Sexual Health of Men!

The sexual health of men is not as complicated as that of women.  Show a man a certain type of image and if his brain and nervous system are working properly to produce nitric oxide, then a response will usually occur.  That's not to discount any mental, emotional, and spiritual components but it is the physical component that has the greatest impact on man's sexual health.  This article will focus on what men can do to improve the physical component of their sexual health.  The side benefit is that these suggestions can also positively impact your overall wellness and how you age.

In all the information I gathered to prepare for this article, two overriding issues kept surfacing.  These two health issues were consistently present.  The first is hormone levels.  The second is cardiovascular health.  Most men would understand how hormone levels could apply but few ever consider cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular Health! 

Your cardiovascular health is as important to your sexual health as it is to your overall health.  The reason why centers on the health of the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels of your body.  The creation of nitric oxide occurs in these endothelial cells. Nitric oxide researchers believe that nitric oxide can correct up to 90% of all penile dysfunction.  When the endothelial cells are damaged by high blood pressure, high sugar levels, cholesterol, and smoking this decreases nitric oxide production.  Endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide are critical to the sexual health of men.

Hormone Levels! 

At its simplest level, sex is just a hormone driven function designed to perpetuate the species.  With that said, the sexual health of American men is in trouble.  Testosterone levels have been decreasing over the last 20 years.  Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone.  It plays an important role in maintaining bone and muscle mass.  Low levels of testosterone have been linked to lowered libido and diabetes.  Diabetes can affect the endothelial cells of the blood vessels compounding the problem of lower testosterone levels.

Over the past two decades, the level of testosterone in American males has decreased by 16 percent.  Researchers don't know why.  But there are some clues.  The recent Nurses' Health Study revealed some important truths as they apply to women.  Some of those truths also apply to the sexual health of men because they affect both hormonal levels and cardiovascular health.

Additionally, as testosterone levels have decreased this has resulted in reduced muscle mass and tone, reduced metabolism and energy and an increase in body fat.  Not a sexy combination!  You can accept it and do nothing about it.  Or, you can begin to live life by making healthier eating and exercise choices.  Choices that will help your body actually be younger physically than your chronological age.

You Have Control Over the Process! 

Every day you replace approximately 1% of your cells.  That means that 1% of your body is new today, 1% is new tomorrow, and 1% is new each and every day of your life.  You choose whether those new cells will be nourished properly or poorly.  You choose whether you will have healthy and vibrant cells that act young.  Or, sickly and sedentary cells that act old.

The sexual health of your body will be affected by the choices you make.  I call it "The 1% Solution!" and it will positively affect the cardiovascular and sexual health of your body.

Choices Affecting Sexual Health! 

The Nurses' Health Study highlighted five critical lifestyle and diet behaviors.  They are:

• Carbohydrates - Slow verses Fast! 
• Fats - Natural verses Artificial! 
• Protein - Animal or Plant! 
• Body Weight - Your BMI! 
• Exercise - Is It Important? 

If you look at this list, three critical components emerge:  Diet, Weight, and Exercise!  Now you might think that this only applies to women.  It doesn't!  Each of these factors will affect your cardiovascular health and hormonal balance.  Each of these factors also affects the health of your endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide.  Nitric oxide production is the most important component to the sexual health of men.  Let's look at how all of these factors impact your sexual health.

The Diet Component! 

You are what you eat and drink.  The sexual health of your body and the cardiovascular health of your circulatory system will be greatly determined by your food and drink choices.  These choices will also impact the potential for disease and how you age.

Your first choice is in the area of carbohydrates.  Are you choosing foods and drinks that are high in fast carbs (simple sugars)?  If you are, then you need to understand that:

• Fast carbs disrupt hormone levels. 
• Fast carbs create the potential for high blood sugar that can lead to diabetes. 
• High blood sugar can damage the endothelial cells of your blood vesse