12 Top Foods To Increase

12 Top Foods To Increase - One of the most common problems faced by both men and women in today’s world is the reduction in sexual urge and desire or low libido. Sexual desire is an interest that develops in men or women to engage in sexual activities or create an interest in sexual objects. It can be triggered by both internal as well as external cues. If you are also feeling the decrease in the sex drive than before, then you might be facing some medical condition. There are many foods that will help in driving your sexual desire and increasing your libido. But, if these natural foods fail, then you need to consult a doctor.

Common Causes And Symptoms Of Low Libido

1. Job stress and peer pressure
2. Interpersonal relationship problems
3. Unresolved issues
4. Excess Alcohol
5. Lack of sleep
6. Parenting
7. Obesity
8. Depression
9. Thyroid disorders and fibroids
10. Certain medications
11. Erectile Dysfunction
12. Menopause
13. Lack of intimacy
14. Age
15. Low testosterone

Foods To Increase Sexual Drive

There many foods that can help you to naturally increase your sexual appetite and spice up your sex life. The following are the foods that will help in safely and naturally help in increasing your libido.

1. Chocolates

Pure chocolates made from unadulterated raw cocoa is a super food. It contains more antioxidants than green tea or red wine. A chemical known as phenylethlamine is present in the chocolates that will help in creating a sense of excitement in you.

• Eating chocolates everyday will help you in increasing your sexual drive.

2. Oysters

Oysters help in boosting dopamine, a well being and feel good hormone that will help in boosting libido in both men and women. It is an important food for men who love to increase their sexual drive.

• Try to include oysters in your diet at least two times a week.

• It will help in improving the production of testosterone as it is rich in zinc.

• It will also help in boosting the production of healthy and active sperms.

3. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are rich in essential vitamins and also very rich in zinc.

• The zinc in pumpkin seeds helps in boosting production of sperms in men and will also help in correcting testosterone deficiency in men.

• They are loaded with Vitamins B, E, D, C and K that will help in boosting libido.

4. Raw Garlic

Eating raw garlic every day will help in boosting your sexual drive. There is no need to worry that it might turn your partner away, but it will help in improving your performance in bed manifold.

• The heat in the garlic is the main thing that will help in increasing your sexual drive.

• It contains allicin that helps in improving blood flow to the sexual organs.

• Take it every day for a month to see visible results.

5. Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium and Vitamin B. It will help in increasing the libido in men as it contains bromelain enzyme.

• Take one or two ripe bananas everyday to increase your sexual desire and to boost testosterone levels.

6. Avocados

They are an excellent source of folic acid. They will help in providing energy to the body and will also aid in easy protein metabolism.

• Avocados help in increasing libido in men and women.

• The Vitamin B6 helps in boosting production of male hormones.

• The potassium in avocado helps in increasing female libido and also regulating the thyroid glands in women.

7. Blueberries

Blueberries are found to be a natural food that will help in driving the sexual pleasure in men to greater heights.

• They are rich in antioxidants that will help in relaxing the blood vessels and thereby improve the circulation of the blood to al parts of the body including the sexual organs.

• Men will enjoy stronger erections on consumption of blueberries regularly.

• It will also boost dopamine levels and will help in boosting the production of feel good hormones.

8. Peanuts

Peanuts are rich source of L-arginine and will help in especially increasing libidos in men.

• The L-arginine in peanuts has been proven to also improve the erectile dysfunction in men.

• The amino acids in peanuts help in relaxing the blood vessels and thereby improve blood circulation.

9. Watermelons

• Watermelon is regarded to be a natural Viagra with no side effects.

• They produce L-citrulline, an amino acid, which helps in increasing the blood flow to sexual organs.

• It will also help in boosting nitric oxide in the body which takes away the fatigue, mental and sexual dysfunction factor away.

10. Fishes

Some of the sea water fishes are found to be a rich source of omega -3. These fatty acids help in boosting the sexual urge in men and women and will also improve sexual stamina. They will help in fighting depression, improves the mood and helps in proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system. Some of the fishes that you need to include in your daily diet are:

• Trout

• Anchovies

• Herring

• Wild salmon

• Tuna

• Mackerel

• Sardines

11. Dates

Dates are a rich source of iron that will help in improving and strengthening the ovulation process is women. It will also help in increasing the sexual desire in women and men.

• Take a few numbers of pure Arabian dates and soak them in a cup of honey.

