### Can Weight Loss Help Men with Erectile Dysfunction? Italian scientists have found a surprising solution that may help millions of men suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED): weight loss. ED is a condition where men have trouble getting or keeping an erection. Studies show that about 52% of men aged 40-70 experience some degree of ED. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2004 involved 110 obese men aged 35-55 with ED. These men were put on a program of healthy eating and exercise to help them lose 10% or more of their body weight. After two years, the group had lost an average of 33 pounds and were more physically active. About one-third of them saw a significant improvement in their sexual function. Earlier studies had shown that men who are at a normal weight and are physically active are at a lower risk for ED. The Italian study was one of the first to look at treatments for ED beyond surgery and drugs. Its findings led doctors to consider weight loss and exercise as the initial treatment for obese patients with ED. An estimated four out of five men with ED have BMIs (body mass indexes) greater than 25. Overweight men with BMIs of 28.7 (about 195 pounds for a 5'9" male) have a 30% greater risk for developing ED than normal-weight men. Being overweight also increases the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. High blood pressure, diabetes or pre-diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption, and blood-pressure drugs all put a man at higher risk for ED. Weight loss can help reduce or eliminate nearly all of these risk factors. Losing weight can improve blood flow not only to the heart but also to other organs, including the penis. The benefits of weight loss go beyond improving sexual function. Losing weight reduces the risk of heart disease and improves insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and many other health conditions. Even losing as little as 5%-10% of your body weight can lead to major health improvements. Besides the health benefits, shedding extra pounds can make you feel better about yourself and enhance your body image. Losing weight provides a huge psychological boost that can be instrumental in sexual performance. If you feel better and look better, you will perform better in the bedroom. So use this information as extra incentive to keep following your healthy eating plan and getting enough physical activity. Then dress up the new and improved you in clothing that makes you look and feel great. Take that feeling of self-esteem into the privacy of your bedroom, and let it help you put sizzle into your love life.