Why does impotence occur?

Excess carbohydrates can be one of the causes of vascular disorders that ultimately lead to erectile dysfunction. The mechanism here is multilayered and is related to glucose metabolism, insulin, and the condition of the vascular endothelium.

How carbohydrates affect blood vessels

Chronic hyperglycemia. With a constant excess of carbohydrates, blood glucose levels often exceed physiological norms. This leads to the glycosylation of proteins — damaging their structure due to the "sticking" of glucose molecules. As a result, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed, which make the vessel walls stiffer, increase their permeability, and activate chronic inflammation.

Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. A high and constant release of insulin against a background of carbohydrate overload leads to decreased tissue sensitivity to insulin. This condition is accompanied by:

• increased triglyceride levels,
• decreased levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL),
• development of visceral obesity,
• chronic inflammation.

All of this worsens the condition of the vascular wall and accelerates atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. When the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels) is damaged, the production of nitric oxide (NO) — a key substance that causes blood vessel relaxation — is disrupted.

Without NO, blood vessels cannot properly dilate. For an erection, the expansion and filling of the cavernous bodies of the penis with blood is the main physiological condition.

Why this leads to erectile dysfunction

Erectile function directly depends on blood flow. If blood vessels lose elasticity and their lumen narrows due to atherosclerotic changes:

• blood flow to the penis decreases,
• sensitivity of receptors to NO signals decreases,
• the hemodynamics of erection itself is disrupted.

In essence, erectile dysfunction becomes an early marker of vascular diseases, preceding heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, men with carbohydrate overload, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome often complain first about decreased potency.