• Take one or teaspoons of the honey every day to improve your sexual desire.

12. Onions

Onions have aphrodisiac properties and hence will help in increasing libido.

• Peel off the skin of the onion. Crush it and then fry it in clarified butter.

• Take this regularly with a spoon of honey every morning on an empty stomach to boost your sexual drive.

Are you worried that you do not have the energy to perform in bed? Do you like to satisfy your partner in bed like never before? If you are looking at ways and means to increase your sexual drive, then you can try out a combination of the above foods to enjoy increased libido.

http://www.myhealthtips.

Super supplements

Super supplements 

Eating a healthy, varied diet will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need, but when you are pregnant you will also need to take a folic acid supplement.

The Department of Health also advises you consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement, particularly in the winter months (from October to the end of March) when we don’t get vitamin D from sunlight.

It can be difficult to get the recommended amount of folic acid and vitamin D from food alone.

You can also ask your GP, midwife or pharmacist about supplements – your GP may be able to prescribe them for you.

If you're on income-related benefits or under 18, you can get free vitamins while you're pregnant from the Healthy Start scheme.

Find out if you qualify for Healthy Start.

Folic acid

Taking a 400 microgram folic acid supplement before and during the early days of your pregnancy helps with the development of your unborn baby. However, women who suffer from diabetes, or have had a previous neural tube defect (NTD) affected pregnancy, or have a history of spina bifida or similar conditions in the family, should consult their doctor as they may need to take a daily dose of 5mg of folic acid.

This applies to all women who are either pregnant or planning to get pregnant, whatever their age, and whether or not there is a history of spina bifida or similar conditions in the family. Many people with spina bifida will have some paralysis and need aids to help them to walk or will need to use a wheelchair. It can also affect the nerves controlling the bowel and bladder.

Folic acid is a man-made form of folate, a B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. It’s unlikely that you’ll get enough folate to protect your baby just from the food you eat, which is why folic acid supplements are recommended. But it’s still a good idea to eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes folate-rich foods such as granary bread, beans and pulses, and green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Look out for the symbol on some breads and breakfast cereals which shows they’re fortified with extra folic acid.

Find out more about eating healthily while you’re pregnant

Folic acid supplements are widely available in pharmacies, health food shops and supermarkets, and cost as little as under £1 for a month’s supply. You can also get them free on prescription from your GP It doesn’t matter which brand of folic acid supplement you choose – just make sure each tablet contains 400 micrograms of folic acid. You’ll only need to take one tablet a day.

Vitamin D during pregnancy

Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium in the body, which helps to keep bones and teeth strong and healthy.

Although we can get vitamin D from sunlight, it is also in some foods, including oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines), eggs and red meat and foods fortified with vitamin D, including some breakfast cereals and most fat spreads.

Vitamin D is found only in a small number of foods and it might be difficult to get enough from foods alone. So all adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10mcg of vitamin D, particularly during the winter months (October until the end of March).

From late March/early April to September most people should be able to get enough vitamin D from sunlight, so you might choose not to take a vitamin D supplement during these months.

Some groups may be at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency. Talk to your midwife or doctor to see if this applies to you.

If you’re in any doubt about taking vitamin supplements during your pregnancy or while you are breastfeeding, speak to your GP or another health professional such as a pharmacist.

Warning: If you’re pregnant, you should avoid supplements and multivitamins containing vitamin A (retinol) –– as too much of it can harm your baby’s development. You should also avoid liver and liver products (including fish liver oil), as they are high in vitamin A.

https://www.nhs.uk/

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial Sweeteners

The health benefits of artificial sweeteners are inconclusive, with research showing mixed findings. Diet soda may not be a healthy substitute for sugary soda.

    For adults trying to wean themselves from sugary soda, diet soda is a possible short-term substitute, best used in small amounts over a short period of time.

    For children, the long-term effects of consuming artificially-sweetened beverages are unknown, so it’s best for kids to avoid them.

There is conflicting research surrounding the health benefits of artificially sweetened drinks. Long-term studies show that regular consumption of artificially sweetened beverages reduces the intake of calories and promotes weight loss or maintenance, but other research shows no effect, and some studies even show weight gain. (55)

    A 2013 study showed that both sugar-sweetened beverages and artificially sweetened beverages were linked with an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, however, more research is needed to prove a causal link. (58)

One study of 3,682 individuals examined the long-term relationship between consuming artificially sweetened drinks and weight. The participants were followed for 7-8 years and their weights were monitored. After adjusting for common factors that contribute to weight gain such as dieting, exercising change, or diabetes status, the study showed that those who drank artificially sweetened drinks had a 47% higher increase in BMI than those who did not.

