If you’re one of those who are on the road to a healthier and fitter body, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about the ketogenic diet, which is primarily the consumption of foods following the high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate principle.
When you’re on a ketogenic diet, you should only consume 2000 kcal daily with only up to 50g of carbohydrates (1).
Keto diet was first introduced in 1921 as a way to treat epilepsy until anti-epileptic drugs were developed. But after being forgotten for many years, the keto diet began re-emerging, only this time, as a popular way to lose weight and be healthier.
Although some critics would say that this form of diet is too restrictive, a lot of people who’ve been on the program have reported significant weight loss with proper adherence to the diet plan.
But one of the biggest questions about the popular diet is whether or not keto diet and erectile dysfunction have somewhat of a link to each other. Here are five things you need to know about it:
The Ketogenic Diet Doesn’t Help With Erectile Dysfunction
It’s no secret that food control is one of the most important ways to lose weight, especially in obesity. We also know that obesity, which affects around 312 million people around the world, is a predisposing factor for erectile dysfunction.
According to studies, at least 79% of men presenting erectile disorders have a Body Mass Index of 24kg/m2 or greater (2).
Keto diet is a highly popular diet plan that’s been practiced by A-list celebrities like Halle Berry, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, LeBron James, and Vanessa Hudgens, and they are big on promoting the benefits of this program to their overall health.
It’s also not surprising that keto diet is being linked to erectile dysfunction because obesity is one of the most significant factors for the condition, so treating it could also help reduce the risks for getting erectile dysfunction.
However, experts would beg to disagree on this point because, on the flip side, the ketogenic diet is believed to lower your libido, which is crucial in helping you get an erection.
Remember that no matter how many drugs you take for erectile dysfunction, if you don’t feel the drive to have sex, you still won’t get the erection that you want to satisfy your partner in bed.
Ketogenic Diet Can Have Very Erratic Effects on the Body
It’s easy to assume that a keto diet can help with erectile dysfunction because of how it enables you to deal with losing weight to eliminate pre-existing conditions that may cause health problems (3).
But health experts remind us that a keto diet is an extreme form of dieting, which means that every person reacts differently to it. While some don’t have any problems with embracing the program because of the benefits they get from it, others are struggling with the effects of the diet, especially when it comes to their libido and sexual performance.
Some may experience “keto flu” or a condition where one experiences temporary discomfort in the body, including a massive dip in sexual desire, as they begin to practice the diet (4).
Some then report a sudden spike in their sexual drive after a few weeks of getting accustomed to the diet.
There Are Ketogenic Foods That Increase Libido
Although the ketogenic diet has not been proven to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction, there are keto foods that are highly recommended in boosting libido. Dark chocolate is one of the top keto foods because it releases serotonin and phenylethylamine that help increase the mood and libido.
Broccoli is another excellent option because it doesn’t only promote better circulation in the body, but it also boosts libido. Other popular foods for increased libido include eggs, pumpkin seeds, sardines, and salmon.
The Takeaway
According to recent studies, there is still no clear link between the keto diet and erectile dysfunction. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t try embracing this diet program to not only deal with your erectile problems but also be healthier in general.
It’s all about doing trial and error that will hopefully give you a better chance at addressing your health issue and be healthier for the better.
