While a great deal of attention is often paid to the impact a man's mental and physical wellbeing has on his sexual health, there's also some indication that proper diet can play a role in sexual fitness. The idea behind diet and sexuality involves your vascular health. If your arteries are healthy, the same can be said about your sexual fitness. This means that many of the dietary recommendations for heart health may lead to an improvement in sexual health as well.
Diet
According to the authors Robert Fried and Lynn Edlen-Nezin in the book "Great Food, Great Sex", a diet that improves the health of your heart can often lead to an improved sexual health. Diets should be low in salt, dietary cholesterol and saturated fat while rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Protein should come from lean cuts of meat, poultry, seafood or legumes as well as other meat substitutes, such as tofu, tempeh or soy. Low-fat dairy and unsaturated oils are also recommended.
Benefits
The benefits of such a diet can lead to healthier blood vessels. When blood vessels are kept in good condition, your blood circulation remains at an optimal level, which is said to aid in erectile function. If arterial walls harden or narrow due to the accumulation of fatty deposits, it doesn't just affect those blood vessels nearest the heart. It can also have an impact on those feeding blood to the penis, reducing the chances of an erection.
Features
One of the main features to such a diet involves an increased consumption of foods high in antioxidants. Antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, selenium and vitamins A, C and E, help to protect your cells from the damage of free radicals. When free radicals are left to run rampant in the body, cells can begin to abnormally function, which may lead vascular problems. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain a multitude of antioxidants as well as other nutrients that can impact sexual health.
Considerations
Besides a heart healthy diet, there's also some indication that certain minerals and amino acids may help to improve your sexual health. According to the Mayo Clinic, a zinc deficiency can lead to erectile dysfunction in some men. By increasing this mineral in your diet, you can counteract this effect. Foods that are considered high in zinc include seafood, poultry, lean beef, bran, nuts, dairy, avocado, banana, spinach, cucumber, sweet potato, cauliflower and legumes.
With amino acids, the most important is that of l-arginine. This substance actually helps to dilate the blood vessels, improving blood flow. Great sources of l-arginine are typically protein-based, such as nuts, beef, pork, poultry, seafood and legumes. You can also find this amino acid occurring naturally in oats and wheat.
Misconceptions
Though you can find both zinc and l-arginine in supplement form, you should strive to increase levels through your diet. Supplementing with pills can lead to unhealthy levels in the body, increasing your risk of nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, lowered blood pressure and lowered immune response. Talk to your doctor before using any type of supplement to improve not only your sexual health but your overall health as well.
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