In addition to being an important health and quality of life issue for men, erectile dysfunction has long been associated with CV disease. Risk factors for erectile dysfunction and CV disease are similar – including older age, smoking, obesity, and diabetes, among others. In addition, multiple overlapping mechanisms lead to the development of both erectile dysfunction and CV disease.

In the article entitled “The relationship of erectile dysfunction and subclinical cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Drs. Chukwuemeka Osondu (Baptist Health South Florida), Bryan Vo (Florida International University), Ehimen Aneni (Mount Sinai Medical Center), and colleagues sought to establish erectile dysfunction as a simple and effective marker of underlying subclinical CV disease. They hypothesized that “measures of erectile dysfunction could be a simple effective CV disease risk stratification tool, particularly in young men who are less likely to undergo aggressive CVD risk assessment and management.”

The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies that examined the link between erectile dysfunction and measures of early CV disease. They report a significant association of erectile dysfunction with impaired endothelial function (measured by brachial flow-mediated dilation using ultrasound), a marker of the ability of blood vessels to relax that is an early event in vascular disease development. In addition, the authors report that erectile dysfunction was associated with increased carotid intimal medial thickness (carotid IMT), an early manifestation of atherosclerosis. The results for the association of erectile dysfunction and coronary artery calcium scoring were inconclusive due to small number of studies with limited sample size. The authors identify this as an area in need of future study.

As explained by the authors, “Our study findings indicate that [young] men [with erectile dysfunction] are at greater risk of having identifiable subclinical CV disease and will benefit from an active CV disease work-up…Our study supports a more aggressive CV disease risk assessment and management for persons with erectile dysfunction, including young men who may otherwise be categorized as low risk due to their young ages.”

In an accompanying editorial, Drs. Naomi Hamburg and Matt Kluge (Boston University) agree: “The presence of erectile dysfunction portends a higher risk of future cardiovascular events, particularly in intermediate risk men, and may serve as an opportunity for intensification of cardiovascular risk prevention strategies.” They add “The findings add to the growing evidence supporting additional trials to determine the clinical impact of erectile dysfunction screening and the appropriate cardiovasculardirected evaluation and treatment of men with erectile dysfunction.”

“Medications, genetic disorders and medical conditions can all play a role in stone formation,” says urologist Smita De, MD, PhD. “But diet is a critical component for most patients.”

The best diet to avoid kidney stones varies depending on the type of stone a patient makes since each has different risk factors. There are four main kinds of kidney stones, but the most common are calcium oxalate stones.

Health issues, such as diabetes or osteoporosis, can also affect stone development and dietary recommendations. So it’s essential to consider these factors when developing the best kidney stone diet plan for you.

But these seven general guidelines are good for most people who’ve had stones, says Dr. De.

1. Drink more fluids

When urine is concentrated, waste products in fluid start to crystalize. The best way to combat that is to drink more fluids to water down your pee. “Most people are way more dehydrated than they think they are,” says Dr. De. “They’re not drinking nearly enough fluid.”

Aim for at least 2.5 liters of liquid a day. That’s about 10 cups. Water is the healthiest choice, but most beverages — including coffee and alcohol — count.

The exceptions? Sugary drinks like punch and cola, which research suggests may increase your risk of kidney stones.  Also, some types of teas may not be the best depending on your type of stones.

2. Keep eating calcium-rich foods

People with calcium oxalate stones often think they have to cut out dairy. That’s very rarely the case, says Dr. De. “You need calcium in your diet to support strong bones and muscles. What causes an issue is if you’re taking large amounts of calcium supplements.”

Try to meet your calcium needs through food rather than supplements unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

3. Reduce salt intake

Higher salt levels in urine promote stone formation. “American diets are terrible when it comes to salt intake, and it’s not just a matter of people adding salt to foods,” says Dr. De. “Many foods we eat contain a large amount of sodium.”

Dr. De says it’s surprising how much salt is in even healthy foods. “For example, low-fat cottage cheese has one-third of your daily salt in it.”

