 |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
January 12th, 2012
07:46 AM ET
Going with the flow for great sexIan Kerner, a sexuality counselor and New York Times best-selling author, blogs about sex on Thursdays on The Chart. Read more from him on his website, GoodInBed.
This concept was brought home to me recently when I caught up with my colleague, Dr. Madeleine Castellanos, author of a recent book dealing with male sexual issues. She reminded me that there’s no way we can talk about sexual issues like erectile dysfunction (ED) or other arousal disorders without talking about cardiovascular health. "When you break it all down, everything in the body, including sex, is dependent on good blood flow," says Castellanos. "Our body's way of nourishing itself and keeping itself vibrant and alive is by carrying oxygen, hormones, and nutrients via the bloodstream to all tissues and cells. The more activity that a certain part of our body engages in, the more blood flow is directed to that area." Good blood flow also affects our biggest sex organ - the brain - by ensuring proper flow of hormone signals back and forth from the brain to the genitals. Often, a sexual issue like ED is the first sign that blood flow is impaired throughout the body, and a trip to the doctor’s office for a Viagra prescription could end with a diagnosis of atherosclerosis or another serious cardiovascular problem. A recent analysis of 12 previous studies, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that men with ED are significantly more likely to have cardiovascular disease. So how can you keep blood flowing optimally? Dr. Castellanos recommends addressing these three areas: Arteries. When arteries become clogged, or 'hardened,' due to atherosclerosis, they can’t respond as well to the hormonal signals that occur during sexual arousal. As a result, “there may not be enough increase in blood flow to engorge the erectile tissues in either men or women,” says Castellanos. Eat a balanced diet low in sugars (including fructose and high-fructose corn syrup), trans fats, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and salt to keep arteries in good shape. For more on eating for a healthy sex life, see my previous column on the topic. Nerves. If your nerves aren’t working properly, you lose sensation and your body - including your genitals - doesn’t respond as well as it should. Diabetes and elevated blood sugar are the biggest threats to nerve damage, so keep blood sugar under control, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and limiting alcohol intake. Tissues. Just as the advice 'move it or lose it' applies to our muscles, it also applies to sex. "If you want to have good blood flow to your genitals," explains Castellanos, "you need to keep using them." In fact, people who have sex at least once a week are more likely to retain good sexual function as they get older. If you’re following the steps above but want to do more to encourage proper blood flow, consider this: Your body depends on the molecule nitric oxide to keep blood vessels healthy and relaxed so that blood can flow through them. "If you want more nitric oxide, you need more of the amino acid L-arginine," says Dr. Elizabeth Owings, a Missouri-based physician who is passionate about the benefits of L-arginine. Viagra and other members of a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors also influence nitric oxide - but they only enhance its effects. On the other hand, L-arginine helps your body produce more nitric acid, improving blood flow all over. L-arginine is naturally found in protein-rich foods such as peanuts and walnuts, meats, seafood and legumes such as soybean and chickpeas, but you may need a supplement to give your sex life that extra boost. Although more research is needed, some evidence suggests that supplemental L-arginine may have sexual benefits for both men and women. A 1999 study of men with ED found that those who took L-arginine for six weeks had greater improvement in symptoms than those who didn’t take this supplement. And a 2002 study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior showed that women who took a combination of L-arginine and the herb yohimbine experienced more signs of sexual arousal while watching an erotic film than those who took a placebo. Dr. Owings recommends that healthy people try taking 5 grams of L-arginine a day and points out that this supplement appears to lack the side effects associated with PDE inhibitors, including visual disturbances and hearing problems. That said, some research does suggest that L-arginine isn’t a good idea for people with liver or kidney failure or cancer. As always, it's best to talk to your doctor before taking any type of supplement. It may seem difficult, but sharing your concerns with a professional can help open an honest conversation about sex, and about health in general - and that's always a good thing.
Next entry »Red wine researcher said to falsify data
« Previous entryTri Challenge: Reinventing my world
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
 |
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
When you hear the words 'heart' and 'sex life' in the same sentence, odds are the speaker is probably talking about love. But your heart - or, more accurately, your cardiovascular system - actually has a lot to do with your ability to perform in the bedroom.
Respectfully, from where did Dr Owings pull the recommendation for 5 gm of L-arginine? I'm a physician, and think it is his opinion, rather than medical advice. Shame on him. My advice is work up to walking 40 min twice daily, and eat a generally health diet, and watch cartoons at least one hour a week....
Walk 40 minutes a day? Setting the bar a little low aren't you?
He said "40 minutes twice daily." Perhaps you might brush up on your reading skills.
