Vitamins and trace elements related to sexual function and foods that help restore sexual function

(4) Supplement with vitamins and trace elements related to sexual function.

Zinc deficiency can lead to decreased sexual and reproductive function. Animal organs, lean meat, oysters, milk, beans, potatoes, brown sugar, and apples are rich in zinc. Vitamins A and E both have anti-aging and anti-sexual function decline effects. Poultry eggs, dairy products, fish, crab, shellfish, leeks, celery, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, dried chili peppers, and tomatoes contain vitamin A, while wheat germ, egg yolks, beans, sesame seeds, peanuts, vegetable oils, wheat germ, and oatmeal are rich in vitamin E. Vitamin C also plays a positive role in maintaining sexual function. Foods rich in vitamin C include fresh dates, hawthorn, kiwifruit, chili peppers, and various vegetables and fruits. In addition, slippery aquatic products (such as eels, loaches, and mudfish) also have aphrodisiac effects and can be selected appropriately. It is worth noting that when choosing animal organs, one should pay attention to blood cholesterol levels to avoid compromising health, as animal organs are high in cholesterol.

(5) Develop a healthy eating habit

Nutritionists point out that a healthy diet should include at least three aspects. First, reduce high-calorie foods. The percentage of the three macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates, and protein) in total daily calories should be 20%–30% fat, 55%–60% carbohydrates, and 10%–15% protein. Protein intake should be roughly equal to animal and plant protein, meaning that grains, including rice, steamed buns, and oatmeal, should be the main component of the diet. Vegetables and fruits are the main sources of vitamins and minerals. Sufficient fiber intake is also essential, properly balanced, and tailored to individual eating habits. Second, reduce high-cholesterol foods. Daily cholesterol intake should not exceed 300mg, equivalent to the cholesterol content of one egg. Third, limit sodium intake; ideally, no more than 6g of salt per person per day.

At first glance, a balanced diet and a diet that enhances sexual function seem contradictory, but this is not the case. A balanced diet is a prerequisite for healthy sexual function, because only by ensuring overall health can good sexual function be guaranteed. Under this premise, one can appropriately choose foods that enhance sexual function, but there is no need to excessively consume unsuitable foods in pursuit of improved sexual function, such as consuming large amounts of animal organs when blood lipids are high. In short, a balanced diet promotes sexual health.

Foods that help restore sexual function

Food therapy is worse than medication, because long-term use of any drug can have different side effects on the body. Choosing the following foods appropriately on a daily basis is a wise move to help restore sexual function.

Shrimp: Shrimp is delicious and has high nutritional and medicinal value. Traditional Chinese medicine believes it is sweet and salty in taste, and warm in nature, possessing the functions of invigorating yang and kidneys, replenishing essence, and promoting lactation. Regular consumption of shrimp can strengthen the body and enhance sexual function.

Loach: Loach contains high-quality protein, fat, vitamin A, vitamin B, niacin, iron, phosphorus, calcium, etc. It has a sweet taste and neutral properties, and is believed to invigorate the spleen and replenish qi, nourish the kidneys and promote sperm production. It is also said to have a good effect on regulating sexual function. Loach contains a special protein that promotes sperm formation. Regular consumption of loach can nourish and strengthen the body.

Donkey meat: Donkey meat is delicious and is a type of meat that is high in protein, low in fat, and low in cholesterol. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that donkey meat is sweet and cool in nature, and has the effects of replenishing qi and blood, nourishing yin and strengthening yang, calming the mind and relieving irritability. Donkey kidneys are sweet and warm in nature, and have the effects of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang, as well as strengthening muscles and bones. They can treat impotence, lower back and knee weakness, and other symptoms.

Oysters are rich in zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, high-quality protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients. Traditional Chinese medicine considers them salty and slightly cold in nature, possessing the effects of nourishing yin and suppressing yang, tonifying the kidneys and astringing essence. Regular consumption of oysters can improve sexual function and sperm quality. They are effective in treating male spermatorrhea, general weakness and fatigue, and kidney deficiency-related impotence.

Quail: Quail meat is tender and flavorful, fragrant but not greasy, and has always been considered a top-grade wild fowl. Quail meat is not only delicious and nutritious, but also contains various inorganic salts, lecithin, hormones, and many essential amino acids. Quail meat and eggs are excellent tonics with strengthening and invigorating effects. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that quail meat can "nourish the five internal organs, benefit essence and blood, warm the kidneys and invigorate yang," and regular consumption of quail can enhance sexual function, increase energy, and strengthen muscles and bones.

Eggs: Eggs are a nutritional carrier for human sexual function and the best "restorative agent" for recovering energy after sexual activity. Arabs traditionally eat scallion-fried eggs a few days before their wedding to ensure a fulfilling wedding night. Indian doctors recommend that couples drink rice porridge made with eggs, milk, and honey before sexual intercourse. In my country, there is also a custom of serving fried eggs at the wedding dinner. Especially for newlyweds who have frequent sexual activity and experience significant physical exertion, eating eggs helps them quickly recover their strength.

Snake meat: When two snakes mate, it can last for a very long time (vipers can mate for 6 to 24 hours). Eating snake meat can effectively prolong the duration of sexual intercourse.

