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The Love Code

 - Enhanced Sexual Desire and Intimacy -

Words by Ian Roothman, BSc (Biochem)(Phys), MCSD. Owner The Nutrition Lab Brand - MAT-Rx.com Nutrition Systems www.mat-rx.com Ó 2004, Ian Roothman Enterprises. Printed by permission.

 

Enhanced sexual desire and intimacy is of paramount importance to many people, it is for this reason that the so-called aphrodisiac drugs or products have been so popular for centuries. There are many hormonal and psychological factors involved in this cascade of biochemical reactions to eventually ensure that we experience a fulfilling and enjoyable sexual life. However, we need to follow certain basic nutritional principles that will optimize our potential for a happy sex life. These important nutrients will support the biochemical processes involved in enhancing desire, intimacy and mood.

Sex-enhancing Supplements

Sex-enhancing supplements for women (and men) are sold throughout countries in the world. However, the question remains: Do these compounds really work? How effective are they really? Do they have any side effects that one should be concerned about?

Enhancing Genital Sensitivity

One of the major factors in having a fulfilling sexual experience is genital sensitivity. While free testosterone stimulates sex cell receptor sites in the brain, there are aging-induced changes in the genital regions of women (and men) that must also be corrected if a youthful libido is to be maintained or restored [visit www.mat-rx.com – The Nutrition Lab for more info on this topic].

- Sex Organ Stimulation

There are a few biochemical mechanisms involved in sex organ stimulation. It is well known that free testosterone is required to activate sex cell receptor sites in the brain.  For stimulation of sex cells in the genital area however, a naturally produced chemical is needed to relax blood vessels in a part of the human anatomy called the corpus cavernosum.

The corpus cavernosum is a spongy bundle of tiny nerves, surrounded and filled with blood vessels, and located in the clitoris (and penis) that transmits endorphin-stimulating impulses to the brain. Penile erection and optimal sensation mandates proper function of the corpus cavernosum in men, and for women, the ability to enjoy sex and achieve orgasm is often dependent on clitoral corpus cavernosum activity.

The corpus cavernosum becomes active when it becomes engorged with blood during periods of sexual excitement, and its stimulation is dependent on the relaxation of genital muscles during sexual arousal. Nitric oxide and its metabolite cyclic GMP are the two dominant biochemical compounds that induce genital muscle relaxation, and subsequently increased blood flow to the sexually sensitive corpus cavernosum.

- Nitric Oxide and Arginine

Arginine is an amino acid that promotes natural nitric oxide production in the body. By enhancing nitric oxide and subsequent cyclic GMP synthesis, arginine enlarges blood vessels in the corpus cavernosum that can lead to enhanced clitoral sensation (and penile erection in men). Arginine is given to prize race horses at stud to improve the frequency of their sexual encounters, and to improve the quality of their sperm (Arginine is one of the most popular supplements in sports nutrition products to enhance the performance of athletes).

Arginine works like the prescription drug Viagra, to boost cyclic GMP levels. Arginine causes the production of nitric oxide that leads to increased levels of cyclic GMP. It has been shown that the longer that cyclic GMP levels are maintained, the better the chance of achieving and maintaining clitoral sensitivity in women (and an erection in men).

But, as you can see, arginine is not just for men. The nitric oxide produced from arginine improves vaginal circulation in women and has been shown to stimulate the perivascular nerves in the genital area involved in sexual arousal. Arginine is recommended as a libido-enhancing supplement by scientists and doctors who are familiar with this amino acid's ability to stimulate nitric oxide synthesis. The dose of arginine needed to enhance sexual function has been estimated to be between 6 - 10 grams a day. There are a variety of arginine supplements available. One practical approach would be to take three to four 1,000-mg capsules of arginine, three times a day. Others have reported that taking a large dose of arginine an hour before an anticipated sexual encounter produces a significant effect.

 - The Importance of the micronutrient Zinc

Adequate zinc levels are essential for hormonal activity and reproductive health, as well as for normal, physiological and psychological function in both men and women. In women, Zinc plays a vital role in the production of sex hormones and in men, Zinc deficiency substantially reduces testosterone levels, sperm production and muscle endurance. (Research suggests that zinc deficiency may also reduce the life span of ejaculated sperm). Without these vital sexual compounds and hormones our feelings of desire and the need for intimacy will diminish into nothingness.

While zinc deficiency is prevalent throughout the world, clinical evaluation of mild deficiency is uncertain. In a 1994 study, it raised suspicions that mild zinc deficiency is common among the elderly. Scientists further noted that the effects of zinc deficiency impaired liver metabolism and increased binding of sex hormones, resulting in lowered free testosterone levels which play an important part in sexual desire and fulfillment in women (and men). They conclude that such zinc deficiency plays a pathogenic role in loss of libido, reproductive and sexual dysfunction. Due to overwhelming scientific evidence and the widespread prevalence of zinc deficiency worldwide, Zinc supplementation of 30 -60mg daily is recommended.

A Desirable Conclusion

It is in human nature to want to have a successful relationship and experience fulfilling sexual encounters with the one you love. There is however factors that you may not always be aware of that might jeopardize everything for you. Taking care of your nutrition is probably one of the most important factors to experience enhanced desire and intimacy. In fact, if you lack in this area your body will simply not have the capability to support the processes that is crucial for optimum sexual function and all your other efforts to boosts your sex life will be in vain. There is also ample evidence that there are natural ways of enhancing the sexual experience. So, the conclusion of desire and intimacy iterates to one simple mantra: eat healthy, exercise often, supplement correctly and follow a sensible nutrition plan and your body will respond positively to your efforts and you will experience a wonderful, fulfilling sexual life.

References

Mitchell WA, Meng I, Nicholson SA, Aspinall R. Thymic output, aging and zinc. Biogerontology. 2006 Sep 9; [Epub ahead of print]

Salgueiro MJ, Weill R, Zubillaga M, et al. Zinc deficiency and growth: current concepts in relationship to two important points: intellectual and sexual development. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2004;99(1-3):49-69.

Wagner PA, Bailey LB, Christakis GJ, Dinning JS. Serum Zinc concentrations in adolescents as related to sexual maturation. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr. 1985 Nov;39(6):459-62.

Gibson RS, Heath AL, Ferguson EL. Risk of suboptimal iron and zinc nutriture among adolescent girls in Australia and New Zealand: causes, consequences, and solutions. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2002;11 Suppl 3S543-52.

Golub MS, Takeuchi PT, Keen CL, Hendrickx AG, Gershwin ME. Activity and attention in zinc-deprived adolescent monkeys. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996 Dec;64(6):908-15.

Hyndman et al. Interaction of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and tetrahydrobiopterin on endothelial function. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 282:H2167-72 (2002).

Hein et al. Ischemia-reperfusion selectively impairs nitric oxide-mediated dilation in coronary arterioles: counteracting role of arginase. FASEB J 2003;17(15):2328-30.

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