Foods That Help

Natural Aphrodisiacs — Figs, bananas and avocados are natural aphrodisiacs loaded with vitamins and minerals that can encourage more blood flow to the genitals and naturally increase sex drive.

Vitamin C foods — Vitamin C improves blood circulation to the organs so it’s important to make sure you consume foods rich in vitamin C on a daily basis. Vitamin C has also specifically been linked with a healthier female libido.  Some great choices include broccoli, oranges, red peppers and guava.

Iron-rich foods — For women in particular, low iron levels can have a negative affect on sexual desire, arousal, lubrication and ability to have an orgasm. Great sources of iron include dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, along with grass-fed beef.

Collagen-rich foods — Collagen production naturally declines with age. This has a direct negative effect on skin health and makes it harder to keep skin firm. This phenomenon can make it harder for men to maintain an erection, and it can lead to a looser vaginal wall in women. To increase your collagen levels, you can consume more bone broths and opt for a collagen supplement powder. Vitamin C also helps to increase collagen production.

Sweet potatoes — Sweet potatoes or yams are loaded with potassium and vitamin A. The potassium can help with high blood pressure, which makes a man more likely to have erectile dysfunction.

Watermelon — In 2008, research conducted at Texas A&M demonstrated that watermelon may have a Viagra effect. The phytonutrients known as lycopene, beta-carotene and citrulline found in watermelon help relax blood vessels. While watermelon might not be as organ-specific as Viagra, it can be helpful in the bedroom without any negative side effects when you naturally want to improve libido.

Spices like nutmeg and clove — Spices are loaded with antioxidants, which is great for overall health, including libido. Research published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine specifically found that extracts of nutmeg and clove enhanced the sexual behavior of male animal subjects.  Clove is also great at improving bad breath.

Dark chocolate — Research has shown that chocolate consumption leads to the release of phenylethylamine and serotonin, leading to some aphrodisiac and mood-lifting effects.  Just make sure you choose a low-sugar, high-quality dark chocolate.

Brazil nuts — These nuts are high in selenium, which plays a role in maintaining healthy testosterone levels.

Almonds — Rich in zinc, selenium and vitamin E, almonds contain vitamins, minerals and healthy fats that can improve sexual health and reproduction.

Water — Making sure you’re not dehydrated is helpful when it comes to your libido since dehydration can cause a number of negative side effects that can easily dull sexual desire. If you want to avoid possible fatigue, headaches and vaginal dryness, then drink up.

Foods to Avoid

Trans fats and fried foods — Foods items that are greasy and/or loaded with trans fats are not helpful in the bedroom by any stretch. The adverse effects of consuming trans fatty acids can include increases in abnormal sperm production for men and interference with gestation for women.

Processed foods — Chemicals in these foods may negatively affect sexual performance.

Poor-quality protein — Factory-farmed meat is known for containing added hormones and antibiotics, which can lead to hormonal imbalance in the body.

High-sodium foods — Foods that are very high in sodium, like canned foods and processed foods, can contribute to high blood pressure, which in turn decreases the flow of blood to the sex organs.

Conventional dairy — Milk, cheese and other dairy products from cow’s milk can have synthetic hormones that have a negative effect on estrogen and testosterone levels.

Sugar — Sugar in general negatively affects sex hormones. Studies have shown specific and scary affects on testosterone levels. In a 2013 study of male subjects, the consumption of glucose decreased blood levels of testosterone by an average of 25 percent, regardless of whether the men had diabetes, prediabetes or normal glucose tolerance. Testosterone levels also remained low hours after glucose consumption.

Caffeine — Overindulgence in caffeine can have unwanted affects on sexual performance.

Alcohol — Overdoing it on alcoholic beverages is known to decrease sexual desire, arousal and sensitivity. If you’re going to imbibe, opt for one glass (yes, just one) of polyphenol-rich red wine. The antioxidants in red wine can help widen blood vessels and increase blood flow to key arousal areas.

Microwaveable Popcorn — It may be convenient, but it’s certainly not healthy. The chemicals found in the lining of microwave popcorn bags (as well as nonstick pots and pans) have been linked to a lower sex drive for men. According to a 2009 study, these types of popcorn bags contain perfluoroalkyl acids, such as PFOA or PFOS, known to significantly lower sperm counts.

Dr. Sharmila Majumdar

Make an Appointment at the Sexual & Mental Health Clinic, Avis Hospital

The post How to Increase Libido Through Diet appeared first on Dr. Sharmila Majumdar - Sexologist Psychoanalyst in Hyderabad.

Erectile dysfunction — the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex — can be an early warning sign of current or future heart problems. Understand the connection and what you can do about it.

How are erectile dysfunction and heart problems linked?

In the past, the buildup of plaques in the arteries of your body was believed to be the reason why erectile dysfunction often precedes heart problems. The idea was that plaque buildup reduces blood flow in the penis, making an erection difficult.
However, experts now believe that erectile dysfunction preceding heart problems is more often due to the dysfunction of the inner lining of the blood vessels (endothelium) and smooth muscle. Endothelial dysfunction causes inadequate blood supply to the heart and impaired blood flow to the penis, and aids in the development of atherosclerosis.

How strong is the connection between erectile dysfunction and heart problems?

Erectile dysfunction does not always indicate an underlying heart problem. However, research suggests that men with erectile dysfunction who have no obvious cause, such as trauma, and who have no symptoms of heart problems should be screened for heart disease too.

What are the risk factors?

Besides sharing a common disease process, erectile dysfunction and heart disease also share many risk factors, including:

• Diabetes. Men who have diabetes are at high risk of ED and heart disease.
• Tobacco use. Smoking increases your risk of developing vascular disease and can cause ED.
• Alcohol Use. Drinking too much alcohol can cause heart disease and might contribute to other causes of heart disease, such as high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol. Alcohol also impairs erections.
• High blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of your arteries and accelerates the process of vascular disease. Certain high blood pressure medications, such as thiazide diuretics, can also affect sexual function.
• High cholesterol. A high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis.
• Age. As you get older, erections might take longer to develop and might not be as firm. The younger you are, the more likely that ED signals a risk of heart disease. Men younger than 50 are at especially high risk. In men older than 70, erectile dysfunction is much less likely to be a sign of heart disease.
• Obesity. Excess weight typically worsens other risk factors for heart disease.
• Low testosterone. Men with low testosterone have higher rates of ED and cardiovascular disease compared to men with normal testosterone levels.

What are the treatment options for erectile dysfunction caused by heart disease?

If your doctor thinks you might be at risk of ED or heart disease, consider making lifestyle changes. Increase your physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking and drinking. However, further tests or treatment might be needed if you have more-serious signs and symptoms of ED.

If you have both erectile dysfunction and heart disease, talk to your doctor about treatment options. If you take certain heart medications, especially nitrates, it is not safe to use many of the medications used to treat erectile dysfunction. Consult a sexologist at the earliest as it could save your life by many years.

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