There are a lot of rumours online about things that can help your sexual health. Many of these things are just rumours with very little evidence to prove that they are helpful. Today we are going to look at a few essential vitamins and minerals that have some evidence showing that they are needed for sexual health.
Vitamin A is used in changing cholesterol into steroid hormones. Steroids are used in the production of sex hormones in both men and women. So if you want to have a healthy sex drive you need to eat foods with adequate vitamin A. These foods include eggs, liver, and milk as well as some meats like poultry and seafood
Vitamin A is used in changing cholesterol into steroid hormones. Steroids are used in the production of sex hormones in both men and women. So if you want to have a healthy sex drive you need to eat foods with adequate vitamin A. These foods include eggs, liver, and milk as well as some meats like poultry and seafood
Vitamin B6 is also needed for sex hormones – but in particular is related to the decrease of prolactin hormones – which are a good things because prolactin in high amounts causes a decreased sex drive. Many food preservatives found in processed foods can decrease B6. You should also pay attention to B6 if you are taking in plenty of alcohol. Foods that contain B6 include liver, nuts (especially walnuts), wheat germ, brown rice, yeast and salmon.
Vitamin D has been controversial and in the media often. There has been
some evidence to suggest that people who suffer from erectile dysfunction have
low levels of vitamin D. You don’t have to worry too much unless you are
particularly low in vitamin D. Vitamin D can actually be boosted by spending
time in the sun. But it is also in foods for those of us in countries where
some seasons have less sun. Foods with it include salmon, tuna, fortified milk,
fortified cereals, beef liver, and cod liver oil.
Folic acid is also used in sex hormones. It is necessary for a good
libido/sex drive and is needed for nerve transmission. You can find folic acid
(or folate) in green leafy vegetables, asparagus, legumes and liver. It is
especially important to note that cooking vegetables can decrease the amount of
folic acid – so try to eat these raw or supplement with a good vitamin.
Vitamin E helps protect sex hormones from breaking down in our bodies. It
is also involved in production of pituitary hormones (which are involved in
making sex hormones). Sources of this vitamin include beans, seeds, vegetable
oils, and nuts. It is also found in many vitamin supplements if you can’t find
these foods.
Zinc is a hormone that is a bit controversial since some myths exist
about boosting it to boost your virility (especially for males!). It is
involved in the production of sex hormones. A decrease in zinc has been found
in some people who suffer with low sex drive. It is found in meat, dairy, and
many seafood.
If you want more information on sexual health in general, please visit our colleagues . If you have any questions, please contact us at mphteamone@gmail.com
Barassi A, Pezzilli R, Colpi GM, Corsi Romanelli MM, and
Melzi d'Eril GV. Vitamin D and erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med
2014;11:2792–2800
Registered Dietitians of Canada. (2014). Food Sources of
Vitamins. Retrieved from : http://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Vitamins.aspx
Brain Blogger (2014). Vitamin B12 deficiency and its
Neurological Consequences. Retrieved from: http://brainblogger.com/2014/07/30/vitamin-b12-deficiency-and-its-neurological-consequences/
Walters, S. (2008). The Most Essential Nutrients for a
Strong Sex Drive. Retrieved from: http://www.naturalnews.com/023361_nutrients_body_life.html
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