Pigeon meat: Pigeons have a high reproductive rate and strong libido, mating frequently due to their exceptionally high levels of sex hormones. Therefore, pigeons are considered a powerful tonic for boosting yang energy and strengthening the body, believed to replenish kidney qi and enhance sexual function. Pigeon eggs are even more beneficial than pigeon meat. Studies have shown that pigeon eggs, like pigeon meat, are rich in protein, vitamins, and iron, making them highly nutritious.

Lychee: Lychee contains malic acid, citric acid, free amino acids, fructose, glucose, iron, calcium, phosphorus, carotene, vitamin B, vitamin C, and pectin, among other components. It can improve sexual function, alleviate anemia, and relieve symptoms such as lower back and knee pain, insomnia, and forgetfulness caused by kidney yang deficiency.

Leeks: Analysis shows that every 500g of leeks contains over 10g of protein, 3g of fat, 19g of carbohydrates, 280mg of calcium, 225mg of phosphorus, 6.5mg of iron, 95mg of vitamin C, and 17.5mg of carotene (the highest content among leafy vegetables, except for alfalfa sprouts). Modern medical research has proven that leeks, in addition to containing a relatively high amount of fiber, also contain volatile oils and sulfur compounds, which have the effects of promoting appetite, sterilization, and lowering blood lipids. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "leeks warm the middle and lower qi, replenish deficiency, harmonize the internal organs, improve appetite, and benefit yang." According to *Ben Cao Shi Yi* (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica), leek seeds are a stimulant with effects such as strengthening essence, boosting yang, tonifying the kidneys, treating leukorrhea, and warming the waist and knees, and are suitable for conditions such as impotence, spermatorrhea, and frequent urination.

Lamb kidneys, also known as lamb loins, are rich in protein, fat, vitamins A, E, and C, as well as calcium, iron, and phosphorus. Traditional Chinese medicine considers them sweet and warm in nature, possessing the effects of nourishing essence and blood, and strengthening yang and tonifying the kidneys. The *Rihua Materia Medica* states that lamb kidneys can "replenish deficiencies and weakness of yin, strengthen yang and benefit the kidneys." They are suitable for those suffering from kidney deficiency and impotence.

Goji berries contain carotene, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₁, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, various free amino acids, linoleic acid, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and other components. They have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that goji berries are sweet in taste and neutral in nature, entering the liver, kidney, and lung meridians. They have the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting essence and improving eyesight, harmonizing blood and moisturizing dryness, beautifying the skin and complexion, and strengthening the body and darkening hair. They are a healthy medicine for improving male and female sexual function. They can be used to treat liver and kidney yin deficiency, dizziness, blurred vision, seminal emission, impotence, sallow complexion, dry and yellow hair, soreness of the waist and knees, yin deficiency cough, and diabetes in the elderly. Modern medical research has found that goji berries can enhance the body's immune function, strengthen the body's resistance, promote cell regeneration, lower blood cholesterol levels, resist arteriosclerosis, improve skin elasticity, and resist organ and skin aging. Regular consumption of goji berries can delay aging, beautify the skin and complexion, and improve sexual function.

Seafood: Fish, shrimp, shellfish, and seaweed. In ancient Roman times, people discovered that seafood was an ideal food for nourishing libido, especially shark meat, which still enjoys a reputation as a sexual "catalyst" today. Scientific research has proven that seafood is rich in phosphorus and zinc, which are very important for the sexual health of both men and women, and are known as "sexual harmony elements for couples." Generally speaking, men who are deficient in zinc will experience a decrease in sperm count and quality, accompanied by severe decline in sexual and reproductive function, while women will experience symptoms such as weight loss and reduced vaginal lubrication during intercourse. In addition, seaweed contains more iodine than other plants and animals. Iodine deficiency or insufficiency can lead to miscarriage, male sexual dysfunction, and decreased libido. Therefore, even if you cannot eat seafood frequently, you should regularly eat seaweed such as kelp, nori, and wakame.

Pine nuts: Pine nuts are an important aphrodisiac food. Modern medical research has found that pine nuts contain a relatively high amount of unsaturated fatty acids, high-quality protein, various vitamins and minerals. They can improve the body's immune function, delay aging, eliminate skin wrinkles, moisturize and beautify the skin, and enhance sexual function. They are especially a good tonic and health care product for middle-aged and elderly people.

Honey: Honey contains reproductive gland hormones, which have significant biological activity in activating the gonads. Those whose sexual function has declined due to weakness or old age can benefit from consuming honey products in moderation.

Nuts: Sexologists have discovered that prostate diseases are extremely rare among certain ethnic groups that frequently consume pumpkin seeds. This is because pumpkin seeds contain a mysterious substance that can influence the production of male hormones. In addition, sunflower seeds, walnuts, wheat, sesame seeds, almonds, peanuts, and pine nuts also help enhance sexual function.

Scallions: Scallions have long been considered a symbol of love and sexual desire. They are highly nutritious and can positively stimulate libido. Studies have shown that the enzymes and various vitamins in scallions can ensure normal hormone secretion in the body, thus enhancing virility and nourishing yin.

Chocolate: Chocolate is more than just a food that brings happiness. Nutritionists believe that the components in chocolate can stabilize nerves and help open the senses, making people more eager for sexual pleasure. In Western countries, since the 15th century, chocolate has been regarded as a nutritious food that stimulates sexual desire, especially in Spain, where it has been used for generations as a stimulant. Chocolate is the best gift to bring lovers sexual happiness on Valentine's Day.