subject: Take Heart Against Ed And Cardiovascular Disease [print this page] Written by Chicagoheales.com practitioner Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc -
Ever wonder why there are so many TV commercials for erectile dysfunction drugs? Because it is estimated that 30 million men in America suffer from erectile dysfunction. The 1999 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey counted 1,520,000 doctor-office visits for erectile dysfunction.1 And that was 10 years ago. Erectile dysfunction, abbreviated as ED, is the politically (and medically) correct term for impotence. Erectile dysfunction has been a growth market for the pharmaceutical industry. However, the current medical buzz is all about the latest German study, just published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association that found erectile dysfunction to be a strong predictor of death by cardiovascular disease.2 Drugs that treat ED do not address the underlying cause of the problem""cardiovascular disease.
Erectile dysfunction drugs work so well symptomatically that men think they are functioning healthily when in fact they are at great risk of heart disease, stroke, and death. In other words, ED is symptomatic of a more dangerous condition. I am recommending to all my patients who experience erectile dysfunction to be checked for other risk factors of cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include more than just high blood pressure and cholesterol, but also atherosclerosis and other vascular problems such as the build-up of plaque that precede heart attacks and strokes.
But what about men who do not experience erectile dysfunction? What can a man do who wants to stay healthy and live to a ripe old age with a healthy, joyful sex life? He can take HEART.
Heart healthy diet
Exercise
Avoid cigarette and cigar smoke
Relax and de-stress
Take supplements
Heart healthy diet
"Choose olive oil, and non-hydrogenated cholesterol-lowering margarines
"Limit unhealthy fats such as lard, bacon fat, cream sauce, non-dairy creamers, hydrogenated margarine and shortening
"Choose low-fat protein choices such as fat-free dairy products, fish (especially fatty, cold-water fish such as salmon), beans, and lean meats.
"Choose more fruits and vegetables. Even canned fruits packed in water or their own juice
"Avoid cream sauces and fried and breaded foods
"Choose whole-grain foods
"Limit processed foods made with refined flour
"Use herbs and spices rather than salt, or use reduced-salt condiments
"Don"t overeat
"Limit eating between meals to healthy snacks
Exercise
"It is recommended that we spend 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week. However, shorter amounts of exercise offer cardiovascular benefits. Even 10 minute daily sessions will provide tremendous health benefits. It is easy to start with slow walking and work your way to a more moderate pace that is in keeping with your physical capabilities. Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
"Swimming is the ideal cardiac exercise.
Avoid cigarette and cigar smoke
"Don"t smoke and stay away from those who do.
"Second-hand smoke is just as bad for your cardiovascular system.
Relax and de-stress
"Although emotional stress isn"t bad in itself, when it is triggered inappropriately, it affects your health and immune system. Work stress, financial stress, relationship stress""all take their toll on our health.
"5-Second Breathing Technique: Inhale slowly for 5 seconds, hold it, and then exhale slowly for 5 seconds. Try to keep your breathing as even as possible and focus on oxygen filling up in your lungs. When you exhale, imagine releasing all your stress and negative energy in one sigh.
"A man"s spiritual health can be just as important as his physical health. You can be spiritual without attending religious services. Spirituality is about getting in touch with your soul, with who you are beyond the roles you play in the workforce, family, and community. Writing in a journal periodically by jotting down your thoughts, breathing meditatively as mentioned above, and reading inspirational books are ways to enhance the body, mind, spirit connection.
Take whole-food supplements
"Omega-3 Fish Oil capsules
"Vitamin D3, 400-800 IU daily
"CoQ10, 100-200mg daily
"B-Complex Vitamins
"Good quality whole-food multi-vitamin with minerals
And one last bit of advice: Do yourself and your family a favor""have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly. Keep yourself healthy, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and you dramatically reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease or erectile dysfunction.
Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in men"s and women"s health and reproductive wellness. He is the Executive Director of the Natural Fertility Health Centers (www.FertileSpirit.com), as well as the founder of the Wahls of Wellness (www.WahlsOfWellness.com) and the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers (www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com). Dr. Wahl can be reached at 847 392-7901.
1 www.cdc.gov.nchs/ahcd.htm
2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Michael Bhm, Magnus Baumhkel, Koon Teo, Peter Sleight, Jeffrey Probstfield, Peggy Gao, Johannes F. Mann, Rafael Diaz, Gilles R. Dagenais, Garry L.R. Jennings, Lisheng Liu, Petr Jansky, Salim Yusuf for the ONTARGET/TRANSCEND Erectile Dysfunction Substudy Investigators. Erectile Dysfunction Predicts Cardiovascular Events in High-Risk Patients Receiving Telmisartan, Ramipril, or Both. The ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial/Telmisartan Randomized AssessmeNt Study in ACE iNtoler. Circulation, Mar 2010.
ChicagoHealers.com mission is the education and advocacy of natural medicine and a holistic lifestyle.
Please give credit to the original author when republishing all or part of any article. Also, kindly link back to www.ChicagoHealers.com
