You probably know already that a diet high in meat is linked to cancer of the prostate and the breast and heaps of other things you would rather not develop. But did you know that the more meat a man eats the more likely he is to be impotent? Adds a new twist to natural fertility control.
Happily new research points to what we can do to reverses these risks, so lets go Out on a Limb once more and share some fascinating new research with real relevance to daily life.
Then details of a significant new book published by an old friend and colleague, Lea Rose, (old as in we worked together many years ago), on how to improve the quality of death – both personally and for those we love and care for, along with details of the book's launch in Melbourne on August 9th that you are invited to, but first
Thought for the day
Is this nature's Viagra?
As you might guess, impotence – or erectile dysfunction as it is known medically - can have a variety of causes. However, evidence suggests that the most common cause is atherosclerosis - the accumulation of plaque on artery walls.
Plaque of course narrows blood vessels and can prevent them from delivering adequate blood to the heart - leading to heart attacks, and to the brain - leading to stokes. In the case of impotence, plaque reduces blood flow to the genitals - leading to a reduced ability to achieve or maintain an erection.
Of course other "lesser" factors have been associated with impotence, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity and diabetes, but all of these are lifestyle related, and even more specifically, dietary related.
So what to do? If you are tired of sex
feed the man meat
However, if the joy in life includes a healthy sex life, there is important news coming out of the research world.
It seems that eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish, while avoiding red and processed meat and refined grains is associated with lower rates of impotence and can even reverse the problem when it exists.
Specific recent research has shown that in type 2 diabetic men, those with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet had the lowest prevalence of impotence and were more likely to be sexually active.
In clinical trials, the Mediterranean diet was more effective than a control diet in improving impotence or restoring erectile function in men with obesity or metabolic syndrome.
Reference: Espositi K, et al. Dietary factors, Mediterranean diet and erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med 2010 Jul;7(7):2338-45.
NEWS
Ruth and I are having a wonderful time on the grand tour. As I write we are in Coffs Harbor (speaking here Tuesday evening), having completed an evening public talk in Cronulla and day workshops in Katoomba, Sydney and Pt Stephens.
We have stayed with family and friends, along with nights at the grand old Carrington Hotel in Katoomba (where the talk was given) and had time to wander along the coast a little as we travel.
There have been some wonderful meetings. Remarkable survivors like the fellow who came to the residential program at Yarra Junction 15 years ago with Stage 4 melanoma, a women with bowel cancer secondaries from 5 years ago and another with breast cancer secondaries around 5 years ago – all cancer free, very fit, very well.
Then the delight of meditating together in a large group. The depth of meditation that has been felt in these recent public events is quite extraordinary; and is something more profound than has been common in the past. Maybe it is because so many people have done some meditation these days. Many in fact are quite experienced, but it certainly is a joy to be a part off, is great for the beginners and points to the value and power of meditating in a group.
Only drag is that the cold weather has been following us, but hopefully we will be far enough North soon to shake it off! Coffs harbour Tuesday night, Thursday, Friday and the weekend in Brisbane (including a talk on Understanding Death, Helping the Dying on Friday), then Toowoomba next week. For details, CLICK HERE
NOTICEBOARD
Let’s Talk About It! by Lea Rose, Clinical Counsellor is a ground breaking book with the power to change our lives and i highly recommend it. If we are not prepared for death, either our own or as the carer of someone who is dying, we may experience tremendous suffering, fear and regret.
Lea demonstrates that even though we may be facing one of the hardest challenges of our lives, we can still develop peace of mind that we never thought possible. Through Lea’s unique and innovative approach, we can learn how to have an open, even liberating, attitude to death and dying.
Written from Lea’s twenty years experience, this essential book on death and dying can transform the way we die.
Let’s Talk About It! provides practical advice and techniques that can help us to find the courage to face our death; to be empowered to make conscious choices, understand the physical stages of dying, create a care team of family and friends to support real connection; and to be able to communicate through open discussions in our own family and with the dying person.
The book also teaches us that we can make a real difference to our lives and those around us. Just as we want quality of life we must also insist on quality of death.
As well as recounting her own inspirational journey, Lea uses moving true stories to personalise the experience of death and break down barriers and negative feelings.
Let’s Talk About It! is available now via Lea's Webstore, CLICK HERE
