Surprising aphrodisiac foods to get you in the mood

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Aphrodisiacs can stimulate a lagging libido or set the mood of your mind and body to help you achieve greater sexual health and functioning.

An aphrodisiac is a substance such as food, drink, drug or scent that induces or arouses feelings of sexual desire.  These substances are notorious for having a powerful impact on the mind and body – triggering the release of chemicals in the brain and stimulating the sex organs.

The most effective aphrodisiacs enhance aspects of the sensory experience, evoking an increase in sex drive, improvement in performance and helping you to achieve greater sexual satisfaction. Certain foods are believed to have aphrodisiac properties – being integrally tied to your mood and overall sense of well-being. Whether you want to boost fertility, improve the urge to merge or increase lubrication, these five foods will have you craving a little extra time between the sheets.

Avocado

Avocado is a rich source of vitamin E, aiding the body in the production of hormones like testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. These hormones circulate in your bloodstream and stimulate sexual responses, such as clitoral swelling and vaginal lubrication.

Eggs

Eggs are a reliable source of L-arginine, which when acted upon by enzymes in your body increase production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide has a dilating effect on the blood vessels. Many drugs used to treat impotence and high blood pressure work by raising nitric oxide levels, and many herbs and foods that enhance arousal work through the same mechanism.

Peaches

Peaches have high vitamin C content, which have been shown to improve sperm count and reduce sperm clumping. Plus, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant boosting immunity for you and your partner.

Dark chocolate

Researchers have found countless benefits linked to the consumption of chocolate, in moderate portions, including the high PEA (phenylethylamine) content. PEA fuels the release of endorphins and serotonin – natural mood-boosters – which will improve your longing for a little one-on-one time with your lover. Be certain to choose dark chocolates that contain at least 65 percent cacao.

Chile Peppers

Capsaicin, the chemical that makes peppers spicy, can spice up your sex drive.  This chemical increases circulation, which will get your blood pumping.  It also stimulates nerve endings that contribute to arousal. Next time you want to spice things up in the bedroom, make your meal fiery with red Chile peppers, jalapenos or the hot, hot habanero.

Dr. Jennifer Landa is Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD, the nation's largest franchise of physicians specializing in bioidentical hormone therapy. Dr. Jen spent 10 years as a traditional OB-GYN, and then became board-certified in regenerative medicine, with an emphasis on bio-identical hormones, preventative medicine and nutrition. She is the author of "The Sex Drive Solution for Women."  Learn more about her programs at www.jenlandamd.com. 

Dr. Jennifer Landa

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Fish and allergies? Surprising connection discovered

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The big question posed by researchers is whether fish intake in early childhood is associated with reducing the risk of allergies, and does this effect last during childhood?  

The study's authors in Sweden studied more than 3,000 young children and looked at the effect of regular fish ingestion and a lessening of the number of children with allergies, such as seasonal, indoor allergies and eczema.

This study showed that children who consumed at least two servings of fish monthly were up to 75 percent less likely to have allergy symptoms. Although most studies surrounding fish intake and allergies have been observational, there has been a shift in the thinking around introducing children to diverse foods at a young age.

Surprisingly, diets rich in fish (for children beginning around age one) are quite common in certain areas of the world. One such area is the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean diet stresses the importance of a diet focused mainly on: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, legumes, and seeds. Another important staple of this diet is (low-mercury) fish and seafood. 

Believers in this style of eating limit dairy to the occasional Greek-strained yogurt or fresh cheeses.

One study of approximately 460 children living in Minorca (Spanish island in the Mediterranean) found that children who ate a mostly plant-based diet were at least 62 percent less likely to suffer from asthmatic wheezing or allergies. This same study showed that kids who ate in excess of 60 grams of fish per day were 57 percent less likely to have positive allergy tests. 

The exact correlation between the Mediterranean style diet and allergies is unknown, but with findings like these on the rise we can be sure that more conclusive studies are on the horizon.

In the meantime, talk to your pediatrician or pediatric allergist before changing your child’s diet. Incorporating more plant-based foods has a positive effect on the overall health of everyone, so now that the warmer weather is here, there is no better time for a big salad with a drizzle of olive oil. 

Dr. Clifford Bassett is an adult and pediatric allergy specialist, and diplomat of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is the medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of NY.  Bassett is a clinical assistant professor of medicine and on the teaching faculty of NYU School of Medicine and NYU Langone Medical Center and assistant clinical professor of Medicine and Otolaryngology at SUNY LICH. Follow him on Twitter.

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The surprising truth about milk

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Sure, milk does a body good, but how much is enough? Also, what type should your child be drinking? And when is water a better option? Read on to find out – the answers might surprise you.

New guidelines for toddlers

It used to be that when a child turned 2, pediatricians would tell parents to switch them from whole milk to 2 percent milk – but that’s no longer the case. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued new recommendations in 2008 stating that after age 1, kids should drink skim or 1 percent milk.

So why the lag? “It’s going to take a while for that to shift, because the thinking had always been: Don’t put kids on a low fat or non-fat diet—they need fat,” said Dr. Laura Jana, a pediatrician, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and co-author of Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor, and a Bottle of Ketchup.

“Not all fat is created equal,” said Jana, who notes it’s more important to look at the amount of saturated fat versus the amount of total fat when it comes to milk. Monounsaturated fats like those found in olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds are the good fats that should be a part of a child’s diet.

In addition, the AAP recommends reduced-fat milk for children 1 to 2 years old who are at risk for being overweight or obese.

They’re probably drinking enough

Breast milk or formula is a big part of a baby’s diet, but after the age of 1, there’s no reason to be alarmed if the amount drops. “They just finished the fastest growth rate they’re going to have in that first year,” Jana said. She added that eating table food usually provides enough calories and nutrients for your baby to develop.  

Between ages 1 and 2, toddlers are also more active.  “They don’t eat as much and sometimes they don’t need as much,” Jana said.  

Iron and vitamin D is another issue when offering milk. Drinking milk is great for vitamin D, but drinking too much can decrease iron levels and may even lead to anemia. For children ages 2 to 5 years old, two cups a day and no more than 16 ounces is enough to maintain vitamin D and iron, according to a recent report in the journal Pediatrics.

After age 1, aim for two to three cups, or no more than 24 ounces a day. If your child’s eating yogurt and cheese, less is OK. For ages 2 to 8, aim for two cups and for ages 9 and older, three cups.

When it’s too much

Drinking milk all day long isn’t a good idea, especially because it can ruin a child’s appetite for meals. Also, bathing teeth consistently in milk’s natural sugars can lead to tooth decay.

A good rule of thumb is milk with meals and water with snacks, Jana suggests.  

During the warmer months or when your kids are playing outside, water is a better option than juice, milk or sugary drinks to keep them hydrated. “It keeps kids more focused on the drink for thirst,” Jana said. “If you get them in the habit of it, they like water.”

Julie Revelant is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, health, food and women's issues and a mom. Learn more about Julie at revelantwriting.com.

Julie Revelant

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