Study Done at Pennsylvania State University

In a recent study conducted at the Pennsylvania State University, it was discovered that eating pistachio nuts daily (combined also with a wholesome and low fat diet, resulted in a greatly reduced (bad, or LDL cholesterol) cholesterol level. This means with a lower bad cholesterol level, the arteries remain open and the heart operating properly.

Quoting the lead researcher, Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, “Our study has shown that pistachios, eaten with a healthy heart diet, may decrease a person’s cardiovascular disease risk profile.”

She went on to say that, “Pistachios are rich in an antioxidant called lutein, usually found in green leafy vegetables and brightly colored fruit.

Present at higher levels in the pistachio than other nuts, lutein helps prevent cholesterol from clogging up arteries”

Even more interesting was the fact the more pistachios the study volunteers ate, the better their test results.

Pistachios and Europe, the Middle-East and Asia

Known as common wisdom to all males from the Middle-East and Asia, eating pistachios increases the male potential, is known for increasing the amount and quality of a man’s sperm, and erective quality.

The ancient Greeks and Romans knew also of this phenomenon, and included the pistachio in both their daily food and sweets.

It was known in conventional wisdom to protect one’s health

The study done now at Pennsylvania State University adds some important scientific proof to this food’s healthful qualities.

The Elixir of Life

To make this life-saving and sexually enhancing elixis, you will need to start with unsalted dry roasted pistachios, about one cup full (and de-shelled) added to an equal amount of natural organic honey.

Buy only the highest quality organic honey. Mix the pistachios and honey together, then put the mixture into a glass jar, filled to the brim and capped tightly.

Now expose the jar to the sun for one week. Naturally the best time to make this mixture is during the summer months. The elixir is ready after one week.

Each morning eat two tablespoons of the elixir with some organic yogurt. Be ready to see your erections react in a very positive and dramatic way.

More Pistachios in Your Diet

We recommend besides the elixir, to eat a handful of dry roasted unsalted pistachios daily as a snack. In this way, you not only achieve an increase in your masculine potential, but also are in the process of protecting your heart.

Other dietary suggestions include the addition of pistachio nuts to salads, sprinkled on low-fat cottage cheese, and eaten together with grapes when they are in season.

From time to time, and if available in your location, there are many Turkish and Middle-Eastern pasty based on the inclusion of pistachio nuts. Even with the sugar, the positive effect on cholesterol is achieved.

About the AuthorMORE FREE CRITICAL INFO ON MALE LIBIDOOn all aspects of male libido and everything to do with male sexual health visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/

Improve Your Sex Life

TOO TIRED FOR SEX?
 
Although men apparently think about it every five minutes and it’s essential for the continuation of the human race, our sex drives are on the wane. And while sexual impotence is more physically obvious in men, more women are experiencing it too. So what’s going on?

Sex drive is a complex issue. Desire is not only generated by the excitement and feelings you get when you fancy someone but it is also a question of physiological processes that are essential for that desire to be translated into actually wanting to have sex. Surveys are showing that nearly a third of women never reach orgasm and a fifth don’t enjoy their sex life. And although many men suffer from erectile dysfunction (not being able to have or sustain an erection), many more are finding their libido is low in the first place.
 
Every system of the body suffers when you are sub-optimally nourished. Optimum nutrition not only helps maintain your sexual performance and enjoyment it also can also help relieve many sexual problems.

Erectile dysfunction
 
There’s nothing more than a fear of failure to ‘perform’ to put a man off sex. Like most forms of sexual problems, the inability to have or to sustain an erection can be caused by both psychological and physical factors. Physical problems can be due to drug side effects (e.g. beta blockers, antidepressants), atherosclerosis (blockage of the artery to the penis), diabetes, nerve damage (e.g. in multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries) but also due to low testosterone.

