Libido: Sexy Nutrients, Sexy Foods

REFERENCE
Libido: Sexy Nutrients, Sexy Foods
B y Pe g g y Ko t s o p o u l o s
Low libido is the most common sexual issue among women and
men. And yet healthy, regular sex is essential for optimal health—and
for your relationship with your partner. Not only does it increase
your emotional connection, but regular romps can also boost your
immune system and defend against colds!
Additionally, frequent sex can also boost cardiovascular health, lower
blood pressure, and cut the risk of heart attacks for men. Men that
have frequent ejaculations may significantly reduce their risk of
prostate cancer.
Got a headache? Sex can help that too! Having sex may actually help
alleviate the pain – the same goes for joint pain, muscle pain and PMS.
Basically, as endorphins are increased, our levels of pain decrease. It’s
a win-win.
NUTRIENT
BENEFITS
FOOD SOURCES
ZIN C
Zinc is one of the most important testosteroneboosting nutrients. It is essential for testosterone
production (which boosts libido) and sperm
production. It also blocks the enzyme that converts
testosterone into estrogen.
• Wheat germ
Low levels of zinc correlate to erectile and sexual
dysfunction.
• Raw chocolate
• Sesame seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Crimini mushrooms
• Spinach
• Miso
• Maple syrup
T Y ROSIN E
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Tyrosine is an amino acid that acts as a precursor to
dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible
for pleasure and arousal. It’s the core of our sexual
drive and motivation. It stimulates our reward center,
guilty pleasures and desires, including the pleasure/
reward associated with sex.
• Chlorella
Low levels of dopamine can weaken our desire to have
sex. Foods high in the amino tyrosine can help boost
dopamine levels, and, as a result—sex drive!
• Bananas
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• Sea veggies
• Oats
• Almonds
• Lima beans
• Avocados
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds
O M EGA-3
L-ARG ININ E
There is a direct correlation between high cholesterol
and erectile dysfunction.
• SaviSeeds
Omega-3 helps lower cholesterol and blood
triglyceride levels helping to get blood flowing to your
genitals. In women, an increase in genital blood flow
induces vaginal swelling and spurs the lubrication
process. In men, blood vessels in the penis dilate, fill
with blood and cause an erection.
• Hemp seeds
This is an essential amino acid that stimulates the
release of nitric oxide from the walls of blood vessels,
dilating the blood vessels and improving blood flow.
It acts similarly to Viagra.
• Walnuts
• Chia seeds
• Flax seeds
• Walnuts
• Chlorella
• Hazelnuts
• Kidney beans
• Garlic
• Onion
V ITAMIN B3
V ITAMIN B6
Niacin helps enlarge blood vessels and produce sex
hormones. It’s required for histamine production,
which is absolutely necessary for orgasm.
• Mushrooms
(crimini and shiitake)
It also improves blood flow, especially to extremities,
increases the skin’s sensitivity to touch, and produces
that “sexual flush,” making the whole experience
much more pleasurable.
• Bell peppers
Helps with the conversion of neurotransmitters
and increases blood flow, meaning it can help boost
dopamine levels, transitioning you from disinterested
damsel to purring sex-kitten.
• Potatoes
• Asparagus
• Tomatoes
• Summer squash
• Spelt
• Sunflower seeds
• Spinach
• Turnip greens
• Summer squash
• Bell peppers
V ITAMIN E
Vitamin E aids in the production of sex hormones,
supplies the genitals with oxygen and protects against
free radical damage, keeping your sex organs in tiptop shape.
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Olives
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard
• Asparagus
SELENIU M
Selenium is a mineral essential for a man’s sex drive
and sperm production. Half the selenium in a man’s
body is found in his testicles.
So if you want your boys to be pumped (literally)
nosh on some selenium rich foods (just 1-2 brazil nuts
provides this)
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• Brazil nuts
• Crimini mushrooms
• Mustard seeds
• Barley
• Oats
About Peggy
Peggy Kotsopoulos is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Culinary Consultant focused on teaching real health
through lifestyle and dietary choices that are easy and delicious. She is the host of Peggy K’s Kitchen Cures on Veria
Network, author of Kitchen Cures (Penguin/Random House 2013) and Must Have been Something I Ate; nutritional
correspondent on CBC/ABC’s Steven and Chris Show; spokesperson for Vega; and is an Advisory Board Member for
Veria Television Network.
She has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBC’s The Talk, Martha Stewart Morning Living, CBC news, CTV news,
CityTV news, CosmoTV and Virgin Radio. She also writes for and has been featured in various publications including
Shape Magazine, AccessHollywood.com, Fitness Magazine, Today’s Parent Magazine, Yahoo!Shine, LIVESTRONG,
Redbook Magazine, Health Magazine, Alive and Chatelaine.
Peggy obtained her RHN designation from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, completed her Health Educator
Certification from Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach Florida, graduated from Living Light Culinary
Arts Institute in California, obtained her Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and is the founder of
beVibrant wellness consultancy.
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For more Thriving check out
Brendan’s Thrive Trilogy of books.
Thrive Foods, Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide, and Thrive Fitness
(In Canada: Whole Foods to Thrive, Thrive Diet, and Thrive Fitness)
USA: Da Capo Press | Canada: Pengiun