There are many things we need to think about when it comes to maintaining good health, and sometimes we lose track of one area of our health while obsessing with another. Like when you focus on a new weight-loss regimen – even one based solely on diet – and months go by before you suddenly realize you've neglected your oral hygiene or your energy level has taken a dip. A real wakeup call is when you notice weeks have gone by since you have been intimate with your loved one; your sex drive is lacking the sizzle. For most guys, the first thought that comes to mind when they notice a waned libido is that their testosterone levels might be down, when in fact that might not be the case at all. A number of lifestyle factors could be at play here (when you and your spouse aren't), but it's also quite likely that what you are eating and supplementing with is missing the mark. It's a similar deal for men and women; what we eat and how we supplement our bodies can have a direct bearing on our sexual drive and, yes, performance.
It Might Be Only Physiological
If you are low on libido, aka sex drive, and want to do something about it, it's best that you start with a discussion with your personal physician before diving into any diet changes or new supplement regimens. Play it safe – to be sure you don't start eating or ingesting something that could be a problem for you if you have an underlying health condition. While factors such as stress and/or poor sleep habits can interfere with your sex drive, it could be something physiological such as reduced blood flow or a vitamin deficiency that is hindering you, and which could be solved without need for prescription drugs. For example, potassium, such as that found in bananas or available by supplement, is considered a nutrient able to optimize muscle contraction, a key factor in good quality sex, per redbookmag.com.Food and Supplements that Can Boost Sex Drive
Just a reminder, before devising a new diet or vitamin and supplement routine to improve a perceived flagging sex drive, be sure to talk this over with your physician or other healthcare professional to help guide you to making good choices. Following is an alphabetized list of some foods and supplements that might help you in this regard:- Fenugreek. An herb often associated with alternative medicine, fenugreek contains compounds that can bolster libido and sexual function.
- Garlic. It is loaded with allicin, an active compound, per redbookmag.com, that enhances blood circulation, potentially contributing to stronger erections and bolstered bedroom endurance.
- Gingko biloba. A staple of traditional Chinese medicine, gingko biloba has been shown to ramp up blood levels of nitric oxide, promoting the expansion of blood vessels that can help counter erectile dysfunction and low libido, per healthline.com.
- Horny Goat Weed. An herb, it is yet another supplement that can influence blood flow for the better, potentially helping with erectile function.
- Iron. Per webmd.com, at least one study has shown that women put on an iron regimen showed improvement in terms of desire, arousal, lubrication, and ability to have an orgasm.
- L-arginine. This amino acid, a building block for protein, turns into nitric oxide once inside your body, which causes blood vessels to dilate, helping with sex-related issues such as erectile dysfunction.
- Maca. Readily available in supplement form, maca is a root vegetable believed capable of boosting fertility and sex drive. Per healthline.com, a 12-week study revealed that 42 percent of men given 1,500-3,000 milligrams every day experienced an increased sex drive
- Niacin. This B vitamin has been shown to bolster your good cholesterol level and work against erectile dysfunction.
- Oysters. These often come up in discussion when the talk turns to libido, as well they should. Per redbookmag.com, oysters have an abundance of two amino acids that have shown to increase sex hormones in men and women,
- Pumpkin seeds. These are abundant in zinc. Why does that matter? Because zinc has been shown to boost testosterone naturally, which is good for women as well as men. Yes, women have testosterone in their bodies, with studies indicating that women with elevated-levels have a greater sex drive, per redbookmag.com.
- Sweet basil. This is an herb also available as an essential oil, with claims that its aroma can boost a man's sexual desire. Per redbookmag.com, medieval prostitutes often dabbed basil oil behind their ears to assist in the seduction of their male clients.
- Tribulus. A limited study cited at webmd.com showed that women with a low sexual desire disorder, given 7.5 milligrams of Tribulus terrestris daily for four weeks, reported enhanced sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction, as well as reduced pain during sex.