More Energy - Here Are 7 Things I Do That Gives Me Lots of Energy

I enjoy looking up the meaning of words in the dictionary even the simple ones and I recently looked up Energy. It gave me about nine definitions but the one that I liked best which applies here defined energy as "any source of usable power."

For the sometime now I have been following a regimen that I developed for myself which gives me a great source of usable power. These 7 simple things I do provide me with great energy which I then channel to achieve the things that I want in my life.

1. Diet

Common sense dictates that if I want energy and lots of it, I had to retool my diet. Awhile back I read a book which compared an acidic body vs. alkaline body. What I got out of it is that you want your body's ph balance to be neutral or at least leaning towards more alkaline. Having an acidic body invites diseases, viruses and bacteria and if left in that state serious illness can develop.

It also made me aware of the signals to watch out for that tells me if my body is leaning towards being acidic such as being sluggish, gassy, skin problems, unable to concentrate and irritability to name a few. So I started eating alkaline rich foods and minimizing acidic foods (you can search in Google or Yahoo for a list of alkaline rich foods) which help keep my body's ph balanced. My overall goal is to help my body in the development of red blood cells. This is vital because without a quantity and quality red blood cells in the body optimal health and energy production is not possible.

2. Exercise

I don't think I need to tell you the benefits of exercise. The problem is finding the time do it. I found that 20 minutes of exercise a day works for me. Push-ups, crunches, skipping rope and a 25 lbs. and 30 lbs. dumbbell are all I need to get a good workout going.

3. Liquids

The right kinds of liquids I should say. I still drink coffee but not as much as I use to. I substituted green tea for most of it. Green tea with brown rice from Genmaicha is my favorite. The rest of my liquids are made up of water, juices and health shakes.

4. Supplements

Just like my goal with retooling my diet, I want to help my body develop lots of quality red blood cells. I take Total Balance Men's plus supplement made by Xtend Life (see resource link). In addition, I also take Omega-3 fish oil and other key supplements that I determined is right specifically for me.

5. Sleep

I try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Many underestimate the power of sleep. Sleep helps repair your body from the wear and tear you give it, it reduces stress which contributes to an acidic body, improves your memory and overall recharges your body.

Just like your cell phone, laptop and any other wireless device you own needs to be recharged every night so that you can use it to its full capacity, you need to recharge your body in order for you to use it in its full capacity.

6. Habits

I had a habit of eating a lot of sweets. I love cakes, pies, cannolli and ice-cream. Now I didn't give up all that stuff but I did have to reduce the amount and frequency of eating too much sweets. Learn this word - Moderation. It is your friend.

Personally, I don't smoke and if you do, I am sure you already know the answer. If you need help in this I suggest reading the book The Motivated Mind by Jason M. Gracia. He explains how you can change your internal motivation to best serve you.

7. X-factor

The last of the 7 things I do which I named the "X-Factor" and helps give me tremendous amount of energy or energizes me is having a worth while goal - A BIG DESIRE.

I am sure just like me you have a lot of things you want to accomplish. I have goals in 5 key areas of my life - Financial, Physical, Mental/Intellectual, Social and Spiritual. You see having something worthwhile to strive for gives you purpose. Purpose provides for a huge source of energy you can draw from.

The attainment of your goals and desires is where you want to direct most of your energy and without it is like being in a powerful car with no steering wheel.

Well that's it. These are the 7 things I do that provide me with lots of energy everyday. They are simple and based on common sense. But someone told me a long time ago unfortunately, common sense is not common.

Significant Deficiencies Of Dietary Magnesium Are Surprisingly Common

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for human health and is required throughout the body; but by far the largest quantities are found in the bones and muscles.

Almost all the body's enzymes are dependent to some degree on adequate supplies of magnesium, and these enzymes are essential for several hundred vital metabolic reactions; amongst the most important being the production of energy within cells through the metabolism of dietary proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Magnesium is also needed for the synthesis of protein, the activation of genes and the transmission of impulses between nerve cells.

