The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a new study which explains that improved erectile function, sexual desire and lower urinary tract symptoms are enhanced by weight loss in obese men with type 2 diabetes.
Led by Professor Gary Wittert, MBBch, MD, FRACP, FRCP, of the University of Adelaide, 31 obese men with type 2 diabetes were studied over an 8 week period by researchers. The men were given either a low-calorie meal replacement diet or a low-fat, high-protein and reduced-carbohydrate diet, both of which were prescribed to lower their daily intake of calories by 600.
Results revealed that a modest weight loss of 5% produced accelerated reversal of sexual and urinary problems within 8 weeks, together with continual improvements up to 12 months.
Wittert reports:
“Our findings are consistent with the evidence that not only erectile function, but also lower urinary tract symptoms are a marker of cardio-metabolic risk.
The evidence that improvement can be achieved by modest weight loss, in particular when a diet is of high nutritional quality, is of public health significance in framing public health messages that resonate with men.”
Irwin Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine also explained:
“This important paper supports earlier publications that lifestyle is relevant and can positively affect sexual function.
At a time when oral drugs are very popular, it can now be shown that weight loss is an important non-pharmacologic therapeutic intervention in restoring erectile and urinary function and cardio-vascular health. Obesity is an epidemic, and such data reinforce the positive relationship between eating right, losing weight, improved sexual function and voiding and overall cardiovascular health.”
Written by Grace Rattue