Dr. Bob talks about good food and great sex with Kelly Conners of realwomenonhealth blog talk radio!

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Original Air Date: February 10, 2010
Great Food, Great Sex: 3 Food Factors for Sexual Fitness

It’s not all in your head, and it’s not a sign of age. And, it’s not even a lack of interest. About seventy million American men and women have problems in the bedroom that start in the kitchen. Join health psychologists Drs. Lynn Nezin and Bob Fried to learn about food plan for sexual vitality. Robert Fried, Ph.D., is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist, professor of biopsychology and neuroscience at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), and Doctoral Faculty in Biopsychology and Neuroscience, CUNY. As the former director of the Stress and Biofeedback Clinic at the Albert Ellis Institute for Rational and Emotive Behavioral Therapy, NYC, Dr. Fried taught the stress-reduction techniques he developed to his private and corporate clients. In addition to University teaching duties and his clinical practice, Dr. Fried, as consultant to the “nutraceuticals” industry, has developed a number of widely sold sexual vitality-enhancing dietary health products. He is the author of a number of book including his most recent, “Human Sexuality” (Whittier, 2010), and “Great Food, Great Sex” with Dr. Nezin (Random House, 2006), “The Arginine Solution” (Warner Books, 1999), and his popular stress-reduction book, “Breathe Well, Be Well” (John Wiley, 1999). In addition, he has authored several textbooks and more than fifty scientific journal articles. Lynn Nezin, PhD, holds a doctorate in clinical health psychology. She is a senior strategic planner at Medicus Life Brands in New York City. She is the former assistant to the president of the American Health Foundation. Dr. Nezin’s research includes body image in older women, nutrition in diabetes and cardiovascular Tune in to learn more about cardiosexual nutrition.

“Dr. Bob welcomes your questions about sexuality and will strive to answer them with the most up to date available medical/scientific information. Wherever possible, the scientific source(s) of the information is provided for your information. Answers to your individual questions represent generally accepted current conventional psychological and health science theory and practice but they are not intended to propose diagnoses or specific treatments. In all cases consultation with a medical or other health services provider is highly recommended.”

Q.  What is the difference between “supporting healthy erectile function” and “treating erectile dysfunction”?

A. US government and state laws restrict the way that professions and commerce may use certain terms including the term treatment.  For instance, anyone who holds a doctorate degree from an institution granted the right to award it can lawfully use the title “doctor.”  However, this does not entitle anyone to practice medical treatment or prescribe treatment medications without a valid license.  The treatment of any medical condition including prescribing medication is reserved by law to medicine.  On the other hand, a psychologist can employ non-medical means to treat emotional and behavioral disorders.

Erectile function is not a medical condition so anyone who claims a safe method to improve it can legally claim to “support” it.  On the other hand, erectile dysfunction (ED) was considered a psychological disorder long before it became a medical condition.  As a result, a licensed or certified psychologist can treat it with psychological techniques, and a physician can treat it as a medical disorder with prescription medications or other medical or surgical means.

While the law has an interest in safety and claims of efficacy (truth in advertising), it often allows the market to determine exactly how effective anything is that is said to “support healthy sexual function.”  It is assumed that if it is found by consumers to do that, then they will most likely continue to use it whereas it fails to satisfy “support” claims, they may soon discount its use.  That’s how “free markets” should work.

Since the 1980s, L-arginine, as used in conventional medicine, has been scientifically proven to be an effective treatment for a host of medical disorders including:

• Hypertension,⁽¹⁾
• coronary heart disease (CHD),⁽²⁾
• elevated serum LDL cholesterol (hyperlipidemia),⁽³⁾
• erectile dysfunction (ED),⁽⁴⁾
• Type II diabetes,⁽⁵⁾ and
• kidney disease,⁽⁶⁾ and
• preeclampsia ⁽⁷⁾ to name just a few.

… as reported in conventional medical publications (See below).  However, the typical consumer supplementation of L-arginine is not considered treatment under medical supervision and therefore it can only be claimed to “support healthy erectile function.”

In any case federal authorities do not now recognize L-arginine dietary supplement products to be a valid medical treatment for ED and therefore, allegations of its effectiveness notwithstanding, labels for the product can only legally state that it “supports healthy erectile function” even were it recommended by your physician.

[(1) See:  N. Gokce (2004). Supplement: Arginine Metabolism: Enzymology, Nutrition, and Clinical Significance: L-Arginine and Hypertension.   Journal of Nutrition, 134, 2807S-2811S (October 2004).]

[(2) See: Adams, M. R., McCredie, R., Jessup, W., Robinson, J., Sullivan, D., & D. S. Celermajer (1997). Oral L-arginine improves endothelium-dependent dilatation and reduces monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in young men with coronary artery disease.  Atherosclerosis, 129, 261-269.]

[(3) See:  Clarkson, P., Adams, M. R., Powe, A. J., Donald, A. E., McCredie, R., Robinson, J., McCarthy, S. N., Keech, A., Celermajer, D. S., & J. E. Deanfield (1996).  Oral L-arginine improves endothelium-dependent dilation in hypercholesterolemic young adults.  Journal of Clinical Investigation, 97, 1989–1994.]

[(4) See:  Zorgniotti, A. W., & E. F. Lizza (1994). Effect of large doses of the nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine, on erectile dysfunction,” International Journal of Impotence Research, 6, 33-35.]

[(5) See:  Lucotti, P., Setola, E., Monti, L. D., Galluccio, E., Costa, S., Sandoli, E. P., Fermo, I., Rabaiotti, G., Gatti, R., & P. Piatti (2006).  Beneficial effects of a long-term oral L-arginine treatment added to a hypocaloric diet and exercise training program in obese, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patients. American Journal of Physiology:  Endocrinology & Metabolism, 291, E906-12.]

[(6) See:  Tarumoto, T., Imagawa, S., Kobayashi, M., Hirayama, A., Ozawa, K., & T. Nagasawa (2007). L-arginine administration reverses anemia associated with renal disease.  International Journal of Hematology, 86, 126-129.]

[(7) See:  Rytlewski, K., Olszanecki, R., Korbut, R., & Z. Zdebski (2005).  Effects of prolonged oral supplementation with l-arginine on blood pressure and nitric oxide synthesis in preeclampsia.  European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 35, 32-7.]

“Dr. Bob welcomes your questions about sexuality and will strive to answer them with the most up to date available medical/scientific information.  Wherever possible, the scientific source(s) of the information is provided for your information.  Answers to your individual questions represent generally accepted current conventional psychological and health science theory and practice but they are not intended to propose diagnoses or specific treatments.  In all cases consultation with a medical or other health services provider is highly recommended.”

Q.  Can I improve my sex life through nutritional support?  What if it’s ok already?

A. If you are reasonably healthy, and as good as your sex life may already be, it can usually be made better yet by the proper kind of nutrition.

There are two ways to do that:  First, a nutrition plan that has the right balance of “greens and beans” as noted in my book, Great Food, Great Sex (Ballentine, 2006), does just that:  The recipes in that book aim to supply adequate amounts of foods rich in L-arginine, as well as antioxidant foods.  The foods rich in L-arginine fuel sexual vitality by supplying that all important nitric oxide (NO) needed in sexual arousal and performance vitality.  We call these foods, “beans,” but it is really about proteins including meat proteins.  However, we emphasize very moderate consumption of red meats due, in part, to the high levels of sodium they contain.

The foods called “greens” supply the antioxidants that protect your blood vessels from free radical damage.  Free radicals work in at least two ways:  First, they corrode the endothelium, the cell layer in your blood vessels that chemically extract NO from L-arginine.  Second, free radicals in blood cause fat cells to become rancid and so macrophages (immune system cells) gobble them up while trying to rid them from your blood stream.  In the process, they turn into the “puff-cells” that form the atherosclerotic plaque in blood vessel walls:  Atherosclerosis also damages the endothelium and there you have it—double whammy!

Second, supplementing your diet with L-arginine can also increase sexual vitality:  When you consume L-arginine about half the amount consumed becomes available to the endothelium.  Dietary supplementation of L-arginine adds to that available from food-borne L-arginine.

Caveat:  Most folks tolerate L-arginine quite well—either food-borne or as a dietary supplement—and they largely benefit from its consumption.  L-arginine is, after all, one of the components that make up protein.  It is found in varying quantity in many of our most common foods.  But a high L-arginine diet is not for everyone:  Individuals with active herpes, or those with certain forms of cancer (breast cancer in women) are cautioned to keep L-arginine consumption to a minimum.  A list of contraindications can be found in my book, The Arginine Solution (Warner Books, 1999).

by Robert Fried, PhD

Author of The Arginine Solution

It is common in our society to portray men in a near-constant state of sexual need, with their women counterparts being just one step behind them. Even the movies may feature actors, seemingly well past their prime, in steamy romantic scenes. This can make us ordinary guys feel pressured to perform. Fortunately, science offers us a key to renewed sexual performance.

Just say yes… to sexual performance.

Sexual Function is often termed “male performance.” Performance, of course, requires attaining and maintaining an erection – and this depends on getting an adequate blood supply to the right places at the right time.

Only recently have we understood the science behind sexual function. In the last decade, new discoveries led to the revelation that the blood supply required to power the act of sex is fueled by Nitric Oxide -”NO.” Basically, the body make NO from the amino acid L-Arginine, and when you are out of L-Arginine, you’re our of gas! The 1998 Nobel Prize was actually awarded to three American scientists behind these discoveries.

Real Health’s VasoRect Formulas supply the Arginine that’s essential to sexual function. By enhancing the blood supply to the sexual organs, these products help support sexual performance.

How is function different from desire?

Medical research now tells us that sexual function may decline with age often due to reduced blood supply to the sex organs. Sexual desire, on the other hand, is affected by emotions, hormones, and our personal and social norms and practices.

Diminishing sexual function is seldom due to lack of desire. When sexual function is disappointing, however, men may experience anxiety and, down the road, lose desire. That’s because we tend to avoid activities that may cause anxiety.

Both sexual performance and desire may rapidly return with the nutrient support provided by L-Arginine and other all-natural ingredients in the VasoRect product line. And, best of all, this product line offers you three distinct formulas, each designed with different levels of support for sexual function, energy and desire.

Additional tidbits of information

When you choose on of the VasoRect products to enhance your sexual performance, also remember that looking good and feeling good go hand hand-in-hand with looking and feeling sensuous. Keep in mind that some common preventable health hazards may interfere with looking and feeling good. Heed your doctor’s advice and avoid conditions that are know to contribute to blood vessel damage: Poor diet, elevated blood pressure, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption seem to be unparalleled in their ability to reduce sexual function over time.

If you’re taking prescription medications, as with any change to your regimen, be sure to let your pharmacist and doctor know that you are planning to adopt one of these natural formulas.

Bear in mind, nothing works for everyone. But if this works for you, and you want to write to us to rave about how it has benefited you, you won’t be the first – you’ll be joining others who’ve written us saying things like “I’ve got more bounce,” “its a sort of relaxed energy,” and “I didn’t know sexual health could make me feel good all over.”