In addition to the above general functions, magnesium is a vital element in the complex of nutrients required for the production of glutathione, one of the body's most important fat-soluble anti-oxidant enzymes. Glutathione protects those parts of the body's cells which are composed of fat, such as the membranes, by neutralising any free radicals attacking these delicate structures.

Magnesium may therefore be regarded as an important anti-ageing nutrient in its own right, but it has also been the subject of extensive research into a number of more specific health functions.

Adequate levels appear to be particularly important in ensuring the proper take up of calcium by the bones, and low levels of blood magnesium have been shown to be linked with correspondingly low levels of calcium; and to have an inhibiting effect on the action of vitamin D, which is itself essential for the proper functioning of calcium. Logically enough, therefore, some research has suggested a link between supplements of magnesium and increases in bone density.

There is some research evidence to suggest that low levels of blood magnesium may be a risk factor for the development of high blood pressure, and also that magnesium supplements can be of benefit for reducing blood pressure in sufferers who have inadequate intakes of dietary magnesium, but orthodox medical opinion maintains that more work is necessary before this link can be definitively established.

Low levels of magnesium intake are also associated with a significantly increased risk of diabetes, but there have been conflicting results from research studies into the question of whether supplements of magnesium may be useful in managing the disease.

Likewise, the benefits of the use of high doses of intravenous magnesium in the immediate aftermath of heart attacks remain a matter of controversy, but there is good evidence that oral supplements of magnesium may reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots in individuals suffering from cardiovascular disease.

There is also a known association between low levels of blood magnesium and recurring migraine headaches, and there is some evidence that supplementation may reduce the frequency of attacks.

Supplementation has also been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome in more than 70% of women.

Unprocessed whole grains such as brown rice or cereals are the best food sources of magnesium. A serving of oats or bran, for example, may typically provide as much as 90 mg or more of magnesium per serving; a cup of brown rice a little less, and a serving of wheat cereal perhaps 60 mg or so. Dark green vegetables such as spinach may provide up to 80 mg; and beans and nuts are also a useful source, a single ounce of hazelnuts or peanuts, for example, supplying almost 50 mg of magnesium. Milk may also supply around 30 mg.

But despite these apparently widespread and rich sources, there is evidence that many people do not obtain sufficient dietary magnesium and that the diets of older people, in particular, are likely to be inadequate. The European Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 300 mg, but in the US higher levels of 420 mg for men and 320 mg for women have been prescribed. Given the importance of magnesium within the body, these findings are a cause for concern, and indicate that most adults should be considering supplementing with magnesium.

However, some caution needs to be exercised when taking extra magnesium in this way; because 350 mg per day has been established in the US as the upper safe limit for supplemental magnesium for adults. Below this level there should be no risk of the relatively minor, albeit unpleasant, gastric side effects, principally diarrhoea, which have sometimes been noted when higher dose supplements have been taken.

It's important to note, however, that more serious consequences of excess magnesium have been observed in those already suffering from kidney problems. Such individuals appear to have a higher sensitivity to concentrations of the mineral, and may suffer further deterioration in kidney function and possibly blood pressure problems as a result.

No such problems have been observed to arise from high levels of magnesium consumed in the diet, and it needs to be remembered that like all other nutrients, magnesium does not operate in isolation within the body and interacts closely with other vitamins and minerals.

Any supplementation should therefore be taken as part of a comprehensive multi-mineral. And for the maximum anti-oxidant effect through the production of glutathione, this should be taken alongside a good quality multi-vitamin preparation.

