Sex is good for you … physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is a clear link between satisfaction with sex life and psychological tests, with females in particular experiencing a strong association between adequate sexual function and overall wellbeing.

However La Trobe University’s Australian Study of Health and Relationships, published in 2003 showed that a large percentage of women are experiencing very real problems in their most intimate relationships. This study showed that…
55% of women lack sexual interest/desire
29% of women are unable to achieve orgasm
20% of women experience pain during intercourse
71% of women have one or more of the above problems

So women are doing poorly in the sexual function department, but so are men, and this is confirmed by Viagra becoming the most-prescribed drug ever, with a prescription reportedly written every 4 seconds. But sexual health, like mental health, is often put into a totally separate category, when in fact neither can be separated from overall, general health, and the same basic principles apply no matter what function you’re trying to improve. And those principles are simple – supply the body with an abundance of all the basic building blocks such as vitamins, minerals and so on, and remove all the potentially harmful factors.

Now when you’re thinking about your genitals and how they work, or don’t work, about how they respond or don’t respond, you often forget, that all the hormones, the neurotransmitters, and the endorphins that switch on your desire, and are responsible for sexual arousal and optimal sexual function, depend on an adequate supply of vitamins, minerals, amino and essential, fatty acids and those building blocks come from, or have precursors in, the food that you put into your mouth. Unfortunately, most modern diets are unlikely to supply an adequate complement of all those building blocks.

Then your nutritional status may be further compromised by a diet that contains too many carbohydrates and too little protein. And that’s most modern diets – which are high in grains - bread, cereals, pasta, rice, pastries, cakes, biscuits and so on. However when you eat the appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrate and fat, you get a host of good things happening. These include … normal appetite, fat burning, emotional stability, mental clarity, improved athletic performance, greater physical endurance and more energy - in other words – a lot of things that can contribute to enhanced levels of desire and better sexual function.

Then there are numerous lifestyle, and environmental factors, that alone, or combined, are potentially detrimental to optimal health and sexual function. These include alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine or other drugs and the chemical or heavy metal pollution that can come from the workplace or even from your kitchen, laundry or bathroom cupboards. Electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, computer screens, video games, electric blankets, water beds, high voltage power lines and cosmic radiation (flying) can also contribute to compromised health and sexual function, so the idea is to reduce your exposure to as many of these factors as possible.

But even with the most rigorous efforts to steer clear of all these things, you also need to get rid of accumulated toxicity. Because, just like landfill sites that become overloaded and wreak havoc in the environment, your body can become a toxic waste dump and wreak havoc with your health. For example, accumulated toxicity will trigger biochemical processes that tell your body to store fat. And unfortunately being overweight, with the poor body image that may accompany it, can be a real deterrent to sexual activity. Good detoxification processes require an abundance of essential nutrients and plenty of purified water (at least 2 litres a day). Of course, drinking plenty of water will also ensure that blood volume is adequate, and able to meet the demands of sexual arousal.

Another contributing factor to healthy ageing and optimal sexual function is the amount of muscle in your body. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the amount of muscle in your body is the No 1 biomarker for vitality and longevity. Muscle is actually a very important organ – it’s as important as your heart, your liver and your kidneys. It is like the engine that powers your car. But without a conscious effort to maintain muscle mass, you lose it at the rate of 3kg per decade from the time you’re in your early 20s and the loss accelerates after age 45. As muscle is lost, fat levels increase. Reduced muscle mass also means poor blood glucose control, with the potential for mood swings and emotional instability. Reduced muscle mass also means compromised mobility. You can see again, how this may translate into reduced ability to anticipate and participate in an active sex life. But the good news is – it’s possible to build muscle in any decade – just get out there and do some weight building exercise.

Another factor that falls into the category of physical/structural stress - is lack of touch. Touch is vitally important throughout our lives, yet generally given very little attention in Western society. The sense of touch is the first of our senses to develop and also the most fundamental. Of course, this offers you and your partner a wonderful opportunity to connect at a very intimate level by giving and receiving a massage, by stroking, holding, caressing and cuddling, and remember that this physical contact does not always have to lead to sex, but has a very real place not only in enhancing total wellbeing but in keeping intimacy alive.

Then finally we come to stress … with high stress levels compromising all aspects of your health, and in particular your sexual function. Effective stress management involves reducing the actual stress levels, while at the same time, improving the means by which your body copes with stress. To cope better you need good nutrition, a program of regular exercise, meditation or other type of relaxation practise, time for family and leisure pursuits, and ‘time-out’ to nurture yourself. So … as a regular part of your life … massage or other body work, or a spa-type treatment, such as a bath with essential oils … easily done at home … and not only a great way to reduce stress, but another wonderful way to initiate and maintain intimacy. Then of course, regular, restful sleep helps you cope better with stress and sex itself is one of the most effective de-stressors of all. That’s just one of the reasons why it needs to be a regular part of your life. But remember, enjoying more sex and more sleep should not be mutually exclusive!

Your state of mind also has a profound effect not only on your ability to enjoy a satisfying sex life, but also on your long term, good health and vitality. And the best way to nurture your emotional state or what some people refer to as your ‘energetic anatomy’ is to love your life, and to let go of all the hurts and unhappiness from your past. You further nurture your energetic anatomy by accepting your life as it comes and responding to change as a positive force, and of course that includes accepting ageing. Accept it with grace, revel in your acquired wisdom, enjoy the ‘crone’ stage of your life and explore your sexuality in new ways, rather than resisting or resenting the passing of youth. This is a further recipe for health, vitality and ongoing, satisfying sexual relationships.

Now, of course not everyone has the blessing of a loved and loving partner. But being alone does not mean foregoing the pleasure of orgasms, so if you are on your own, you should enjoy them regularly. Not only for the benefits of the hormones and the endorphins, but simply to keep you body aware of what it feels like to enjoy sex, because you just never know what the future might bring in the way of a new relationship.

However, whether you’re with a partner, or on your own, you can enjoy easier arousal, enhanced levels of desire and heightened pleasure with all natural products. The new Viamax range from Sweden delivers more pleasure for both you and your partner with an exceptional range of libido-enhancing, arousing and lubricating products!


So let’s review some of the things that can help to restore, or maintain your vitality and your sex drive …
Eat more protein
Eat fewer grains, more green vegies
Eat good oils (e.g. olive)
Take nutritional supplements
Drink more water, less caffeine and alcohol
Enjoy regular massage or other bodywork
Build muscle
Get more sleep
LOVE YOUR LIFE!
Enjoy more SEX – try the Viamax range


So there you have them … ten very simple steps that can have an enormously positive impact on keeping both you and your intimate relationships alive and well for your lifetime! There is no doubt, that with the right actions and attitude it’s possible for you to enjoy optimal physical, mental AND sexual health throughout your mature years.