The Importance of Nitric Oxide

A substance called nitric oxide (NO) is responsible for controlling the physiological circumstances that generate and maintain an erection such as increasing blood supply to the penis and restricting the blood flow from it. NO molecules are produced in the penile artery wall from the amino acid arginine in response to nervous signals stimulated by sexual stimulation. The NO then triggers the dilation of the arteries, increasing blood flow into the penis. Blood flow is also vital for a women’s sensitivity.  The way Viagra works is by blocking the production of an enzyme that allows blood to drain from the genitals but a more natural approach is to take herbs and nutrients that help maintain normal, healthy NO levels. Supplementing the amino acid arginine (found in nuts and seeds such as almonds, Brazils, pumpkin and sunflower) from which nitric oxide is made, can help. I recommend 2 grams a day.

Natural aphrodisiacs – do they work?

There are several so-called natural sex drive enhancers around, all of which claim to make bedtime (or perhaps any time) more alluring. B vitamins are needed for testosterone production, adrenal support, energy production and healthy nerves. Testosterone deficiency causes low sex drive in both men and women. So you could take a high strength multivitamin containing antioxidants and an essential omega 3 and 6 supplement. On the herb front, there’s Ginseng, Muira puama and Maca as well as Damiana. The most interesting of these is Muira puama and Damiana.

Need to spice up your sex life? All the ingredients you need may be found at your local grocery store.

Like many aspects of health, our sex drive is affected by what we put into our bodies. Certain foods affect the body in different ways. Depending on what you consume, wining and dining a date can induce more sleep than romance. A big, fancy dinner, a bottle of wine and fine chocolates may sound sweet — but such meals are actually little more than empty calories.

To really get your blood going, consider circulation-enhancing dishes. Food that’s high in Omega-3 fatty acids such as mackerel, salmon and wild salmon are best. “Omega-3 makes your nervous system function better,” says Dr. Barbara Bartlik, assistant professor of psychiatry and sex therapist with the Human Sexuality Program at Weill Cornell Medical Center. “Sex is really about circuitry.” Multivitamins and minerals will help, too. Both improve neurological function, which contributes to good circulation.

Grab some granola
Improved circulation results in greater erectile response. To accomplish that, go for food rich in L-Arginine, such as granola, oatmeal, peanuts, cashews, walnuts, dairy, green vegetables, root vegetables, garlic, ginseng, soybeans, chickpeas and seeds. Studies show that L-Arginine is helpful for improving sexual function in men. There haven’t been studies done on women — but remember, erectile response isn’t just a guy thing. “Women have erections too: in their clitoris and the tissue surrounding the vulva,” says Bartlik.

Humans have sought ways to enhance or improve their sex lives for millennia — and have never been reluctant to spend money to make themselves better lovers. The ancient Romans were said to prefer such exotic aphrodisiacs as hippo snouts and hyena eyeballs. Traditional Chinese medicine espoused the use of such rare delicacies as rhino horn. Modern lovers are no less extravagant. In 2005, for example, according to Amsterdam-based health care information company Wulters Kluwer, Americans spent just under $1.4 billion to treat male sexual dysfunction disorders alone.

Of that amount, Viagra rang up $1.2 billion in sales for Pfizer, or 60 percent of the total market. Among the other drugs trying to find their way into American’s bedside tables and back pockets are Levitra and Cialis.

There is a difference, of course, between helping sexual dysfunction and arousing our passions.

Aphrodisiacs, for the most part, have been shown to be ineffective. Named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sex and beauty, these include an array of herbs, foods and other “agents” that are said to awaken and heighten sexual desire. But the 5,000-year tradition of using them is based more on folklore than real science. “There is no data and no scientific evidence,” says Leonore Tiefer, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. “Product pushers are very eager to capitalize on myths,” she says.

Most libido-enhancing products offer short term benefit at best, according to Dr. John Mulhall, director of the Sexual Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian and associate professor of urology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Mulhall, who also sits on the Nutraceuticals Committee of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, says, “Every year, we review the literature on these compounds — these nutraceuticals like nitric oxide and ginseng — and there are none that have really been shown to be more than a placebo.”

