Table 3. Suggested comprehensive general and specific lifestyle changes with clinical evidence to be included in sexual dysfunction guidelines and that could be utilized with or without conventional medicines by health care professionals and patientsa.
| Lifestyle/health parameter | General recommendation for men |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Eliminate or reduce when dieting; otherwise, 1–2 standard drinks per day maximum |
| Calories (dietary) | Reduce by 100–600 calories day−1 according to weight-loss goals |
| Dairy | Low-fat and low-calorie dairy |
| Carbohydrates | Reduce simple sugars and increase consumption of complex carbohydrates including fiber (see below) |
| Cardiovascular risk markers | Review the overall numbers to achieve or maintain heart-healthy parameters (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, heart rate, C-reactive protein, etc.). Heart health=sexual health. |
| Exercise | Approximately 30 min minimum per day on average or at least 300–500 calories expended per daily physical activity. Resistance exercise should also occur 1–2 times a week. |
| Fat (dietary) | Reduce saturated fat to less than 10% calories, increase intake of monounsaturated andother healthy fat (omega-3 for example) |
| Fiber | 20–30 g day−1 of a combination of soluble and insoluble fiber, or 15 g of fiber per 1000 kcal consumed per day |
| Fruits and vegetables | Several servings per day of whole fruits and vegetables (not processed) |
| Meat | Lean, game and grass-fed meats should be encouraged over high-saturated-fat meat, and moderate to minimal consumption should also be encouraged. |
| Medications (prescriptions and supplements) | Review the list on a regular basis to determine the impact on sexual health |
| Mental health (depression/stress/anxiety) | Awareness and discussion and evaluation on a regular basis |
| Nuts and seeds | Several servings a week (high in fiber, magnesium, potassium and healthy fats) |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Consume healthy fatty fish at least twice a week and increase consumption of plant omega-3 (chia, flaxseed, soy, etc.) |
| Processed food | Choose unprocessed options when possible (whole fruit instead of juice, whole grain, etc.) |
| Protein consumption | 0.8–1.0 g kg−1 of body weight; utilize low-calorie whey, casein, egg white or plant (soy, etc.) protein powders if needed |
| Sleep | A total of 6–8 h on average per night and become educated on specific sleep issues (apnea, nocturia, snoring, etc.) |
| Sodium (or potassium/sodium ratio) | Consume less than 2500 or 1500 mg day−1 if salt-sensitive or highly salt-sensitive; otherwise, choose foods with high potassium/sodium ratio (>2∶1) (unsalted nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, etc.) |
| Tobacco (including cigars, smokeless and secondhand/passive) | Eliminate or educate on current cessation options |
| Weight and waist size | Maintain a healthy weight/waist, or a 5%–10% weight reduction over several years is associated with sexual and overall health improvements. Become educated on local weight-loss medical organizations and publications. |
a
Discussion with a hospital, clinic or community nutritionist should also be encouraged, and a goal of reducing cardiovascular risk to as close to zero as possible with the primary care doctor or specialist should be discussed with each patient.