphrodisiacs. Possibly because they contain the mineral zinc which can boost testosterone level. Please note, that some people with high cholesterol have been advised to refrain from or limit eating shellfish due to the high cholesterol content of some shellfish. Therefore, always take into consideration your own medical history and always consult your doctor.
Learn more about Maggie and how she can help with erectile dysfunction, Here
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