Like reproductive, immune and other functions, sexual function has become a victim of those same diet, lifestyle and environmental factors that are adversely affecting overall wellbeing. Yet 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 and trace elements and remove all the potentially harmful factors.

But before we get specific about those helpful and harmful factors it’s worth considering performance in the sexual function department… and 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. Fortunately, the good news is … there are lots of things that you can do to restore it. And it’s important to restore it, because … SEX IS REALLY GOOD FOR YOU!!

Modern diets compromise sex drive

Before we look at ways to restore libido, we need to consider the factors that are involved in its decline with number one culprit being the modern diet. When you’re thinking about your genitals and how they work, or don’t work, about how they respond or don’t respond, it’s easy to 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 start with the food that you put into your mouth. Unfortunately, most modern diets are unlikely to supply you with an adequate complement of all those building blocks.

Then your nutritional status is 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, MORE ENERGY - in other words – a lot of things that can contribute to enhanced levels of desire and better sexual function.

Lifestyle issues compromise sexual health

In addition, various lifestyle and environmental factors either alone, or in combination, are potentially detrimental to optimal health and sexual function, with reduced exposure to as many of these factors as possible giving you the best chance of healthy levels of sexual desire.

Alcohol
Cigarettes
Caffeine
Drugs (prescribed, OTC, recreational)
Home (kitchen, laundry, bathroom)
Workplace (photocopying, air conditioning, fluorescent lighting)
Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium)
Computers
Mobile phones
Video games
Electric blankets
Water beds
Fuse boxes
While steering clear of all the above to the best of your ability, 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 keep you fat. And unfortunately being fat, 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 your blood volume is adequate, and able to meet the demands of sexual arousal.

Regular exercise for healthy sexual appetite

You might be surprised to learn that the amount of muscle in your body is the number one 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 it, 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.

Another factor that compromises sexual health is lack of touch. Touch is vitally important throughout your life, yet generally given very little attention in Western society. The sense of touch is the first of your senses to develop and also the most fundamental. Of course, recognising the importance of touch 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.

Emotional stress – the passion killer

Finally we come to the ‘stress’ type of stress … with the ability to compromise all aspects of your health, with the potential for really catastrophic effects on your sex life. Stress management involves two approaches - reducing the actual stress levels and improving the means by which your body copes with stress. To cope better you need good nutrition (because stress causes nutrient losses), a program of regular exercise, meditation or other type of relaxation practice, 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!

Finally your state of mind 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 ‘wise woman/man’ 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.

So now, let’s just revisit some of the things that will help to restore, or maintain your vitality and your sex drive

Eat more protein
Eat fewer grains, more green vegies
Eat good oils
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 satisfying sex!

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