11 Effective Ways to Safeguard Your Erection and Prevent Erectile Dysfunction

How to Keep Your Potency: Avoiding Erectile Dysfunction

4 min read

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can become more common as men age, but it is not necessarily a normal part of aging. How to avoid ED? Here’s what experts told WebMD.

Experts say a diet that’s bad for a man’s heart is also not good for their ability to have erections.

Studies have shown that the same eating patterns that can cause heart attacks due to restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries can also impede blood flow to and within the penis. The blood flow is needed for the penis to become erect. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables along with lots of fatty, fried, and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body.

“The link between the Mediterranean diet and improved sexual function has been scientifically established,” says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego.

Make sure your cholesterol levels and blood pressure are in check!

If your cholesterol or blood pressure is out of whack, get it treated.

There is no evidence that mild or even moderate alcohol consumption is bad for erectile function, says Ira Sharlip, MD, a urology professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Chronic heavy drinking can cause liver damage, nerve damage, and other conditions that can lead to ED.

Strong evidence links a sedentary lifestyle to erectile dysfunction. Running, swimming, and other forms of aerobic exercise have been shown to help prevent ED.  » …
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