Guys, does watching "The Godfather Part II" make you feel like a hyped-up lone wolf?
According to a 2004 study in Hormones and Behavior, that's because the macho movie has made your testosterone level rise 30%.
Conversely, the study says, if you watch a romantic flick like "When Harry Met Sally," your testosterone level falls.
If only managing erectile dysfunction (ED) were as simple as choosing the right movie.
In reality, low testosterone isn't the usual cause of ED; restricted blood flow is. The solution for most guys lies in treating the underlying health issue(s) that reduce blood flow, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure.
A new study using data from the European Male Ageing Study shows how important it is to address those problems. Over about 12 years of follow-up, men with normal total testosterone levels and ED were at a 51% greater risk of death than with men without ED.
Fortunately, improving your lifestyle can normalize blood pressure, glucose level, weight, and bad LDL cholesterol, and can prevent or reverse Type 2 diabetes. That will improve your blood flow, along with your self-esteem.
So adopt and stick to a life-changing nutrition and exercise regimen. (Try Dr. Oz's System 20 for 20 at DoctorOz.com.)
And ask your doctor if it's safe for you to take meds, like Viagra, that enhance genital blood flow. But don't rely on them. The smart solution is to upgrade your cardiovascular health by upgrading your lifestyle choices.