Eat Greek for a Week: Fabulous food that will improve your health in seven days - Tonia Buxton (2015)

EAT GREEK TO INCREASE YOUR LIBIDO

NOTHING REDUCES YOUR INTEREST IN SEX MORE THAN LOW SELF-ESTEEM. You need to spoil yourself when you’re feeling down and take some time to relax or do an activity that makes you feel better within yourself. Yes, nutrition can make a huge difference to your libido, but it really does all start in the mind. Our sub-conscious mind is a minefield, but once you start getting it to work with you there is nothing you cannot achieve.

It’s well known that smoking can have a terrible effect on blood flow to the sexual organs as it causes the blood vessels to narrow. It restricts blood flow and damages blood vessels, causes impotence, reduces stamina and performance, puts carbon monoxide and lead into your body, along with another 100 or so toxic substances; the body can also lose vitamins A, E and C through smoking - all of which are essential for arousal and intercourse! It also saps your stamina and most people don’t like kissing an ashtray.

Moderate regular exercise will help improve blood flow to the sexual organs. In addition, exercise helps you feel good about yourself. Anything that improves self-esteem will improve libido. Also those that exercise tend to sleep better, and lack of sleep hinders performance and also stops your glands from working optimally.

Alcohol may well help you lose your inhibitions but anything more than a couple of glasses will dull the sensation of intercourse, decrease performance and can cause impotence. Caffeine can stress the adrenal glands when taken in high quantities, so it’s best to keep it to one or two cups a day.

Stress is the enemy of pretty much everything but it really does work against the libido. I have gone into de-stressing detail in the ‘Get Pregnant’ diet, so take a look there, but there are so may ways to reduce stress - you need to take control and help yourself; no one can do it for you.

And of course to have a healthy libido you have to have good nutrition, it’s all about blood flow and if you are not eating the right foods to get healthy, you will not, to put it crudely, get horny! The good news is the food is tasty, easy to prepare and while you eat this way you will be improving not just your libido but also your skin, your hair, your eyes, your health and you’ll look younger too!