James, he is setting the bar low, but that's because studies have shown that about 30 minutes of walking is enough to make a big difference for hearts. He said "at least", and more is of course better. But he did indeed set the bar low, because that's where the bar is.
Sarah Palin believes that a golden shower is something you get at a jewelry store.
"Sarah Palin" Who?
she looks great in pearls
at taxpayer expense.
I will give her a golden shower tax free
Ill even throw in a pearl necklace and a pink sock
I jump up and down on my wife for exercise. Good cardio and a great view!
You need to do this TWICE a day...
I give my neighbors' doctors' and lawyers' wives some great cardio. They are the easiest. They only married for the money!!! Hahahahahahahaahaha.
sure you do.......watch out for the last laugh
"Eat a balanced diet low in sugars (including fructose and high-fructose corn syrup), trans fats, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and salt to keep arteries in good shape."
Impossible to do in America. Everything is loaded with HFCS, trans fats, and sodium.
Agree, but disagree. You just have to read labels and buy fresh, unprocessed foods. Yeah, you spend a little more, but you can't put price on your health or your B0ner!
Ed has it right. I eliminated HCFS, all white foods and alcohol 5 months ago. That leaves fish, fowl, meat and dark vegetables. I have lost 30 pounds without reducing how much I eat. I snack on sugar free yogurt, cheese and nuts, but try to limit this. Of course, this diet is only possible if you do not go to any restaurants.
So stop eating processed foods then.
Being healthy doesn't guarantee good sex. Just erections.
What are you, Charles Schwab? A healthy diet and exercise doesn't guarantee a long life, either.
Actually getting a good chiropractic adjustment to the lower back will increase nerve and blood flow as well!
Actually sleazy massage parlors will do the trick!
Make sure you dont write a check for more than your credit limit and also look at what the rate goes to after the intro rate. Also some have a unrpoft fee of say 3 percent of the cash advance
Ahhhh....just have that pump thing installed. What a old lady attention getter at the beach. I'm a hit to serve!
MILLIONS TO BE ASSASSINATED FOR THE SAKE OF $$$ LIABILITIES(mk-ultra, chip implants, electroshocks etc. performed on them) AND NEW WORLD ORDER(multiculturalism = terrorism) POLITICAL AGENDA KNOWN AS "YOU ARE NEXT"(financial liabilities are 2 expensive for the government and it is cheaper to get read of you instead) !!! IF YOU WERE TREATED WITH ELECTROSHOCKS OR DRUGS USED FOR WIPING OUT MEMORY(numerous Americans and Europeans were and are) AFTER ENDURING FORCED CHIP IMPLANTS(or to retard individual = also how homeless people are produced), YOU ARE SCHEDULED NEXT !!!
NOW YOU KNOW WHAT ORWELLIAN UNITED STATES CONGRESS(USSR#2 which consists of lawyers or what are liars and physicians...lawyers, so crime per physicians can get away with it) AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS WORLDWIDE ARE SOOO BUSY WITH WHEN PLAYING/CLOWNING(acting) IN FRONT OF CAMERAS ONLY HOW SOMETHING HAVE TO BE DONE(deliberately omitting/delaying facts of genocide as seen on this complain) !!!
http://myshortbiography.blogspot.com/
LEARN TRUTH ABOUT UNITED NATIONS, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AS WELL AS NEW WORLD ORDER(MULTICULTURALISM = TERRORISM) GOVERNMENTS(Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) !!! NOT THERE TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS, BUT TO DENY YOUR RIGHT TO EXISTENCE !!!
ABDUCTIONS / FORCED BRAIN ELECTRODE/CHIP IMPLANTS / BLACKLISTING / FORCEFUL UNEMPLOYMENT / MK-ULTRA BRAINWASHING AGAINST WHITE(under "NAZI" lie) CIVILIAN POPULATION TODAY IN 2011/2012 ACROSS THE EUROPE AND NORTHERN AMERICA !!!
http://myshortbiography.blogspot.com/
WHY TO ACCEPT LIABILITIES FOR CRIMES COMMITTED WHEN WE CAN SIMPLY ASSASSINATE OUR VICTIMS(YOU) THANKS TO HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND FREE PRESS/MEDIA(most severe censorship of genocide ever !!!)!!
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xGfYOAydjw&w=640&h=360]
OR
http://www.youtube.com/user/BostjanAvsec OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE RECORDED LIVE IN 2009 !!! EXILING WHITES(US citizens) WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE AND IMPORTING NON WHITES IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FREE !!!
Got yer tin foil hat on today?
