High Cholesterol and Erectile Dysfunction
Tasty Ways to Lower Cholesterol
For the most part, when it comes to keeping your cholesterol under control, there are many sacrifices that must be made. Foods that once seemed to be a normal and mindless part of your diet are suddenly outlawed and placed on a blacklist of foods to avoid. However, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can remove a few key items from that list, and place them on your “healthy” list.
You’ve heard the hype about egg yolks and high cholesterol contents. Well, according to an article published in Men’s Health eggs can actually improve cholesterol? It’s true—a study revealed that the consumption of eggs is attributed to weight loss, mainly credited to increased energy levels.
When it comes to eating pasta, there is a loophole—as long as it is whole grain, it is just fine! Those who have a diet inclusive of daily whole grains proved to be healthier than those who do not eat whole grains, daily. Additionally, pasta includes antioxidants that help to reduce LDL.
Stearic acid can be found in naturally-farmed pork. This particular type of acid is the equivalent to the beneficial fat found in olive oil. The greater portion of stearic acid consumed is changed by the body into oleic acid. Because of this conversion, it is believed to be harmless in regards to cholesterol.
With this information in mind, you can now freely enjoy some of the foods that you may have been avoiding. However, remember—everything in moderation.
High Cholesterol is One of the Leading Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Men.
You’ve heard about how high cholesterol can have a negative effect on a man’s sex life and you may even be currently experiencing it yourself. But why does high cholesterol lead to erectile dysfunction? These seemingly unrelated conditions actually do go hand in hand. First, let’s go over how erections work. After a male is simulated sexually either by touch or by being mentally stimulated, chemicals are released into the body that cause the penile arteries (corpora cavernosa) to relax, allowing for the penis to become engorged in blood. As the arteries and blood vessels in the penis fill with blood, it stiffens and elongates. Erections subside after stimulation has ceased or after an orgasm.
How does cholesterol affect the erectile process? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance and when there is too much of the “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood stream it creates plaque in the arteries that cause damage and block blood flow. These blockages make it much more difficult for blood to travel to the penis and genital area to create an erection. The higher your LDL levels the more likely it will be for you to develop erectile dysfunction.
Also, high cholesterol can make it more difficult for the body to produce the necessary chemicals to create an erection. High cholesterol can affect the body’s ability to properly release nitric oxide into the blood stream. This prevents the proper relaxation of penile tissues in order for them to be engorged in blood.
High cholesterol can also affect testosterone production. Testosterone is the chemical that makes a man, a man. Testosterone is produced in the testicles, plays a big role in sending messages of sexual stimulation throughout the body and it also controls a man’s libido or sex drive. The higher the levels of testosterone in the body, the greater your sex drive. High cholesterol can curb blood flow to the testicles, damaging their ability to produce testosterone.
High cholesterol medications called statins also contribute to erectile dysfunction. Although these medications can lower cholesterol levels and help save lives, many men report them having a negative effect on their erectile function. So although lower cholesterol levels can help to reverse erectile dysfunction, the pills themselves can make it more difficult for some men to get an erection in the meantime.
High cholesterol can damage a man’s sexual performance as well as his libido in many different ways. The two health conditions are so linked that many times, erectile dysfunction is the first symptom of high cholesterol that men experience. If you have erectile dysfunction and high cholesterol there are many treatments available that won’t interfere with your high cholesterol medications. Make an appointment with a physician at Boston Medical group today by calling 1.877.895.7615 and after a thorough assessment they can prescribe the best course of erectile dysfunction treatment for your particular case. In some cases Boston Medical Group can have their patients back in peak sexual performance in as little as one visit.
What is Cholesterol?
We know that too much cholesterol in the bloodstream is a bad thing, so why do we have cholesterol in our bodies in the first place? Cholesterol actually does a lot of work and it exists in the outer layers of every cell in the human body. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it is used to form some hormones, cell membranes and is needed for many other vital body functions. But, too much “bad” cholesterol can lead to coronary heart disease and is a leading cause of heart attack. Also, for the men out there, high cholesterol levels are a leading cause of erectile dysfunction or difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
The word “cholesterol” comes from the Greek word chole, meaning “bile,” and the Greek word stereos, meaning “solid, stiff.” It is a waxy fat (or lipid) that is produced in the liver and is located throughout the body, especially in the blood stream. Cholesterol originates in the body in two main ways. First, the cholesterol you bring into the body through dietary intake, like a cheeseburger or those Buffalo wings you had for lunch. Secondly, the liver produces and secretes certain types of cholesterol and also works to regulate its presence in the bloodstream.
