Bambú Naturopathic Clinic in Portland, OR • January 2011 Newsletter

in this issue:

Love is in the Air

It’s February, the traditional month to show our sweeties that we care, as well as American Heart Health month. In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. In the spirit of love, Bambú Clinic would like to discuss two very important topics: heart health and libido.

Heart Health – what’s the big deal?

Heart disease comes in many forms, and unfortunately it is the number one cause of death in the United States, as well as a major cause of disability. The good news is that many types of heart disease can be prevented or treated with naturopathic medicine. While the term “heart disease” includes many different types of disease, the most common are coronary artery disease, electrical conduction problems, problems with the heart valves, and congestive heart failure. Sometimes there is a congenital abnormality in the heart or valves, while other times heart disease is a result of lifestyle choices or illness. Here are the top 5 things you can do to keep your ticker strong and healthy:

Get a physical exam and bloodwork once yearly to monitor cardiac risk factors. Your naturopathic physician can run specialized testing that will take into account your unique risk factors.
Once lab results are received, be proactive about making the changes you need to lower your risk of heart disease. This may mean dietary changes, an increase or change in exercise, the addition of nutritional supplements, getting more regular sleep, or another change in routine.
Work on managing your stress. Let’s face it… in modern life, stress is inevitable. However, studies have shown that it is our reaction to stressful events that causes the real damage. If you find that stress negatively affects your health, work on ways to transform that stress. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and therapeutic counseling are all ways to transform your stress response.
Laugh every day. Studies show that laughter improves blood vessel function and increases blood flow, which helps protect against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. Things not funny? Even “fake” laughing has the same effect – so give yourself time each day to laugh with your whole body, even your liver.
Release your anger and guilt, as both can contribute to heart disease. Talk with your naturopathic physician if these are issues for you. Your ND can assist you in devising a program to optimize your mental health and leave anger and guilt behind.

Libido – What is it Anyway?

Libido, or sex drive, is a complex human physical and emotional response. As naturopathic physicians, we are often asked what is a “normal” libido for men and women. This question is complex!

On the physical level, hormonal balance plays a role in libido, particularly the balance of hormones from the hypothalamus, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, and ovaries or testes. When a person experiences a significant change in hormonal levels, libido can be affected. Many women experience this during menopause, but it can happen at any time for either gender. In addition, circulation and nerve health affect blood flow and thus can affect libido.

On the emotional level, short or long-term stress can raise or lower libido, as can depression, anxiety, and grief. If libido is a concern, talking with your naturopathic physician about this issue is an important first step. Often times, hormonal testing and treatment, dietary therapy, or counseling are very helpful in addressing change in libido.

The Best Libido Diet

While human sexual response is complex, there are some special dietary additions that can help nourish your libido.

Honey. Honey is a natural source of boron, which is good for metabolism. