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Recently, the topic of sexual health has come into the spotlight, with expert (and one of the symposium speakers) Dr. Oz (Ask Dr. Oz) responding to questions about libido from his audience, hosting an episode on sex addiction and speaking candidly about his marriage. He isn’t afraid to talk openly about the importance of intimacy. “Being intimate with the people you love is critically important to longevity,” the doctor says (the interview here). So important in fact, that it’s on the “Ultimate Anti-Aging Checklist” by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen.
Our guest blogger this week, Jessica Maillet from “A Fete for Food” offers some tips on maintaining a healthy sex life in order to have a healthy, whole life:
- Get busy. Staying physically active improves the health of your heart and circulatory system. Participate in activities that get you and your partner sweating, moving and grooving daily. Working out will keep you fit and can help reduce your risk of diabetes and obesity, conditions commonly associated with sexual problems [WebMD].
- What’s good for the heart is good for the parts. Foods that promote heart health and improved circulatory function have a role in improved erectile response. Find a place in your diet for foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like Alaskan wild salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed. Good fats are also essential to producing hormones like testosterone and estrogen, both essential chemicals involved in sexual activity. Saturated fats and trans fats clog arteries over time and could prevent adequate blood flow, so limit processed foods with trans fats and keep portion sizes in perspective when indulging in foods high in saturated fat like cheeses, butter, certain meats, and certain oils.
- Be aware of your BMI. Researchers have found that higher body mass index BMI is associated with greater impairments in sexual quality of life. Sexual quality of life is more impaired for obese women than for obese men (Obesity Study), but researchers have also shown that a reduction in BMI can improve sexual function in obese men with erectile dysfunction (research).
- Skip the snake oil. While anecdotally there are many products touted as aphrodisiacs, there isn’t any scientific data to show that any food, herb or supplement can improve sexual desire. Just because a food may be symbolically phallic does not mean that it is necessarily beneficial for erectile function.
- Liquid love. A glass of wine may dull inhibition and “set the mood”, but chronic alcohol use can cause high blood pressure, which could lead to decreased circulatory function over time. If you decide to imbibe, do so in moderation, and enjoy with a meal rich in lean, omega-3-packed foods, whole grains, and a variety of colorful vegetables.
By Jessica Maillet, MS, RD, LDN, CPT
About Jessica
Jessica is a Registered Dietitian and certified personal trainer with a Master’s degree in clinical nutrition from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Check out Jessica’s blog at www.afeteforfood.com as she shows you how to develop a love for healthy foods and physical activity. Her passion is to inspire people to eat wholesome, local, affordable and delicious food that promotes happiness and health, and improves the environment and community in which we all live.