Ok In Health Ok In Health

Brad KingThe Ultimate Libido Boost
By Brad J. King, M.S., M.F.S.
Performance Nutritionist Nutritional Researcher

Men hit their so-called sexual peak in their late 20's, however this peak is most often defined
by a man's energy, stamina and of course his sexuality! The truth is that a man's sexuality is
largely controlled through the production of a powerful hormone called testosterone
(which is in abundance in a man's body between the ages of 18 and 30).

Brad King
Brad King
Brad King

In today's society, most men experience a decline in sexual energy--caused by waning testosterone levels--as they age. Aside from the fact that overall health is negatively affected as we lose this vital hormone, this dip in testosterone also leads to low mood, loss of lean muscle tissue and strength and a drastic decline in the libido that once never failed us. In other words, testosterone is the primary hormonal message behind a man (and a woman's) sex drive.1,2

Not just a man's hormone
It is well accepted that most women after menopause experience a less than adequate sex drive. This low libido status can often be due to lowered testosterone levels--especially free testosterone (the most biologically active testosterone). This is why many doctors now prescribe testosterone treatment--along with other hormones (hormone replacement therapy or HRT, preferably as bio-identical hormones)--for women suffering from low libido, with great success. Swedish researchers recently published a study showing that testosterone gel given to postmenopausal women with low libido had positive effects on several aspects of sexual life such as frequency of sexual activity, orgasm, arousal, fantasies and sexual interest.3

Research shows that more than half of all men over 40 experience difficulties either getting or maintaining an erection. This issue, referred to as erectile dysfunction (ED), is also seen in younger men.4 The problem is that when you take away a man's ability to both achieve and /or maintain a powerful erection, you also strip that man of his confidence, which often leads to feelings of inadequacy, frustration and a lowered love for life.

One major problem that should also concern men who suffer from ED is the fact that ED itself can also predict other hidden problems like cardiovascular disease. Just as the arteries that feed the heart or brain can become clogged, so can the arteries that cause erections. Research presented in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, indicates that aside from its powerful arousal qualities, testosterone can also improve erectile function by restoring the blood-trapping capacity of blood vessels within the penis.5 The same journal presented a study showing that testosterone therapy was even more effective when combined with sildenafil citrate (Viagra®).6

Despite the fact that ED drugs like Viagra® don't work for everyone and are associated with numerous side-effects, millions of men keep using them. Figures show that one out of every five men over the age of 40 has tried Viagra® with 48 percent experiencing at least one side effect.7 There seems to be a direct relationship between low testosterone levels and ED--especially in aging men.8 Even though this association is known, most specialists only perform serum testosterone level testing in the most complex cases of ED.9 Research presented in the International Journal of Impotence Research shows that testosterone supplements should be considered in the treatment of ED. The study indicated that testosterone therapy was able to alleviate ED in 34 percent of men who were unable to experience benefits from Viagra® alone.10

Thankfully nature has provided a few natural substances that can often give a man that extra lift (no pun intended) and a women extra help in restoring a lagging libido. I'm not talking about the numerous all hype with little to no action libido enhancing supplements that crowd store shelves these days, but instead proven nutrients--used by various cultures around the world for centuries--that truly provide results!

One such nutrient is a herb grown in Southeast Asia called Tongkat ali, which is believed to be one of the most powerful aphrodisiac plants on earth. Researchers from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, in Malaysia, discovered that the root of Tongkat ali is a potent stimulator of sexual arousal and The Asian Congress of Sexology published a paper in 2002 touting the incredible aphrodisiac and testosterone boosting powers of this amazing herb.11 Aside from this, the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported in 2003 that Tongkat ali was able to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat in men possibly by increasing testosterone.12 Needless to say, this incredible herb has gotten many a man and woman 'excited!'

Brad King, M.S., MFS
Performance Nutritionist
Nutritional Researcher
www.fatwars.com

References:

  1. Travison TG, et al. The relationship between libido and testosterone levels in aging men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jul;91(7):2509-13. Epub 2006 May 2.
  2. Guay AT, Jacobson J. Decreased free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels in women with decreased libido. J Sex Marital Ther. 2002;28 Suppl 1:129-42.
  3. Nathorst-Boos J, et al. Treatment with percutanous testosterone gel in postmenopausal women with decreased libido--effects on sexuality and psychological general well-being. Maturitas. 2006 Jan 10;53(1):11-8.
  4. Taken from www.viagra.com, Feb.,14th, 2007.
  5. Yassin AA, et al. Testosterone undecanoate restores erectile function in a subset of patients with venous leakage: a series of case reports. J Sex Med. 2006 Jul;3(4):727-35.
  6. Zhang XH, et al. Testosterone restores diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction and sildenafil responsiveness in two distinct animal models of chemical diabetes. J Sex Med. 2006 Mar;3(2):253-266
  7. www.usrf.org/breakingnews/bn_111202_viagra/bn_111202_viagra.html
  8. El-Sakka AI, Hassoba HM. Age related testosterone depletion in patients with erectile dysfunction. J Urol. 2006 Dec;176(6 Pt 1):2589-93.
  9. Gore J, Rajfer J. The role of serum testosterone testing: routine hormone analysis is an essential part of the initial screening of men with erectile dysfunction. Rev Urol. 2004 Fall;6(4):207-10.
  10. Hwang Ti-S , et al. Combined use of androgen and sildenafil for hypogonadal patients unresponsive to sildenafil alone. International Journal of Impotence Research (2006) 18, 400-404.
  11. Ismail MTM. Proceedings paper: Asian Congress of Sexology. 2002.
  12. S. Hamzah, A. Yusof. The Ergogenic Effects Of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack: A Pilot Study Br J Sports Med 2003;37:464-470

 

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER -
Awaken Your Body with Brad King presents information and research which is intended to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All material in this article is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this newsletter. Readers should consult their doctor and other qualified health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided in this newsletter are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors. Readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions.
OK in Health is not responsible for the information in these articles and for any content included on this article is intended as a guide only and should not be used as an to seeking professional advice from either your doctor or a registered specialist for yourself or anyone else.