What You Really Need to Know About Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a word which we are familiar; mostly through its link to cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and blood vessels known as CVD), and through advertising campaigns promoting cholesterol-lowering products. It appears to be a straight-forward subject; avoid cholesterol for a healthy heart. However, acquiring a deeper understanding of cholesterol will contribute to an improvement in health, and decrease chances of developing problems such as CVD.
Cholesterol surprisingly, is vital to good health; a major component of cell membranes, essential to the functioning of certain hormones, and important in digestive processes. There are two types; dietary cholesterol found in food, and blood cholesterol found in blood- no surprises there. It is found in significant amounts in several foods such as eggs, beef products, shellfish, butter, cream, liver and kidneys. However, only around a quarter of the cholesterol found in our blood comes from our diet; the rest is produced naturally by the liver and intestine.
The amount of cholesterol in our diet does not reflect the amount of cholesterol in our blood. High blood cholesterol levels are more closely associated with a high intake of bad fats, rather than a high intake of dietary cholesterol. This means that you do not have to completely avoid healthy foods such as lean beef, eggs and shellfish because they are high in cholesterol; they are valid parts of a healthy diet. It is important to avoid the deep-fried chips, the fatty sausages, or dubious sauces that go with them, which contain the damaging fats (more on this to follow). Blood cholesterol levels are also raised by smoking, consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol, being overweight, and being under exercised.
Cholesterol is transported in the blood attached to substances called lipoproteins, which are divided into two groups; low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). It is the LDLs (known as bad cholesterol) which are associated with health problems. Levels of blood cholesterol are not necessarily meaningful on their own, but become meaningful as a ratio of LDL(bad cholesterol) to HDL (good cholesterol). It is desirable for health to have a higher amount of HDL than LDL. It is therefore beneficial to increase levels of HDL and decrease levels of LDL. In simplistic terms, there are three ways in which we can do this;

o Diet; Mono and poly unsaturated fats (vegetable oils liquid at room temperature) lower LDL and raise HDL, saturated fats (mostly animal fats) both raise LDL and HDL, however trans fats (hydrogenated fats) raise LDL and may lower HDL. It is important to avoid hydrogenated fats, eat moderate amounts of saturated fats, and include olive oil, sunflower oil, and natural oils found in avocado, nuts and seeds in your diet. A second important dietary influence is fiber; it is thought that a high fiber diet may reduce levels of bad cholesterol. A great way to include fiber in the diet is to breakfast on cereals such as bran flakes or oats (put the chocopops back), also eat your fruits and vegetables with the skin on to increase fiber intake. Eat plenty of beans and pulses such as lentils and peas.

o Alcohol/smoking; alcohol in amounts above the suggested limit of 2-3 units per day for women, and 3-4 for men (preferably with 2-3 alcohol-free days per week) increases levels of bad cholesterol, as does all smoking.

o Exercise: all exercise will help lower bad cholesterol, and raise good cholesterol levels. Exercise will also keep the heart and blood vessels in good working order, and lower blood pressure, which will decrease the risk of developing CVD. Exercise will help control weight; maintaining a healthy weight will contribute to a healthy blood cholesterol profile.
There are many products available now which claim to lower bad cholesterol levels, such as yoghurts and margarines. These may be effective in helping reduce LDL levels, but should be used along side the above points; consuming a special drinking yoghurt every day does not mean you can stuff sausage butties with no consequence to your health!

High blood cholesterol presents no symptoms until the damage is done. Anyone over the age of 35 should have their cholesterol checked by a doctor if they are at risk of heart disease for one of the following reasons (risk factors); family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or if they smoke. An unhealthy profile increases the chance of erectile dysfunction, disorders of the veins and arteries, stroke, and potentially fatal heart disease. If you are concerned, it is best to obtain a blood cholesterol profile from your GP as home testing kits may not be reliable or accurate. People at high risk of cardiovascular disease may be prescribed drugs to alter their blood cholesterol profile, but should also change their lifestyle where possible.
To ensure that you live a happy, long and independent life, do what you can to lower those LDL levels and raise the HDL; exercise every day, snack on fruit and nuts, eat a healthy diet avoiding all hydrogenated fats, drink moderately and don't smoke.

Six Strategies for Staying Young Longer

Like it or not, we begin to age the moment we are born. But considering that our bodies are designed to be productive past the age of one hundred, this should not be an issue. And although we are living longer, we are not aging better. There was a time when even doctors thought that a bent spine, painful joints, melancholy, and mental confusion were just a normal part of getting old. Today, we know these to be symptoms of disease - osteoporosis, arthritis, depression, and dementia or others - and we are trying to prevent and treat them.

