Erectile Function in Subjects With the Metabolic Syndrome
Men with the metabolic syndrome demonstrate an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED). In the present study, we tested the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on ED in men with the metabolic syndrome. Men were identified in our database of subjects participating in controlled trials evaluating the effect of lifestyle changes and were included if they had a diagnosis of ED associated with a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, complete follow-up in the study trial, and intervention focused mainly on dietary changes. Sixty-five men with the metabolic syndrome met the inclusion/exclusion criteria; 35 out of them were assigned to the Mediterranean-style diet and 30 to the control diet. After 2 years, men on the Mediterranean diet consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain, and olive oil as compared with men on the control diet. Endothelial function score and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein) improved in the intervention group, but remained stable in the control group. There were 13 men in the intervention group and two in the control group (P=0.015) that reported an IIEF score of 22 or higher. Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnut, and olive oil might be effective per se in reducing the prevalence of ED in men with the metabolic syndrome.
The metabolic syndrome consists of a constellation of factors that raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Recent estimates indicate that the metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in the US, with an estimated 24% of the adult population affected. Its clinical identification is based on measures of abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, raised blood pressure, and glucose intolerance. The etiology of this syndrome is largely unknown, but presumably represents a complex interaction between genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors, including diet. Several recent studies also suggest that a proinflammatory state and endothelial dysfunction also associate with the metabolic syndrome.
We have recently shown that subjects with the metabolic syndrome had increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) (26.7 vs 13%, P=0.03); moreover, there was an increase in ED prevalence (International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF <21) as the number of components of the metabolic syndrome increased, suggesting that the cumulative burden of cardiovascular risk may be central to the pathogenesis of ED. Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnut, and olive oil might be effective in reducing both the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and the cardiovascular risk associated with. One of the mechanisms responsible for the cardioprotective effect of such diet may be through reduction of the low-grade inflammatory state associated with the metabolic syndrome.
In the present study, we analyzed the effect of Mediterranean diet on ED in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.
Men with the metabolic syndrome demonstrate an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED). In the present study, we tested the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on ED in men with the metabolic syndrome. Men were identified in our database of subjects participating in controlled trials evaluating the effect of lifestyle changes and were included if they had a diagnosis of ED associated with a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, complete follow-up in the study trial, and intervention focused mainly on dietary changes. Sixty-five men with the metabolic syndrome met the inclusion/exclusion criteria; 35 out of them were assigned to the Mediterranean-style diet and 30 to the control diet. After 2 years, men on the Mediterranean diet consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain, and olive oil as compared with men on the control diet. Endothelial function score and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein) improved in the intervention group, but remained stable in the control group. There were 13 men in the intervention group and two in the control group (P=0.015) that reported an IIEF score of 22 or higher. Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnut, and olive oil might be effective per se in reducing the prevalence of ED in men with the metabolic syndrome.
The metabolic syndrome consists of a constellation of factors that raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Recent estimates indicate that the metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in the US, with an estimated 24% of the adult population affected. Its clinical identification is based on measures of abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, raised blood pressure, and glucose intolerance. The etiology of this syndrome is largely unknown, but presumably represents a complex interaction between genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors, including diet. Several recent studies also suggest that a proinflammatory state and endothelial dysfunction also associate with the metabolic syndrome.
We have recently shown that subjects with the metabolic syndrome had increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) (26.7 vs 13%, P=0.03); moreover, there was an increase in ED prevalence (International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF <21) as the number of components of the metabolic syndrome increased, suggesting that the cumulative burden of cardiovascular risk may be central to the pathogenesis of ED. Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnut, and olive oil might be effective in reducing both the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and the cardiovascular risk associated with. One of the mechanisms responsible for the cardioprotective effect of such diet may be through reduction of the low-grade inflammatory state associated with the metabolic syndrome.
In the present study, we analyzed the effect of Mediterranean diet on ED in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.
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