Sex is an activity that involves intense
physical and emotional elements, and its likely benefits do too. Sexual
intercourse may be a marker for a healthy heart because sex can be a
form of physical activity, which, like exercise, gives your heart a
workout.
The medical world is finding that
regular sex is so good for you that when you go to see a doctor they are
asking many questions about your sex life to give them an indication of
your overall health. Apparently sex is not only good for your heart; it
also keeps many diseases at bay.
For example, sex can actually cause you
to get fewer colds. Research has shown that couples who have sex weekly
have a 30 per cent increase in immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights
infection. Sex can also help women to have a more predictable period
schedule, as a result of being exposed to male pheromones.
In addition, having sex reduces stress –
for physiological as well as emotional reasons. Anything that will
reduce stress is good for you as too much stress can lead to many
diseases, including cancer. Sex activates a nerve that has a calming
effect. Having sex also lowers blood pressure, which reduces the risk of
heart disease.
Sex can even reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol!
These are the good health results that a good sex life can give you:
1. Fewer colds because of an increase in immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights infection.
2. Women can get more predictable periods because of exposure to male pheromones;
3. A better physical response to stress;
4. Lower blood pressure, which lowers your risk of heart disease;
5. It lowers your bad cholesterol and increases your good cholesterol
6. Helps tone your abs, gluts and pretty much any muscle in your body;
7. Naturally increases estrogen level which improves the appearance of your hair, skin and nails;
8. Improves your memory because blood flow increases to your brain;
9. Gives increased feelings of motivation because of the release of endorphins.
As you can see, a good sex life is one
way to stay happy, healthy and fit. So if your doctor starts grilling
you about your bedroom habits, now at least you will know why.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Sex has also been found to boost self-esteem and improve intimacy in
your relationship. This is because sex and orgasms result in increased
levels of the hormone oxytocin – the “love” hormone – that helps you
feel bonded to your partner.
As oxytocin increases, so do hormones
known as endorphins, which in turn lessen feelings of pain related to
everything from headaches and arthritis to symptoms of menopause. It can
also help you to get a better night’s sleep.
Further, for women, having sex can help
strengthen muscles of your pelvic floor (the same ones used to stop
urination). As you age, having strong pelvic floor muscles reduces your
risk of accidents.
Of course, these benefits are assuming
you’re having sex with a mutually monogamous partner – otherwise you
risk catching a sexually transmitted disease.
Sexual pleasure begins in your brain
Your brain and nervous system control
your sex glands and genitals, and this is why they also control your
sexual desire, as well as orgasms. This is why, for example, visual
images trigger sexual desire in both sexes.
Your brain stem also emits nerve
impulses that control erectile function. These nerve impulses navigate
through the erection centre of your spinal column to the erectile tissue
of your penis, where they trigger a chain reaction in the membranes of
your vascular muscle cells. This sophisticated chain reaction is
dependent on a messenger molecule called cyclic guanosine monophosphate,
or cGMP.
However, this works in reverse as well;
an erection softens as soon as another enzyme called phosphodiesterase
starts to degrade the cGMP molecules.
Drugs like Viagra, Levitra and Cialis
work by inhibiting phosphodiesterase, which may help maintain your
erection. But, these pills will not lead to an erection. Your initial
erection still has to be triggered psychologically. Without that initial
impetus, potency pills will have no effect whatsoever. This is also why
these pills are ineffective for many men who take them hoping for a
magic jack-in-the box effect.
As you might suspect, because your
sexuality is so intimately tied to your mind, anxiety, defensiveness,
fear, and failure of communication are all destructive psychological
forces that can take a heavy toll on your libido, whether you’re a man
or a woman. They are road blocks to desire so handle them.
Professor Gert Holstege with the
University of Groningen in the Nederlands, says, “Fear and anxiety need
to be avoided at all costs if a woman wishes to have an orgasm.”
How to improve sexual desire naturally
If you would like to take advantage of
some of the health benefits that regular sexual activity has to offer,
yet find that your desire just isn’t what it used to be, there are many
natural tips that can help.
Your sexual fires may also be fanned
simply by eating less sugar. High levels of sugar in your bloodstream
can actually turn off the gene that controls your sex hormones.
Here are other tips to give your libido a big-time boost:
Getting physically active Studies
have shown that men who engaged in regular physical activity lowered
their risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction. Remember, when using
exercise as a drug, it’s important to vary your routine.
Check your diet
We each have a unique nutritional type
with varying demands for the ratios of macronutrients (fats, proteins
and carbohydrates) to function optimally. When you are eating the foods
your body was designed to eat, you will notice improvements in every
aspect of your health. Some people do better eating mainly proteins,
some do better eating mainly carbohydrates and some do better eating a
combination of proteins and carbohydrate. You will need to do tests to
find out which metabolic type you are.
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