Although aging is still not completely understood, most scientists define it as the accumulation of random damage to the building blocks of life -- especially to DNA, and to certain proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Free radicals cause some of the damage. Our lifestyle and the mix of genes we inherit also influence the amount and the results of damage. The body's self-repair mechanisms fix some of the damage, but not all. Our lifestyle also helps repair some of the damage. But as we grow older, the repair mechanisms don't work quite as well, leaving cells, tissues, and organs to become impaired and exposing us to diseases. Among the discomforts that are NOT necessarily part of normal aging are: Hypertension, congestive heart disease, arterial sclerosis, stroke, dementia, arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer, osteoporosis, menopause, graying and hair loss, wrinkled skin, fatigue, weakness, loss of muscle and tone, diminishing vision, smell, and hearing; overweight; digestive problems and loss of appetite.

Average life expectancy today is 77 years. The oldest recorded human died in 1997 at 122 years old. Can this life span be extended? Even more importantly - can a person's "health span" - a term which means, "living longer, healthier, and more active lives" - be extended?

In the absence of a magic pill, here are six disease-prevention and anti-aging strategies - things you can do now to stay young and prolong your life.

1. Eat More Fruits and Veggies. The secret to a longer life could be hiding in your refrigerator. Specific chemicals in the foods you eat affect your genes. For example, Sulforaphane, a phytochemical in broccoli, works with your genes to build up your body's self-repair mechanisms, helping to inactivate toxins and free radicals before they can do the damage that leads to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even premature aging.

By eating more of the foods that contain nutrients that support the body's defense systems, you can prevent or repair the damage before it leads to disease. Scientists studied the diet of the world's longest-lived people - the men and women of Okinawa, Japan. During 25 years of study, researchers have found that Okinawans have healthier arteries, lower risks for breast and prostrate cancer, stronger bones, sharper minds, lean, fit bodies, and excellent emotional health. The Okinawan diet consists mainly of high-carbohydrate, low-calorie, plant-based foods.

So the advice to eat more fruits and vegetables is based on real-life research. As a matter of fact, the USDA recommendation of at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables is not enough. Eating 9 to 15 daily servings decreases your risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, and obesity. For example, Lycopene, the pigment that makes tomatoes red, also appears to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people 55 and older. While fresh tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, the most absorbable forms are found in cooked tomato products, such as spaghetti sauce and soup. Pink grapefruit, guava, red bell pepper, and watermelon also contain Lycopene.

Sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and other orange fruits and vegetables boost your intake of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A, essential for healthy skin and eyes, and which may also reduce the risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Lutein and Lycopene are also found in orange foods.

Blueberries, red grapes, plums (fresh or dried), purple grape juice, blackberries, and red cabbage contain Anthocyanins, the chemicals that give these fruits their deep purplish color, are absorbed into the brain's membranes and can improve memory and cognition.
Broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower contain Sulforaphane, which increases the production of enzymes that clear toxins from the body.

2. Manage your weight. Restricting calories is a proven way to prolong life and vitality. Calorie restriction is the most studied anti-aging method. It is a diet high in nutrients and very low in calories (about 30- 40 percent lower than a maintenance level of calories). By eating fewer calories, your body will create fewer free radicals and improve glucose efficiency.

You don't have to do ultra-strict calorie restriction, but following a diet such as the Okinawa program above, in which plant-based foods comprise two-thirds of your diet; you'll be on your way to a healthier longer life.

3. Increase your activity. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, add some regular activity to your routine, such as walking or biking at least 4 days weekly for at least 45 minutes. Please speak with you doctor, if you have any diagnosed medical condition before starting any exercise program. Regular exercise is one prescription that can immediately enhance the quality and length of your life.

4. Get regular check-ups. If you catch problems early, by having basic screening exams such as mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopy, bone-mineral density scans, and any blood tests you should have, you increase your chances of early detection and recovery.

5. Don't smoke. But you already know this.

6. Drink fresh water. You need to adequately hydrate the body. You don't necessarily have to follow the eight-glasses-a-day recommendation. Drink enough so that your urine is clear.

Health Tips For Men and Women

Here are some health tips you might find useful. I myself have survived a serious health problem and not just survived it but emerged from it at the age of 58 in the best health I have ever enjoyed.