A little research will tell you that this kind of delusion is common with schizophrenia; the interference in your head is the other lobe of your brain talking out of turn. This can make you hear voices or feel you are being controlled by outside forces, and the fact that it comes from your own physical brain doesn't mean it is benign; suicidal impulses and uncontrolled anger can come out with a childish lack of control. Find a doctor you can trust and talk to him about dopamine antagonists and how they work, and see if you can get something that will get you back in control. I'm serious for once and not trying to insult you, but the 'tin foil hat' crack will remind you again that this is a common problem and that people have over and over tried to insulate their heads from what they think is outside interference.
I've really enjoyed having a look around your blog today, keep up the good work!
Thank for sharing .
caverta
Don't you think that we, as Americans, need to stop being so concerned with sex?
I'm sorry, what? That's just crazy
No.
Negative, sky captain.
no, but we do need to stop worrying about how OTHER people enjoy s ex
GET A LIFE A REAL ONE
Instead of sex I'd rather go to the gym, that way I'm away from my wife.
I prefer working in the garage, but I'm right there with you.
I suppose you two already have an assistant...
This article is bs. I would have great sex if my wife looked like that cute girl who gives samples in the food court, or the hot one at starbucks. Looking at them never fails to get me in the mood.
sorry your too ugly to get the cute girl
The #1 cause of ED is trying to get it up for a naggy, saggy old battleaxe who calls herself a "cougar" and hasn't touched a treadmill in a decade. Find yourself a nice young twenty-something lady with daddy issues and you're good to go. Lance Corporal is clearly one of the women.
happiness and ecstacy to all
Great!
It is all fine and good....lucky those of us who have no problem with cardio vascular stuff and enjoy sex fully. But those of you, who have to rely on diets that include oysters, shrimp, chilies and all those good foods thought to be aphrodisiacs, plus a few of the blue pills every now and then...Let me add, just in case it bypassed you, that the best way for the bird to ake flight is a 15 minute blow. Or less depending on the bird's weight...
dang it isn't bad enough having some minimum wage mall job a girl has to put up with creepy older guys harassing her. yuck
Don't be mean. Creepy older guys need love, too.
Ask not what your country can do for you but,what can you do for your country.
I like money and I like sex.Just be honest.
OK! I'll be honest I like money and as far as sex goes well my wife and I hadn't had sex in 45 years. Only had sex once and that was the last time. I just wasn't important, ment nothing, was messy and disgusting. I swore never again
Arginine when taken orally also helps prevents tooth decay. this is because arginine is basic and helps reduce oral acids. ^
My current blog page
http://www.healthmedicinelab.com/sore-throat-remedies/
Nitric oxide is a gas naturally found in the body; its function is conveying information between cells. One of its main jobs is increasing blood flow by dilating blood vessels, and that's why it's sometimes given in supplement form to heart patients, orally and intravenously. In at least one study it's been shown to be effective for lowering blood pressure.,;'`
Please do inspect our favorite webpage
<http://www.healthdigest101.com/
Protein is a macro nutrient composed of amino acids that is necessary for the proper growth and function of the human body. While the body can manufacture several amino acids required for protein production, a set of essential amino acids needs to be obtained from animal and/or vegetable protein sources. Animal protein sources contain the complete set of essential amino acids, while all the essential amino acids can be obtained by eating a wide variety of plant foods. ^.*"
Please do find out about our favorite homepage <http://healthfitnessbook.com/
ooh yes wath a nice health tips.
モンクレール激安通販店‐‐新品登場
弊社は世界最高級コピーブランドダウン専門店です。
主にファッションの外観があるモンクレールと
実用性が抜群なザノースフェイスを通販しております。
業界に最高品質のモンクレール ダウン レディースを提供しております。
本物と見分けがつかないぐらい、完璧なモンクレール激安を経営しております。
モンクレール ダウンの品質は保証しております。
ブランド商店-賢者の買物
弊社は各ランクのブランド商品満載し、ブランド通販店で一番信用のある店なので!。
品質はこちらが間違いなく保証します。
相互信頼を旨（むね）として貿易関係を結びたいのですが。
今後ともよろしくご愛顧くださいますよう、お願い申し上げます
URL:
https://www.88kopi.com/product/product-5734.html
■取扱ブランド ルイ.ヴィトン、シャネル、クリスチャン ディオール、グッチ、コーチ、ROEXL 、S品、A品、超A品
■主要取扱商品 バッグ、財布、腕時計、靴、服、ベルト、ネクタイ、ライタ！
お取り引きを開始させていただきたく思います。
詳細に関してはどうぞお気軽にご連絡ください。
https://www.88kopi.com/product/product-6015.html