NUTRIENT	WHAT IT DOES	FOOD FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS
Vitamin A	✵ Regulates the synthesis of progesterone and testosterone. ✵ Boosts immune function. ✵ Aids healthy functioning of the sex organs. ✵ Important for the health of the mucous membranes (lips, mouth, clitoris, clitoral hood, head of the penis, anus). ✵ Lack of vitamin A can cause testicle and ovary atrophy which may lead to sterilisation. ✵ Keeps the skin healthy.	Olive oil, kale, liver, kidney, egg yolk, sweet potato, carrots, kale, butternut squash, cos and romaine lettuce, dried apricots, cantaloupe melon, red peppers, tuna, mango, cheese, yogurt.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	✵ Enhances nerve transmission and energy production which are essential to increase libido. ✵ Required to maintain cellular function. ✵ Deficiency leads to degeneration of the nervous system and body.	Trout, salmon, tuna, mackerel, lean pork, macadamia nuts, brazil nuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, wheat bread, wheat bagel, green peas, sweetcorn, acorn squash, butternut squash, asparagus, edamame beans, navy, pink and black beans, sun-dried tomato, okra, wholewheat pasta, salami.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	✵ Known to increase blood flow to the skin, increasing sensitivity. ✵ Found to increase blood flow to the clitoris and clitoral hood as well as the head of the penis, which will strengthen the orgasm for both men and women.	Tuna, mackerel, salmon, swordfish, halibut, chicken and turkey breast, lean pork, liver (lamb, beef, veal, chicken and pork), peanuts, lean beef, Portobello mushroom, green peas, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, avocado.
Vitamin B6	✵ Regulates hormone balance and blood sugar. ✵ Essential for the creation of the substance that carries oxygen around the body (haemoglobin). ✵ Controls elevated prolactin. Essential as high levels of prolactin may cause reduced sex drive and fertility in men and women, and erectile dysfunction in men.	Tuna, turkey, lean pork, lean beef, liver, salmon, cod, bananas, spinach, bell peppers, turnip greens, collard greens, garlic, cauliflower, celery, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, kale, avocado, Brussels sprouts, pistachio, sunflower seeds.
Vitamin B12	✵ Low B12 linked with abnormal oestrogen levels. ✵ Improves sperm quality and production.	Shellfish, liver, caviar, mackerel, crab, lobster, beef, lamb, cheese, eggs, fortified cereals.
Vitamin C	✵ Regulates hormones in women. ✵ Involved in the synthesis of the hormones which cause sexual arousal. ✵ Increases sperm count and mobility. ✵ Strengthens blood vessels keeping them flexible, thereby aiding blood flow. ✵ Strengthens immune system.	Citrus fruits, peppers (red and yellow bell), dark green leafy veg, kale, kiwi, broccoli, berries, cooked tomatoes, peas.
Vitamin D	✵ Helps the body create sex hormones, leading to hormonal balance. ✵ Strengthens the immune system. ✵ Deficiency leads to weakening of the bones and muscles.	Eggs, oily fish (trout), caviar, dairy, mushrooms, extra lean pork.
Vitamin E The Sex Vitamin	✵ Antioxidant found to help sperm and egg DNA. ✵ Facilitates lubrication which can enhance sensation. ✵ Reduces prostate enlargement. ✵ Increases circulation in the body. ✵ Increases sperm health and mobility in men. ✵ Helps oxidation of the blood. ✵ Reduces chronic inflammation. ✵ An antioxidant which fights free radicals in the sex glands. ✵ Helps menopausal symptoms. ✵ Reduces premenstrual syndrome.	Olives, olive oil, spinach, almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados, shrimp, rainbow trout, broccoli, butternut squash and pumpkin.
Folic Acid (B9)	✵ Improves sperm quality. ✵ Makes essential changes to sperm DNA which reduces the rate of birth defects.	Asparagus, liver, lentils, black-eyed peas, spinach, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, lettuce, mango, oranges, wheat bread, chickpeas.
Iron	✵ Essential for transportation of oxygen to all parts of the body. ✵ Deficiency leads to fatigue and weakness.	Molluscs, liver, spinach, beans and pulses, sesame seeds, squash and pumpkin seeds (raw), venison, beef, lean lamb, nuts, egg yolk, whole grains, leafy greens, dark chocolate, berries, apricots, grapes.
Selenium Increases the effectiveness of vitamin E, so double antioxidant effect.	✵ Produces antioxidants which protects the sperm and egg. ✵ Necessary for production and mobility of sperm. ✵ Men carry up to half of the selenium in their body in their testicles and seminal ducts!	Brazil nuts, oysters, tuna, salmon, cod, halibut, shrimp, wheat bread, lean pork, beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, liver, mushrooms, rye, eggs.
Zinc Zinc can easily be damaged by cooking and I recommend the cooked products for a higher success rate.	✵ Required for the production of sexual hormones including testosterone. ✵ Deficiency leads to oestrogen and progesterone imbalance. ✵ Increases sperm levels, form, function and quality. ✵ Aiding in tissue repair and regeneration as well as strengthening the immune system. ✵ Zinc in the prostate gland and sperm is higher than anywhere else in the body. ✵ Zinc keeps healthy adrenal activity which can fight the effects stress has on the body, and keep your sexual stamina high.	Calf liver, oysters, beef, lamb, lean pork shoulder, chicken, venison, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, turkey, green peas, beans, shrimp, wheatgerm, spinach, cashews, chocolate, mushrooms.
Fats and Essential Fatty acids	✵ Omega-3 increases blood flow to the reproductive organs, regulates hormones and keeps the skin lubricated. ✵ Facilitates the production of all hormones in the body including sex hormones like progesterone and testosterone. ✵ Essential fatty acids (omega-3) help raise dopamine levels which trigger arousal. ✵ Helps the body store more fat soluble vitamins including vitamin E. ✵ Deficiency in omega-3 has been widely linked with depression. ✵ Helps your skin and internal organs stay hydrated.	Olive oil, nuts, seeds, tinned tuna, salmon, sardines, halibut, shrimp, snapper, fish roe, scallops, oysters, mackerel, organic meats, avocado, macadamia nut oil, flax seed and oil, walnuts, red peppers.
Protein	✵ Provides amino acids, essential building blocks for all cells in the body. ✵ Aids muscle growth, especially after damage.	Turkey breast, chicken breast, tuna, salmon, halibut, cheese, pork loin, lean beef and veal, beans, egg whites, yogurt, nuts and seeds, beans, sun-dried tomato.
Fibre	✵ Essential for removing excess oestrogen and xenohormones from the body. ✵ Keeps a healthy digestive system, maximising nutrient uptake and functionality.	Bran, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, berries, leafy greens, celery, squash, kidney beans, mushrooms, oranges, corn.
Lipoic Acid	✵ Antioxidant which protects the female reproductive system. ✵ Increases sperm quality and motility. ✵ Helps the body re-use antioxidants.	Potatoes, red meat, heart, liver, kidneys, broccoli, spinach.
Beta-carotene Olive oil helps the absorption of beta-carotene!	✵ Powerful antioxidant.	Sweet potato, carrots, pumpkins, cantaloupe melon, Swiss chard, spinach, kale, cos or romaine lettuce, butternut squash, red peppers, peas, paprika, chilli, parsley, coriander, cayenne.
Magnesium	✵ Boosts energy levels. ✵ Involved in the production of sex hormones and neurotransmitters which control the urge in the sex organs. ✵ Essential for maximum functionality of every cell in the body. ✵ Deficiency can lead to muscle cramps amongst other things. ✵ Essential for healthy muscle contraction, therefore aids in ejaculation and orgasm.	Dark leafy greens (spinach), nuts and seeds, mackerel, beans, lentils, whole grains, avocado, bananas, dried figs, dark chocolate.