DAILY EXERCISE:
Lots of walking/running/cycling. Bodies like to be worked so work yours. Just bear in mind a gradient approach and don't over-tax it.

STRESS:
Human beings are tough creatures so I'm not over-keen to play the "stress" card. A busy, active, responsible life with a few thrills and spills is recommended. But get sufficient rest and sleep and give yourself some down time. Take a walk and get yourself some space. As well as ensuring you get sufficient rest, get sufficient WHOLESOME food food and liquids. These common-sense measures can go a long way to preventing high cholesterol and blood pressure weight gain, insomnia, headaches, acne, and even hair loss. The body will work fine until its is impeded from so doing: so much of what ails us comes about because, quite simply, we poison or damage ourselves

QUIT CAFFEINE AND TOBACCO:
This maybe easier said than done but the health benefits if you can pull it off are tremendous. Believe me, I've been there! And if I can kick these habits so, my friend, can you!

AVOID DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
These are poisons. The pharmaceutical industry works hard to convince us to drug ourselves on every pretext - and the drugs touted are very often catastrophic to health. In a great many instances good nutrition is a better solution or indeed prevention and as a technology nutrition has left the pharmaceutical approach back in the stone age.

Drug companies however cannot make money out of getting us to eat properly or take vitamins. Indeed they cannot make money out of our being well.

GET REGULAR CHECKUPS:
I recommend two things: a standard blood test by which you can monitor cholesterol levels and so forth and periodic visits to a kinesiologist.

Kinesiology is a highly advanced piece of technology and in the hands of an expert practitioner it is a wonderful and very accurate diagnostic tool.

With it one can establish whether any organs are not working properly and not only establish the specific herbal/nutritional remedy that will resolve the matter but the amounts of that remedy one needs to take. My kinesiologist has been able to detect and resolve issues early before they became life-threatening that mainstream medicine never would have been able to detect.

I have been greatly impressed and helped by Kinesiology and highly recommend it.

SUPER FOOD
They are calling it a super food and a "nutrient power house." In my view this natural, organic whole food deserves such accolades. It nourishes at a deep cellular level. Since I have been using it I have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence of my vitality and overall wellness. Throughout my body everything simply started working properly. I have been so impressed by this fantastic product that I am about to publish a free book that will tell you all about it:: what it is, what it does and why its results are so miraculous. I am giving it away to anyone who wants a copy. Including YOU, dear reader.

Vital Health Tips For Everyone

When you talk about the list of priorities of people around the world, you may encounter big differences among different cultures. Some people in other parts of the world value family ties more than anything else. Other people cherish and give utmost importance to career and personal development. Others believe that above all, religion must be the number one priority. Still others believe that love and relationships should be at the top of everybody's list. Despite some clear differences among people in different parts of the world, there is one thing that everyone does consider as very important - if not THE most important aspect of all. While it may be true that different people have different priorities in life, it is also true that they all value their health. Thus, to make things easier for every one of us, here are a few health Tips that might come in handy. Read on to learn more about these tips.

The most vital of all health Tips is to quit smoking and drinking. These are two of the biggest killers among both men and women. Another tip is to keep moving as much as possible. If you can walk to your work or school, then skip your car and the city taxis. Another tip is to avoid eating fat that is beyond the daily requirement. Fat is important for our daily nutrition. However, too much of it will also hurt us.

Without good health, people cannot do the things they want. They cannot take care of their career, family, practice their faith, and everything else that life can offer. Take care of your health beginning today. It is never too late.

Sexual Health of Men

The sexual health of men is not as complicated as that of women. Show a man a certain type of image and if his brain and nervous system are working properly to produce nitric oxide, then a response will usually occur. That's not to discount any mental, emotional, and spiritual components but it is the physical component that has the greatest impact on man's sexual health. This article will focus on what men can do to improve the physical component of their sexual health. The side benefit is that these suggestions can also positively impact your overall wellness and how you age.