When it comes to sexual function, the placebo effect probably accounts for 30 percent of improvements in men and around 50 percent in women, he says. That means there are a lot of people out there who believe a pill they are taking or a food they are eating is doing a lot of good for them sexually. In reality, their mind is doing all the work.

So, besides renting “The Story of O” and opening a bottle of red wine, what can people do to kick-start their sex life?

For a good time, try soy
One thing they can do is change their diet. Soy, for example, binds estrogen receptors, which helps the vaginal area remain lubricated and combats symptoms of menopause — particularly hot flashes. Studies have shown that soy is also beneficial to the prostate, a crucial male sex organ. However, it’s important to note that women who have a history of breast cancer should not eat large amounts of soy, because the binding of estrogen receptors actually increases the risk of reoccurrence.

Foods that promote weight loss also hold libido-boosting potential. “There has been very solid research showing that obesity is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction and low testosterone,” says Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, director of the New York Center for Human Sexuality and associate professor of urology at Columbia University’s medical school. “Reducing weight,” he says, “results in an increase of testosterone, and thus an increase in sexual function.”

‘Good for your heart, good for your penis’
“From an erection standpoint, anything that’s good for your heart is good for your penis,” says Dr. Mulhall. Too much saturated fat can, over time, clog arteries and, in doing so, prevent an adequate flow of blood from reaching the genital region. This not only interferes with the ability to perform, but also with sexual pleasure. Too little fat, on the other hand, is also bad.

Go dancing. Whether you go by yourself or with a partner, whether you dance well or not, dancing creates sex appeal. It’s also an easy way to meet people. Dancing also builds confidence which is extremely important to a good sex life.

Work Out. Working out helps create a sexy body. It gives you the energy and stamina to have sex for long periods of time. It gives you flexibility to get into some of those positions you’ve often wondered about. You feel better about yourself when you work out causing you to be able to get in the mood more often. Couples working out together can create a tighter bond in their relationship. Working out also boosts your self-esteem which is a critical component to having a good sex life.

Music. There are all types of music and ways that it can help in the sex department. During the physical sex act itself, just the rhythm of music can synchronize your internal physiological state and cause you to be in perfect timing with each other. Music can create the mood for sex, particularly some Sade or Marvin Gaye. Very tranquil music can also create an atmosphere of peace and calm which can be a nice setting for sex. Additionally the words within some songs trigger emotions and feelings of sensuality.

Learn various ways to give yourself an orgasm. In most cases, until you learn how to do it yourself, no one else can do it for you. Sometimes there are a variety of ways to stimulate yourself to an orgasm. It helps to know what feels good first before trying to show somebody else or much less explain it to them. Then, teach your partner how to give you an orgasm. Before delving straight into intercourse, one of the best and easiest ways to develop intimacy and mutual pleasure is to show your partner those various ways you like to be touched and have them bring you to orgasm both manually and orally.

Communicate. Challenge yourself to give very specific requests to your partner to perform sexual pleasures. Use only verbal instructions, without showing them or touching them. Don’t ever give up. This is a great exercise to learn to see the results of what you are communicating.

Play games. If you want to lighten things up a bit or bring about a little variety to your sex life, play a sex game. There are plenty of games you can buy at game stores or online that will stimulate anyone’s fancy. You can play them one-on-one or you can play with a group of people. They can be fun and arousing. They are designed to break up any nervous tension you might have about trying new things. You can also play other “regular” games like monopoly or poker with a spin. Be creative.

Share fantasy’s. Make it a point to tell each other at least one fantasy that you can imagine them filling one day. Make it safe to share by listening to their fantasy. Be vulnerable when sharing. Sometimes it helps to explain how the fantasy came about. Don’t share any fantasy’s that you are not sure you are ready to experience because this could lead to a misunderstanding. Or at least be very specific that you are not ready for that fantasy to be fulfilled.

