Sunday, February 6, 2011

Low libido and infertility

Low libido and infertility is more common in industrialized countries, and problems with sexual performance can be a demoralizing issue for men in particular. Below are some of the more common reasons for poor sexual performance in men (and women).

Chemicals including xeno estrogens in personal care products, pesticides in non-organic foods and many packaged foods, and a variety of chemicals in tap water can have a significant impact on sexual performance. To counteract these issues, avoid using products containing xeno estrogens or other hormone disruptors, and drink plenty of purified living energized water.

Poor diet can also play a key role in sexual performance, or lack thereof, andexcess weight wreaks havoc on your hormone system, and it can also be linked to negative feelings, which can both have an impact on sexual performance.

Eating more than a piece of fruit or some raw veggies before bed can lead to hormone imbalance. It takes the body three to four hours to digest a meal, and if your body is doing that, it will not release some of the crucial hormones and other natural body chemicals required for healing, regeneration and recharching the body during sleep, and that means reduced hormone production. Eating six small, balanced meals and snacks throughout the day and early in the evening will prevent large fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which can help you control your weight.

Trans Fats in processed foods, margarines, and fried foods leave a large glob in the bloodstream, which can cause problems for men—not to mention the issue of an overall poor diet of cooked, processed foods. This could be the single biggest factor in sexual performance, and is simple to solve: stop eating bad fats and eat the appropriate amount of raw healthy fats. Fats should be 20 percent of caloric intake and best if they are raw fats, such as raw nuts and seeds, cold pressed oils such as coconut, hemp and olive, and avocado.

A healthy diet should be 80 percent alkaline and contain mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. The remainig 20 percent of a healthy diet should be cooked foods, including quality organic protein such as fresh fish, eggs, and a small amount of whole organic non-gluten grains or sweet potatoes or yams for carbs.

Eating organic as much as possible is important to avoid pesticide residues and genetically modified foods that may mimic hormones and affect performance.

Emotional distress can have a negative impact on your sex drive and sexual performance. Resolving issues related to fear, anger, and guilt is a must. Talk it out and come to a resolution before problems become overwhelming issues.

Exercise can have a significant impact on your sexual performance. Just 20 to 30 minutes of exercise three to five times a week might be all you need to get that libido back to its prime.

Smoking, excessive amounts of alcohol, and use of drugssteroids, and somemedications can suppress libido. If you suspect a medication is the culprit, talk to your doctor to find out if there is an alternative.  If you smoke or use steroids or drugs, stop.

Enhance Your Sexual Performance Naturally

There are plenty of herbs, oils, spices and foods that can help support sexual performance. Keep in mind that some herbs and foods can interact with medications, so be sure to consult your doctor before trying any of these options.

Aveena sativa: This herb ncreases drive and orgasm intensity for both men and women.

AshwagandaAyurvedic herb from India is an aphrodisiac, stress adaptagen, rejuvenating; take 400 to 1,000 mg daily.

Cordyceps: An exotic mushroom used in Chinese medicine for anti-aging and cure-all properties, it increases energy, libido, and improves oxygen use in the body. Cordyceps is primarily collected wild (the cultivated cordyceps is of lower quality), but this makes it very expensive, costing up to $1,000 for 100 grams. Studies out of China and Japan have shown a 64-percent success rate among men suffering from impotence, versus 24 percent success in the placebo group.

Horny goat weed: An aphrodisiac that increases libido in men and women, horny goat weed also improves erectile function in men. The leaves of the plant contain a variety of flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols, and an alkaloid called magnaflorine.

Saw palmetto: Promotes good prostate health.

Tongkat ali: An aphrodisiac for men and women, tongat ali is reputed to help men achieve harder erections. Genuine Tongkat Ali root in 100:1 ratio is very expensive, and there are also two general levels of quality: Yellow root and black root. The black roots are considered more potent than the yellow roots and are thus more expensive.

Tribulus terristus: This male aphrodisiac also promotes muscle strength, athletic performance, and physical rejuvenation.

I also highly recommend doing a liver cleanse two times a year. The liver filters out toxins and is a factor in hormone balance in both men and women.  Milk thistle is gentle yet very effective at cleansing and rebuilding liver cells. It is a great herb that can be taken long term with excellent results.

A few lifestyle changes and certain herbs may be all that you need to achieve enhanced libido or better sexual performance—no blue pill required.