Exercise May Correct Erectile Dysfunction

Researchers sought to establish if a number of factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and an inactive lifestyle had any influence on the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Over 1,700 men aged 40 to 70 years were examined from 1987 to 1989 and then about 1,150 were followed up on between 1995 and 1997. Data was also analyzed for some 600 subjects who had been free of moderate or complete erectile dysfunction during the initial study. None of these subjects had prostate cancer and they had not been treated for heart disease or diabetes.

Findings revealed that there was a significant association with physical activity. The highest dysfunction risk was seen ‘among men who remained inactive and the lowest among those who remained active or initiated physical activity’.

Subjects who were obese during the first examination in the late 1980s had a greater risk of erectile dysfunction regardless of any weight loss during the follow-up study. Changes in smoking patterns or alcohol consumption were not associated with erectile dysfunction as observed in the Urology (August issue).

Anti-Aging Perspective:

Regardless of your age, exercise improves longevity and enhances sexual function. Midlife changes may be too late to reverse the effects of smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption, but it may reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction even if initiated in midlife. The anti-aging lesson is simple - exercise !

© 2001 Academy of Anti-aging Research. All Rights Reserved. source.