erectile dysfunction

Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Rob

Erectile dysfunction may be an early warning sign for potential cardiac problems, but a plant-based diet could improve both erectile function and heart health as well as increase testosterone (See also here). More specifically, eating pistachio nuts and watermelon as well as avoiding BPA plastics may result in visible improvements. Low-carb diets may be particularly harmful. The same disease mechanisms are involved in women and similarly, female sexual function maybe improved on a plant based diet.

For substantiation of any statements of fact from the peer-reviewed medical literature, please see the associated videos below.

Image Credit: Nick Torontali / Unsplash. This image has been modified.

33 videos

All Videos for Erectile Dysfunction

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Walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts are put to the test for erectile and sexual function, sperm count, and semen quality.

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Addyi (flibanserin), the drug marketed for “hypoactive sexual desire disorder,” is ineffective and unsafe. What about dietary approaches for female sexual dysfunction?

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What is the role of erectile dysfunction drugs like Cialis and Levitra in the promotion and progression of prostate cancer and melanoma?

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Pistachio Nuts for Erectile Dysfunction

Men eating pistachio nuts experienced a significant improvement in blood flow through the penis accompanied by significantly firmer erections in just three weeks—perhaps due to pistachios’ antioxidant, arginine, and phytosterol content.

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Since both coronary heart disease and impotence can be reversed with a healthy diet, sexual dysfunction can be used as a motivator to change poor lifestyle habits.

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BPA Plastic and Male Sexual Dysfunction

Canned foods and sliced turkey were found to be contaminated with the plastics chemical BPA, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction.

Watermelon as Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, which has been found to improve erection hardness in men with mild erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Cholesterol and Female Sexual Dysfunction

The buildup of cholesterol in pelvic arteries can lead to sexual problems among both men and women via a similar pathway (erectile dysfunction).

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A case report in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly Journal of the American Dietetic Association) of a man who went on the Atkins diet, lost his ability to have an erection—and nearly lost his life.

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