In all the information I gathered to prepare for this article, two overriding issues kept surfacing. These two health issues were consistently present. The first is hormone levels. The second is cardiovascular health. Most men would understand how hormone levels could apply but few ever consider cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular Health!

Your cardiovascular health is as important to your sexual health as it is to your overall health. The reason why centers on the health of the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels of your body. The creation of nitric oxide occurs in these endothelial cells. Nitric oxide researchers believe that nitric oxide can correct up to 90% of all penile dysfunction. When the endothelial cells are damaged by high blood pressure, high sugar levels, cholesterol, and smoking this decreases nitric oxide production. Endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide are critical to the sexual health of men.

Hormone Levels!

At its simplest level, sex is just a hormone driven function designed to perpetuate the species. With that said, the sexual health of American men is in trouble. Testosterone levels have been decreasing over the last 20 years. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It plays an important role in maintaining bone and muscle mass. Low levels of testosterone have been linked to lowered libido and diabetes. Diabetes can affect the endothelial cells of the blood vessels compounding the problem of lower testosterone levels.

Over the past two decades, the level of testosterone in American males has decreased by 16 percent. Researchers don't know why. But there are some clues. The recent Nurses' Health Study revealed some important truths as they apply to women. Some of those truths also apply to the sexual health of men because they affect both hormonal levels and cardiovascular health.

Additionally, as testosterone levels have decreased this has resulted in reduced muscle mass and tone, reduced metabolism and energy and an increase in body fat. Not a sexy combination! You can accept it and do nothing about it. Or, you can begin to live life by making healthier eating and exercise choices. Choices that will help your body actually be younger physically than your chronological age.

You Have Control Over the Process!

Every day you replace approximately 1% of your cells. That means that 1% of your body is new today, 1% is new tomorrow, and 1% is new each and every day of your life. You choose whether those new cells will be nourished properly or poorly. You choose whether you will have healthy and vibrant cells that act young. Or, sickly and sedentary cells that act old.

The sexual health of your body will be affected by the choices you make. I call it "The 1% Solution!" and it will positively affect the cardiovascular and sexual health of your body.

Choices Affecting Sexual Health!

The Nurses' Health Study highlighted five critical lifestyle and diet behaviors. They are:

o Carbohydrates - Slow verses Fast!

o Fats - Natural verses Artificial!

o Protein - Animal or Plant!

o Body Weight - Your BMI!

o Exercise - Is It Important?

If you look at this list, three critical components emerge: Diet, Weight, and Exercise! Now you might think that this only applies to women. It doesn't! Each of these factors will affect your cardiovascular health and hormonal balance. Each of these factors also affects the health of your endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide production is the most important component to the sexual health of men. Let's look at how all of these factors impact your sexual health.

The Diet Component!

You are what you eat and drink. The sexual health of your body and the cardiovascular health of your circulatory system will be greatly determined by your food and drink choices. These choices will also impact the potential for disease and how you age.

Your first choice is in the area of carbohydrates. Are you choosing foods and drinks that are high in fast carbs (simple sugars)? If you are, then you need to understand that:

o Fast carbs disrupt hormone levels.

o Fast carbs create the potential for high blood sugar that can lead to diabetes.

o High blood sugar can damage the endothelial cells of your blood vessels reducing the production of nitric oxide which is critical for good sexual and cardiovascular health.

Learn to consume foods that are high in slow carbs (complex carbohydrates). Slow carbs will help to keep your blood sugar levels normal and your hormonal levels balanced. Drink water instead of sugary drinks and diet sodas. Drinking water hydrates your system, helps you balance your hormone levels, and aids in weight management.

Your second choice is in the area of fats. Eliminate all trans fats from your diet and replace them with natural, heart-health fats. The Nurses' Health Study clearly showed how disruptive trans fats are to fertility in women. As little as four grams of trans fat (the equivalent of two tablespoons of stick margarine, one medium order of French fries or one doughnut) began to disrupt their hormonal balance.

How much of your diet consists of trans fats from fast food restaurants? How many orders of French fries and doughnuts have you consumed at work? Although I can't give you any hard research on men, it makes sense that we can be as affected by trans fats as women are. It's time that you incorporate foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as wild, cold-water fish, walnuts, and flax seeds) since essential fats help to balance hormone levels and promote healthy cell function.

