Fastening intervals in eating might rekindle your sexual appetite

Fastening intervals in eating might rekindle your sexual appetite

Feeling Less Frisky? Intermittent Fasting Might Help

Sex drive can dip for numerous reasons like stress, medical conditions, or lifestyle habits. But don't write it off as just a part of getting older. A healthy sex life benefits brain health, reduces blood pressure, and lowers heart disease risks.

Luckily, there are some simple strategies to revive your passion. One unexpected method might be intermittent fasting, a dietary pattern that recent research suggests could improve sexual desire.

The Hidden Sex Boost

Researchers from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases weren't initially looking into intermittent fasting's impact on libido. Instead, they were studying how fasting affected the offspring of male mice.

In their studies, they stumbled upon an interesting finding: older male mice subjected to extended fasting periods exhibited a noticeable increase in sexual activity, resulting in more offspring compared to their younger counterparts. When they tested younger males on a 24-hour intermittent fasting regimen, these mice also demonstrated heightened sexual activity.

The Brain Chemistry Factor

What caused this increase in sex drive? The scientists uncovered a crucial discovery: lower levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin were linked to fasting. Serotonin is often associated with inhibiting sexual activity.

By reducing their food intake, particularly tryptophan (the amino acid precursor to serotonin), the male mice maintained lower serotonin levels, resulting in diminished regulatory restraint on sexual urges. Dr. Dan Ehninger, the lead researcher, explained these mice were essentially sexually uninhibited.

Embrace the Fast Life

The implications of these findings could extend to humans. If you're looking to reignite your sex life, intermittent fasting could be worth a try. If a complete 24-hour fast once or twice a week sounds daunting, even shorter fasting windows might provide benefits.

Research shows that other fasting methods can improve overall health and well-being, including lowering inflammation, promoting weight loss, and regulating blood sugar. For instance, consider adopting an eight-hour daily eating window followed by a 16-hour fast, or try a calorie-restricted plan of 500-600 calories for two non-consecutive days each week.

Beyond Fasting

Intermittent fasting isn't for everyone. However, there are other ways to boost a waning sex drive, such as engaging in regular exercise, which boosts testosterone and energy levels while helping shed excess weight, positively impacting libido.

Certain foods and nutrients can also enhance sex drive and function. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli help combat estrogen dominance, which can lower testosterone. Watermelon contains L-citrulline, which boosts testosterone and aids with erections due to its arginine conversion in the body. Beets and beet juice help the body produce nitric oxide, and the Mediterranean diet, featuring olive oil, may reduce the odds of ED by 40%.

By incorporating intermittent fasting with regular exercise and a diet rich in libido-boosting foods, you can take proactive steps toward revitalizing your sex drive. Consult your doctor if you suspect medication or a health condition may be affecting your sex life.

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References:

• Intermittent fasting increases sex drive in male mice: an approach for low libido in humans? - EurekAlert!
• 7+ longevity, weight loss and disease-fighting benefits of alternate-day fasting - Easy Health Options
• The diet shown to help shrink cancer and decrease damage from chemo - Easy Health Options
• The fast answer to beating type 2 diabetes - Easy Health Options
• The fast way to douse disease-fueling inflammation - Easy Health Options

1. The science behind intermittent fasting suggests it might improve sexual desire in humans, similar to the increase seen in male mice subjected to fasting periods.
2. The lower levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin linked to fasting may be responsible for the heightened sexual activity observed in the mice, as serotonin is often associated with inhibiting sexual activity.
3. If you're considering revitalizing your sex drive, intermittent fasting could be a simple strategy to try, and other methods such as regular exercise, a diet rich in libido-boosting foods, and certain supplements may also provide benefits.
4. By maintaining a balanced approach that includes intermittent fasting, regular exercise, and a nutritious diet, you can take proactive steps towards improving brain health, fitness-and-exercise performance, and overall health-and-wellness, including sexual-health.

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