Here are some of the major functions of cholesterol:
• It maintains and builds the outer layers of cell membranes and prevents the crystallization of hydrocarbons into the membrane.
• It is a key player in deciding which molecules are allowed to enter the cell and which ones cannot.
• It is a big player in the production of both male and female sex hormones.
• It is essential for the production of adrenal gland hormones.
• It helps in bile production.
• It takes sunshine and turns it into Vitamin D
• It helps the body to metabolize fat-soluble vitamins including A, D, E and K.
• Provides nerve fiber insulation
How Do People Get High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol problems can occur in people who make unhealthy lifestyle choices as well as those who get it through no fault of their own because of their genetics. If you have a family history of coronary heart disease or high cholesterol, you have a far greater chance of having cholesterol problems. Also, if you are of people from the Indian sub-continent (Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka) you are more susceptible to having higher cholesterol levels, compared to those who hail from other parts of the globe.
You can also elevate your cholesterol levels due to lifestyle choices like a diet high in saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fat include red meat, some pies, sausages, hard cheese, lard, pastry, cakes, most biscuits, cream and many more tasty but very unhealthy foods. Also a lack of exercise and too much time on the couch can lead to high cholesterol. Further, smoking and drinking too much alcohol can work to raise your cholesterol levels as well.
Are You at Risk for High Cholesterol?
You may have heard it before, but high cholesterol levels put you at risk for cardiovascular problems including heart attack and stroke. Even if you have low cholesterol, you should be aware if any of your current behaviors may one day put you at risk for a heart attack. Also, if you’re male, high cholesterol is a major cause of sexual health problems including erectile dysfunction and impotency. High cholesterol can do damage to the arteries and veins that allow for proper blood flow to the penis making it difficult to achieve a full and lasting erection.
Here are a few of the conditions that can put you at risk for high cholesterol:
Heredity
Do immediate members of your family suffer from high cholesterol? This can put you at a much greater risk than you may imagine. Scientists have found a direct genetic link between cholesterol levels amongst family members. If high cholesterol runs in your family, even with a relatively healthy diet you may be at risk for the disease just because of your genetics. Also, eating habits tend to be consistent amongst family members, so unhealthy eating habits can be passed from generation to generation. Carefully consider your family’s eating habits to see if that puts you or subsequent generations at risk of high cholesterol.
Age
Age does play a factor as it pertains to cholesterol levels, but it varies by sex. In men, cholesterol levels tend to begin to rise at about the age of twenty and they level off somewhere in the early fifties. In women, cholesterol levels usually stay fairly low until after menopause. After menopause, women’s LDL or bad cholesterol levels tend to rise.
Physical Inactivity
Do you have a desk job that keeps you inactive all day or do you spend a lot of time on the couch watching TV? Physical inactivity is linked with high cholesterol levels. But conversely, getting the right amount of exercise can help lower your bad cholesterol levels and raise your good cholesterol levels. And you don’t have to be a world class athlete, just 30 minutes a day for five days a week can really make a huge impact on your cholesterol levels and overall health.
Smoking
Nicotine, the active, addictive ingredient in tobacco products, stimulates the release of adrenaline into the system. This in turn stimulates the breakdown of fats and increases the blood levels of free fatty acids and stimulates the releases of VLDL (similar to LDL or bad cholesterol) and triglyceride into the blood stream.
Your Eating Habits
Last, but definitely not least, your eating habits have the largest impact on your cholesterol levels. Eating foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and low in fiber is a recipe for high cholesterol. The best way to lower your cholesterol levels is to eat plenty of fruit, foods high in soluble fiber and whole grains.
High Fructose Could Mean High Blood Pressure
High-fructose corn syrup is everywhere! It’s in the sugary-sweet soft drinks, “fruit” juices, syrups and many of the candies that we so love to eat. What could be so bad about these tasty treats? A new study by the University of Colorado Denver Health Services suggests that there could be a direct link to hypertension or high blood pressure.
