Men suffering from impotence may take a look at their lifestyles to help determine the cause. A man who has been recently trying out a gluten-free diet may wonder if this is the cause to his problem. A diet, such as a gluten-free diet, cannot cause impotence. However, conditions that may lead someone to try a gluten-free diet may cause impotence in some people.
Celiac and Erectile Dysfunction
Celiac disease is the body's inability to digest the protein gluten, found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. When an individual with Celiac disease consumes gluten, an autoimmune response is triggered, which causes the body to attack itself, primarily the intestines.
In advanced cases of Celiac disease, malabsorption can become a problem since damage to the small intestine is so acute the body can no longer get nourishment from the food it eats. This can lead to weight loss, or weakness in some people. According to the American Family Physician, Celiac disease can also cause insensitivity to circulating testosterone, which can result in a decreased libido or impotence in some men.
There is no cure for individuals diagnosed with Celiac disease. The only way to reverse the damage and stop symptoms is to adhere to a gluten-free diet. This diet, however, is not a cause of impotence.
Get Help and Support
A gluten-free diet may not be the cause of your impotence, but it is important to get help and find the cause, whatever it may be.
- Learn more about the causes of impotence.
- Join an impotence and erectile dysfunction support group.
- Speak with your doctor about getting to the root of your problem.
Your doctor can help you get a better idea of whether your impotence will improve with a strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, or whether your impotence has another cause and needs further treatment.