One concern about artificial sweeteners is that they affect the body’s ability to gauge how many calories are being consumed. Some studies show that sugar and artificial sweeteners affect the brain in different ways.

The human brain responds to sweetness with signals to eat more. By providing a sweet taste without any calories, however, artificial sweeteners cause us to crave more sweet foods and drinks, which can add up to excess calories.

At the University of California-San Diego, researchers performed functional MRI scans as volunteers took small sips of water sweetened with sugar or sucralose. Sugar activated regions of the brain involved in food reward, while sucralose didn’t. (56) It is possible, the authors say, that sucralose “may not fully satisfy a desire for natural caloric sweet ingestion.” So, while sugar signals a positive feeling of reward, artificial sweeteners may not be an effective way to manage a craving for sweets.

A 2011 statement from the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association concluded that when used judiciously, non-nutritive sweeteners (including very low-calorie sweeteners, artificial sweeteners, and non-caloric sweeteners) might help with weight loss or control, and could also have beneficial metabolic effects. The statement also points out, however, that these potential benefits will not be fully realized if there is a compensatory increase in energy intake from other sources – ultimately saying that at this time there are insufficient data to make a conclusive determination about using non-nutritive sweeteners; more research is needed. (57)

To date, the FDA has approved the use of six artificial sweeteners; each one is far sweeter than regular sugar. (55) They include:

Stevia

One natural low-calorie sweetener, stevia, has not yet been evaluated by the FDA.

    Stevia is a non-caloric sweetener made from the leaves of a shrub that grows in South and Central America.

    Stevia is about 300 times sweeter than sugar.

    A number of major soft drink companies have begun launching stevia-sweetened beverages, sometimes combining stevia with erythritol, a sugar alcohol.

    There are no long-term studies of the health effects of stevia.

Sugar alcohols

Erythritol and xylitol are sugar alcohols, a class of compounds that have been used for decades to sweeten chewing gum, candy, fruit spreads, toothpaste, cough syrup, and other products. Newer, cheaper ways to make sugar alcohols from corn, wood, and other plant materials, along with their sugar-like taste, are fueling their use in a growing array of foods.

References

55. Bellisle F, Drewnowski A. Intense sweeteners, energy intake and the control of body weight. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61:691-700.

56. Frank GK, Oberndorfer TA, Simmons AN, et al. Sucrose activates human taste pathways differently from artificial sweetener. Neuroimage. 2008;39:1559-69.

57. Gardner C, Wylie-Rosett J, Gidding SS, et al. Nonnutritive sweeteners: current use and health perspectives: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2012;35:1798-808.

58. Fagherazzi G, Vilier A, Saes Sartorelli D, Lajous M, Balkau B, Clavel-Chapelon F. Consumption of artificially and sugar-sweetened beverages and incident type 2 diabetes in the Etude Epidemiologique aupres des femmes de la Mutuelle Generale de l’Education Nationale-European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;97(3):517-23.

Healthy Drinks

Healthy Drinks

    Water is the best choice for quenching your thirst. Coffee and tea, without added sweeteners, are healthy choices, too.

    Some beverages should be limited or consumed in moderation, including diet drinks, fruit juice and milk.  Alcohol in moderation can be healthy for some people, but not everyone.

    Avoid sugary drinks like soda, sports beverages, and energy drinks.

Water

There are many options for what to drink, but for most people who have access to safe drinking water, water is the best choice: It’s calorie-free, and it’s as easy to find as the nearest tap.

Water provides everything the body needs—pure H2O—to restore fluids lost through metabolism, breathing, sweating, and the removal of waste. It’s the perfect beverage for quenching thirst and re-hydrating your system.

How much water do I need?

There is no one estimate for how much water the average American needs each day. Instead, the Institute of Medicine has set an adequate intake of 125 ounces (about 15 cups) for men and 91 ounces (about 11 cups) for women. (1) Note that this is not a daily target, but a general guide. In most people, about 80% of this water volume comes from beverages; the rest comes from food.