Positions. There are hundreds, if not thousands of books on the various sexual positions. Every bedroom should be equipped with at least one. When you get bored with your more “typical” positions, you can simply go to the book and find something new to try together. Sometimes it may be just for the fun or challenge of it and wont necessarily lead to orgasm. Trying new positions together may generate laughter and is also a form of bonding and intimacy.

Wear sexy clothes. Do you find yourself getting comfortable in the company of your partner, wearing oversized around-the-house clothing. Do you remember how you dressed when you first met? There’s something sexy about dressing up for each other. It shows care and consideration and when you put some effort into how you look, like it did when you first met.

Be honest about what turns you on and what doesn’t. If there’s that one thing your partner keeps doing that you really don’t get any excitement from, it’s better to tell them than to stay frustrated. Also, if there is something you think you’d really like for them to do with you, tell them. Confidence is extremely important to a good sex life.

Freshen up. Good hygiene is important and sexy. It’s a great habit to always be prepared to be kissed all over your body. Make sure your mouth is clean and that your genitals are clean. You never know when you’ll be caught in the mood and it’s so much nicer for the kisser and as well as the one being kissed to know that you are clean and fresh.

Sensual Massage. This is one great way to get in the mood or put your partner in the mood. Once the massage begins with the back, then the back of the legs, you can lead to other more sensitive parts of the body. You can use sensual oils and aromatherapy oils to aid in creating that special state of mind. Sometimes just the relaxing effect of a massage can calm you down enough to feel those intimate feelings. A word of caution however, you can go overboard with relaxing your partner and put them right to sleep so make sure you incorporate something in your technique to keep them and yourself aroused.

Leave love notes. There is something stimulating, simply knowing that your partner was thoughtful enough to write down on paper that he or she is thinking about you. - Leaving love notes describing how sexy they are or what you have planned to do with their body that night is very sexy.

Look into each others eyes. That’s right, it’s okay to peek when you’re kissing and especially when you are making love. Try to keep your eyes open and look into your partners eyes right at the point of orgasm. Always look into your partners eyes when speaking with them.

Practice deep breathing. You can actually get a little more stimulation just from the way you breath. You can take in a deep breath and imagine as you are inhaling, sending the breath down to your genitals. It is amazing what happens. You can not only increase the feelings of stimulation, but you wake up the kundilini (Sexual) energy. Some people can have orgasms by deep breathing with no other stimulation at all.

Practice Visualization. Visualize yourself having the best orgasm of your life. Also visualize this for your partner. Mentally rehearse for great sex. Visualize your body parts being stimulated with sexual energy. See yourself as a great lover.

Take time for yourself. It takes energy to be around other people. Sometimes we feed off of each others energy. Other times it’s out of balance and so the demands of being around another person or the same person all the time can take it.

Watching a Romantic Movie. Can definately rekindle that romantic sparkle. Gives you creative ideas to bring the romance back into your life, which ultimately leads to more pleasureable sex.

Communicate. Challenge yourself to give very specific requests to your partner to perform sexual pleasures. Use only verbal instructions, without showing them or touching them. Don’t ever give up. This is a great exercise to learn to see the results of what you are communicating.

Take a Retreat together. Maybe one where you learn about Tantric Sex or Kuma Sutra. But any kind of personal growth retreat will certainly deepen the emotional and spiritual bonds and invite more passion into your life.

Share fantasy’s. Make it a point to tell each other at least one fantasy that you can imagine them filling one day. Make it safe to share by listening to their fantasy. Be vulnerable when sharing. Sometimes it helps to explain how the fantasy came about. Don’t share any fantasy’s t every crevasse of each others bodies. You can do this one at the same time or take turns being the one being explored. Put your finger into their belly button, not too deep. Examine their genitals very thoroughly and explore the anus. Notice every freckle and every scar. You can reach new levels of intimacy by exploring the body at new levels.

Take a bubble bath together. There is almost nothing more sexually arousing than to sit in a warm bubble bath together. The intimacy of sitting naked in the same bath water creates a wonderful bond. It gets particularly arousing when you include washing each others bodies, paying particular attention to the genital area.