If your libido is running low, adding more flavor to your diet can add more flavor in the bedroom. A healthy sex drive is linked to feeling physically and emotionally healthy, so it’s clear that intentional food choices can influence sexual health..

Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD is a sexual health expert who reports that “Sexually active people take fewer sick days.” By improving your sexual health, you can improve your overall health. A healthy sex life can boost your immune system by strengthening how your body defends against germs, viruses, and other intruders.

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences.”

Factors That Affect Sex Drive

• Stress
• Self Esteem
• Heart Health
• Mental Health
• Hormone Levels
• Medications
• Lifestyle Habits
• Fatigue

There are many factors that influence sexual health regardless of if you have a partner or not. For example, women ages 20 to 40 lose 50% of their testosterone. These levels continue to decline each year. This affects not only sex drive but lean muscle, energy, body fat, mood, sleep and ambition. Low sexual activity may lead to health problems.

Also for women, libido starts in the brain. What you might call “being in the mood,” scientists call the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. While the brain doesn’t produce estrogen or testosterone, receptors for those crucial hormones are activated in the brain. “Women’s excitement phase is above the shoulders, versus below the waist for men,” says ob-gyn Sherry A. Ross, MD. “Which is why racing thoughts, depression, stress, or even just thinking about your to-do list, are pretty instant mood-killers.” 

Finally, heart health and blood flow play a significant role in sexual pleasure. During sex, the heart rate increases and blood vessels dilate or expand. That extra blood flow helps to increase vaginal lubrication and insertion during intercourse. Low blood pressure and low blood circulation can decrease libido.

 

How Nutrition Influences Sexual Health

A nutritious diet can benefit your sex life in many ways:

• boosting your libido 
• improving blood flow and heart health 
• improving your stamina 

Eating a diet rich in vegetables and lean proteins — and low in foods that contain sugar and saturated fat — can also help prevent disorders that affect your libido.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD says that “Good sex is really about good blood flow. That ensures you’re getting the right nutrients to your brain, as well as getting the right stimulus to your sex organs. So improving your sex life means avoiding the things that decrease blood flow (nicotine, drugs, sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, syrups, diabetes, high BP), and embracing the things that increase blood flow (exercise, DHA or omega-3 oils, avocados, fruits, vegetables, 100% whole grains, ginseng, gingko biloba, L-arginine, lemon, citrilline).”

These five foods are packed with nutrients that can improve your heart and brain health, balance hormones, and therefore improve your sexual health.

1. Oysters

Oysters are of course the epitome of aphrodisiacs. The reason is that oysters are high in zinc. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food source, with one serving providing 673% of your daily value!

Zinc is an aphrodisiac because it increases blood flow. Zinc supports sexual health by increasing blood flow to sexual organs. Zinc also helps regulate testosterone levels. If you’re not a fan of mollusks, try lobster or crab instead. Both types of shellfish are high in zinc. Try eating shellfish to increase your sexual desire.

2. Salmon

Salmon is well known for having heart-healthy, omega-3 fatty acids. Fish such as sardines, tuna and halibut, help prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This promotes healthy blood flow throughout your body. By keeping the circulatory system working smoothly, salmon reduces the risk of diseases that impair sexual function. 

Fish is also a great source of protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iron. To boost your sexual health, aim for two servings of fish per week.

3. Beets

Beetroots are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and dietary nitrates, which means they can boost your sex life. Dietary nitrates expand the blood vessels, through a process known as vasodilation, which improves blood flow. This has beneficial effects on muscle contraction. 

Try to add beetroot juice to a smoothie or add beets to salad. One serving per day for a week can reduce blood pressure and increase sexual stamina.

4. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate includes a variety of feel-good compounds, such as caffeine, theobromine, and N-acylethanolamine — a substance chemically similar to cannabinoids. Dark chocolate also includes flavonoids, which boost mood by increasing blood flow to your brain and reducing inflammation. Dark chocolate has a high hedonic rating which means it stimulates multiple senses. The pleasurable taste, texture, and smell increase dopamine and serotonin, the joy hormones. Savoring chocolate can help you stimulate your senses in preparation for sex.

While you may be tempted to reach for a typical Hershey’s bar or bag of M&Ms, make sure to check the cocoa percentage first! Since regular milk chocolate contains added ingredients like sugar and fat, choose 70%+ dark chocolate in its raw form for maximum results.  

5. Almonds

Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, are tasty snacks that improve brain health and therefore sexual health. Almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds, are excellent sources of plant-based proteins, healthy fats, and fiber. Nuts and seeds lower the risk of depression by increasing brain health. They also include tryptophan, an amino acid responsible for producing mood-boosting serotonin. 

 

Try BioIdentical Hormone Therapy to Increase Sexual Health

If you aren’t feeling more sexual desire after adding these aphrodisiacs to your diet, there may be an underlying condition that’s affecting your sexual health, such as hormone imbalance. If you’re experiencing menopausal symptoms, your estrogen levels may be low.

If you are experiencing a lack of sexual desire, the first step is to consult with a provider about sexual dysfunction. The providers at Natural Bio Health are dedicated to discussing your concerns and provide possible alternatives. Lab tests are an important part of determining the root causes of any dysfunction. A lab test could indicate if hormone therapy may increase your sexual health.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a natural solution to restore hormone balance. The Endocrine Society has defined bioidentical hormones as “compounds that have exactly the same chemical and molecular structure as hormones that are produced in the human body.” 

BHRT Can Be Absorbed in Variety of Methods

Bioidentical hormones are made from plants such as yams. Bioidentical estrogen derived from plant sources (17β-estradiol) is available in pellets, pills, patches, sprays, creams, gels, and vaginal tablets. Micronized progesterone is available in a capsule or as a vaginal gel. 

BHRT Can Be Absorbed Faster

According to Harvard Health, when estrogen is taken as a pill or absorbed in diet, it’s first processed through the liver. This stimulates proteins associated with reducing heart disease and stroke. When delivered by transdermal (skin) patch, estrogen isn’t first processed by the liver and — at the same level of blood concentration — doesn’t have these effects.

BHRT Can Be Customized

Women who cannot tolerate the nonhormonal ingredients contained in synthetic hormone therapy can have compounded bioidentical hormones (CBHT) speciality formulated to their unique body type. Practitioners can prescribe custom dosages based on individual biochemistry and health history.

 

Contact Natural Bio Health Today

Our team is dedicated to helping you understand the numerous factors that may be preventing optimal health. Learn more about taking control of your health. Join the wellness journey to achieve optimal health, fight disease and boost immune health to combat viruses. Visit naturalbiohealth.com.

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