According to the study, just as little as two and a half sodas a day (or 74 grams of fructose) increases the risk of hypertension to a 28%, 36%, and 87% higher risk for blood pressure levels of 135/85, 140/90, and 160/100 mmHg, respectively. These studies suggest that lowering the amount of high-fructose corn syrup intake can have a significant impact on lowering blood pressure levels. Keeping your blood pressure low isn’t just great for your heart. Did you know that hypertension is a major cause of erectile dysfunction? If you’re a man, you’ll want to pay extra special attention to keeping your blood pressure low.
So, what is high-fructose corn syrup? High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener and also a preservative. It is created by changing the sugar (glucose) in cornstarch to fructose – another form of sugar. The end product is a combination of glucose and fructose. This new type of sugar is used because it enhances the shelf life of food by acting as a preservative. High-fructose corn syrup began being used prominently in foods as sugar prices rose in the ‘60s. This corn-based product was cheaper to make so it began to appear prevalently in the American diet. High-fructose corn syrup is blamed by many for the rising obesity rates in the U.S. – with some critics pointing out that it made sweet foods cheaper and more readily available while other critics believe it is a direct cause of the obesity crisis. And, as we all know, obesity leads to high blood pressure or hypertension.
The easiest way to reduce the amount of high-fructose corn syrup in your diet is to simply read the label. But, chances are, if you’re eating something sweet – it’s in there. High-fructose corn syrup appears in many, many soft drinks, even those labeled and sold as “natural.” Soft drinks, sports drinks, lemonade, iced tea and almost every sweet drink you can think of contains high-fructose corn syrup. You will also find high-fructose corn syrup in many cereals, baking mixes, baked goods, breads, pastries, cookies, canned fruits, ice cream, salad dressings, and the list goes on…
Reducing the affects of hypertension, in addition to getting proper medical care and taking the appropriate medications, is all about changing your lifestyle. The tried-and-true method of eating right and getting good exercise is always the best policy when dealing with diet-related illness. Everyone loves to indulge their sweet tooth, but a little bit goes a long way, and having just a little bit will make a big change in your overall health.
The Meat Lovers’ Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a big problem and it affects men everywhere. But what’s a guy to do if he loves eating meat? How do you go on living if you’re a typical red-blooded American who enjoys some beers and bratwurst at a tailgate party or a sunny summer afternoon cooking up some steaks on the grill? Well, as you may know, high cholesterol can lead to serious health issues like heart attack, stroke and even erectile dysfunction. The damage that cholesterol does to the arteries can have a serious impact on a man’s ability to have a satisfying sexual relationship. So how can a guy’s guy who loves a great steak or some carne asada live healthfully without giving up something near and dear to his heart?
Here’s a list of different ways you can still enjoy meat, while lowering the dangers to your health and your sexual performance.
Beef – The King of All Meats.
First of all, lean ground beef is the way to go, period. When you’re shopping at the supermarket, pick up the 93%-lean ground beef which is considered “lean” by the USDA. This can be broiled into a nice Salisbury steak, baked into a casserole, poured over whole-grain spaghetti or cooked with some fresh tomatoes to make a tasty Sloppy Joe – definitely a manly meal. Also, you can enjoy a nice cut of beef, as long as it is lean and you don’t go overboard on the size. As a rule of thumb, anything labeled loin or round is lean. The seven leanest cuts are: eye round, top round, round tip, top sirloin, bottom round, top loin and tenderloin.
Chicken – It’s All About How You Cook It.
Chicken is a high-protein food that is fairly low in fat, especially the white meat. Chicken contains on average 11% fat (5% without the skin) and if you refrain from battering it and frying it in oil, it can be pretty good for keeping your cholesterol levels down. Also, be sure to avoid internal organs such as giblets and liver as these are extremely high in cholesterol. But who likes liver anyway? The main point here: bake it and don’t eat the skin.
Fish – Swimmingly Good for High Cholesterol Sufferers
Now, nobody ever saw a fat fish, right? Fish have very little fat so it’s a great thing to eat if you have high cholesterol. Now, of course, there are rules. Make sure you don’t fry the poor fish or smother it in something really fatty, that’ll take away the positive health benefits. The best way to prepare fish is to grill or poach and you’re allowed to fry only if you use a thin spray of vegetable oil, such as canola oil. Oven baking of fish is acceptable, provided that, once again, only a thin spray of oil is used.