Your third choice is in the area of protein. According to the Nurses' Health Study, women who got their protein from plant sources rather then from animals took a big step toward improved fertility. Animal protein can adversely affect your sexual health. It also has a direct influence on cancer!

If you're not willing to give up your beef, pork or chicken, then invest the time, energy and extra cost to make sure that these sources of protein are hormone free. This also applies to your dairy products. Much of the industry still relies on hormonal injections into their livestock to help increase food production. Eating meat from these animals and their byproducts will affect your hormonal levels. If you're not willing to switch to plant-based protein sources, then make sure your meat and dairy sources are hormone free.

The Weight Component!

Like it or not weight impacts the sexual health of your body. Why? Because fat interferes with your hormonal balance! Fat also stresses your cardiovascular system. This additional stress on your cardiovascular system will compromise the sexual health of your body. Currently, 66% of Americans are overweight with at least a third being obese. Diets are not the answer. America has been dieting for the last 50 years. It has had no real impact on slowing down overweight and obesity rates.

You need a paradigm shift from "dieting" to "healthy eating". Make food choices based on how it will improve your health and wellness, not on how it will impact your weight. Most people who do this see their weight stabilize or decrease.

The Exercise Component!

Exercise is important for both sexual and cardiovascular health. Inactivity saps the body of its ability to respond to insulin and makes you less efficient in absorbing blood sugar. A study from the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality highlighted that people who exercised on a regular basis:

o Feel better about themselves.

o Think they are more sexually desirable.

o Experience greater levels of satisfaction.

It's always important to check with your physician or health care provider before you start an exercise program. Once you have their OK, than strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, biking, and swimming are important and seem to increase circulation to the pelvis and the reproductive organs. But don't forget about strength training exercises. Strength training exercises will help you maintain bone health and density. Additionally, strength training exercises will increase your spatial awareness. This is a very positive feeling that improves your overall well being.

The Nitric Oxide Component!

You cannot live without nitric oxide. Your cardiovascular system could not function properly without nitric oxide. The sexual health of your body revolves around the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide production is dependant upon the health of the endothelial cells of your blood vessels, and adequate supplies of the essential amino acid L-arginine.

High blood pressure, high sugar levels, high cholesterol levels and smoking all affect your endothelial cells in a negative way. Damage to these endothelial cells will reduce nitric oxide production. This can compromise the blood flow to the sexual organ resulting in reduced sensitivity and/or erectile dysfunction.

Since nitric oxide is synthesized from the essential amino acid L-arginine, your diet needs to include protein sources and/or supplements that contain this amino acid. It needs to be emphasized that L-arginine is not a hormone and it is not testosterone. However, when properly brought into the body it can cross the blood-brain barrier to signal the hypothalamus to naturally trigger the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone. This is the key to eliminating any negative side effects typically associated with hormone supplements like DHEA and HGH.

Please note that L-arginine has a dark side and can cause some serious side effects. Read my article, "L-arginine, Nitric Oxide and Sexual Health!" for more information on this essential amino acid.

Conclusion!


If you continue a life of inactively, animal protein intake, sugary drinks, foods made from refined grains, increased body fat, and inadequate nitric oxide production, then you will become part of the new reality for America. This new reality includes epidemic increases in diabetes, continued high levels of cardiovascular disease and stroke, continued high levels of cancer, and poor sexual health especially for those over the age of 40. As Aristotle said, "We Are What We Repeatedly Do!"

By taking the necessary steps to improve your diet, manage your weight, exercise properly and increase your body's ability to produce nitric oxide you will experience positive changes in the sexual health of your body. If you repeatedly take these positive steps you will also improve your wellness and slow down your aging.

One Final Thought!

Although the hormonal balance between men and women are different, the process of change is the same. Many of the steps that improve the sexual health of men will also help improve the sexual health of women. Encourage your spouse or partner to implement these changes with you. If you both take the steps to improve your health, then you will both be reward in the bedroom, and in living your life to its fullest.