Limit your salt to 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams a day. That’s about a half teaspoon of salt. In addition to not salting your food, pay attention to how much sodium is in prepared foods, including:

• Salad dressing.
• Cereal.
• Bread.
• Soups.
• Pasta sauces.
• Snacks.

4. Add lemon and lime juice to water

Lemon and lime juice serve as kryptonite for certain types of kidney stones. They contain citrate, which both neutralizes acid in urine and can stop calcium stones from forming.

“For example, uric acid crystals form and turn into stones in an acidic environment,” Dr. De explains. “So if your urine is alkaline [the opposite of acidic], then uric stones won’t form, and you can actually dissolve uric acid stones with high doses of citrate.”

Add lemon or lime into your water whenever you can. Aim for getting a total of a half cup of lemon or lime juice concentrate into your drinking water over the course of a day.

5.Talk to your doctor about supplements

Some common supplements — like vitamin C, turmeric and calcium — can increase your risk for kidney stones. Others like fish oil and vitamin B6 can help reduce your chance of getting them.

Discuss supplements with your doctor before taking them to make sure they won’t lead to stone formation.

6. Rethink some healthy foods

Your doctor may recommend more dietary changes for you based on stone type and the results of a 24-hour urine test to determine your urine composition — basically, what your urine is made of.

If you have high oxalate content in your urine, for instance, your doctor may advise staying away from oxalate-rich foods like rhubarb and spinach. Or they may recommend eating those foods with dairy, as the calcium from milk products binds to oxalates and forces them into your feces rather than urine.

“Oxalate is in a lot of really healthy foods like greens, vegetables, beans and nuts,” says Dr. De. “So we would only restrict them after examining a patient’s stone type and urine test results.”

7. Limit meat consumption

If you have kidney stones, reducing meat in your diet is a good idea, says Dr. De. Animal protein can lead to increased amounts of acid in urine. A high level of acid promotes the crystallization of compounds in your pee that can turn into stones.

High amounts of animal protein can also reduce citrate in your urine, which — as noted above — helps prevent stone formation.

You don’t have to strike meat from your grocery list entirely, but try to scale back.  That means limiting:

• Fish.
• Chicken.
• Pork.
• Red meat.

The bottom line on preventing kidney stones

Diet changes can make a big impact on the formation of kidney stones. It’s the first line of defense — and can be a very effective one — against kidney stone formation.

So with a few dietary adjustments, you may be able to ban kidney stones for life. (What a happy thought!)

Symptoms:

An urgent need to urinate, more frequent trips to the bathroom, a slow or interrupted flow of urine, and a feeling of wanting to urinate even after you have finished are some of the most prevalent red signs that should not be disregarded. Blood in the urine, blood in the sperm, bone pain, unexpected weight loss, and erectile dysfunction are all signs of prostate cancer. Also Read – 5 Common Health Issues Men Should Watch Out For  

Risk Factors:

While the exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, there are a number of factors that can increase your chances of developing the disease. After the age of 50, your chances of developing prostate cancer increase. If you have a family member with prostate cancer, such as a parent, sibling, or kid, your risk may be increased. Obese people may have a higher risk of prostate cancer than people who maintain a healthy weight. Also Read – Monkey Pox: Symptoms, Treatment and How Is It Different From Chicken Pox

Prevention:

If you acquire symptoms of prostate cancer, you should consult a doctor immediately. Eating a balanced diet that includes a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Rather than taking calcium pills, try to get your calcium from natural foods. Regular exercise improves your general health, helps you maintain a healthy weight, boosts your mood, and relieves stress. Its great way to take care of your fitness routine.

While there’s no one magic bullet, research suggests that these measures may lessen BPH symptoms:

● Avoid liquids a few hours before bedtime or before going out

● Limit caffeine and alcohol as these may stimulate the urge to urinate
● Eat a low-fat diet

● Eat a large variety of vegetables each day

● Eat a few servings of fruit daily, and be sure to include citrus fruits
● Participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week

● Maintain a healthy weight

The bottom line? Healthy habits such as regular exercise, watching your waistline, eating vegetables and fruits, and keeping an eye on dietary fat may help with BPH as well as lower your risk of erectile dysfunction, diabetes and heart disease.