Water is an excellent calorie-free, sugar-free choice.  For some people who are accustomed to drinking sweet beverages, water can initially taste bland. To increase water consumption without losing flavor or to spice up your daily water intake, try these refreshing water-based beverages:

Infused water

Instead of purchasing expensive flavored waters in the grocery store, you can easily make your own at home. Try adding any of the following to a cold glass or pitcher of water:

    Sliced citrus fruits or zest (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit)

    Crushed fresh mint

    Peeled, sliced fresh ginger or sliced cucumber

    Crushed berries

Sparkling water with a splash of juice

Sparkling juices may have as many calories as sugary soda pop. Instead, make your own sparkling juice at home with 12 ounces of sparkling water and just an ounce or two of juice. For additional flavor, add sliced citrus or fresh herbs like mint.

Beverages to limit

Drinks that are loaded with sugar are the worst choice; they contain a lot of calories and virtually no other nutrients. Consuming high-sugar drinks can lead to weight gain and increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and gout.

    The average can of sugar-sweetened soda or fruit punch provides about 150 calories. If you were to drink just one can of a sugar-sweetened soft drink every day, and not cut back on calories elsewhere, you could gain up to 5 pounds in a year. (2) Cutting back on sugary drinks may help control your weight and may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.

    Sports beverages are designed to give athletes carbs, electrolytes, and fluid during high-intensity workouts that last an hour or more. For other folks, they’re just another source of sugar and calories.

    Energy drinks have as much sugar as soft drinks, enough caffeine to raise your blood pressure, and additives whose long-term health effects are unknown. For these reasons it’s best to skip energy drinks.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/

What Is A Statement of Health?

What Is A Statement of Health?

If you’re enrolling in or making changes to a group life insurance or disability plan, you may be asked to complete a Statement of Health (SOH), also known as Medical Evidence of Insurability. Completing it is key to ensuring you and your loved ones have the coverage you need — but it’s not nearly as difficult (or as clinical) as it sounds.

What is a Statement of Health?

It’s a document containing a series of questions about your overall health. Depending on your plan and the coverage you want, a statement of health is necessary to meet underwriting rules and to complete your application.

When would I need to complete a Statement of Health?

There are lots of situations based on your life changes and your company’s benefits plan. For example, you may be:

• Requesting a higher coverage amount than your plan’s maximum
• Enrolling after an enrollment period closes, perhaps because you’re adding a dependent
• Reconsidering your choices after waiving all or part of your employer-paid insurance

Is the information confidential?

Yes. Insurers have strict standards for privacy and confidentiality. The Consumer Privacy Statement you receive with an SOH will give you more information.

Is there a time limit on submitting my Statement of Health form?

That depends on your group plan. Typically, you have 60 days to complete and return the form.

Can I complete a Statement of Health online?

If that’s an option under your plan, there are benefits to doing so. It’s quick and easy and you may get a faster decision. Visit your enrollment website for more information.

What if I have an existing medical condition? Should I still complete a Statement of Health?

Yes. Even people with relatively serious medical issues may still be eligible for insurance coverage.

Does a Statement of Health require a doctor’s visit?

Not typically. However, if you answer “yes” to questions on the SOH, you may be asked to submit an Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) or undergo a paramedical exam.

What’s a paramedical exam?

It’s a simple physical exam, arranged by your insurer and performed by a medical professional. It takes approximately 30 minutes at no cost to you. The need for one is determined by your answers on the SOH form, your age and the amount of insurance you are requesting.

https://blog.metlife.com

Green Tea

Green Tea - When you think of good-for-you beverages, water immediately comes to mind, but there are others worth adding to your diet. "Some drinks have tremendous health benefits, from relieving minor ailments like indigestion to protecting against serious ones like osteoporosis," says Dan Nadeau, MD, medical director of Exeter Hospital's HealthReach Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition Center in Exeter, New Hampshire. Here, eight healthy drinks that are packed with disease-fighting nutrients. Now that's easy to swallow.

The Benefit: Helps reduce risk of osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and cavities. Green tea contains a rich concentration of flavonoids and polyphenols, natural antioxidants that may protect cells from carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) and inhibit tumor growth by helping to neutralize free radicals in the body. The tea's antioxidants may also guard against heart disease by relaxing blood vessels, inhibiting the formation of blood clots that trigger heart attacks and strokes. Green tea also contains fluoride, which strengthens teeth; the flavonoids may build up bones as well, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and tooth decay.

https://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/drink/the-8-healthiest-drinks/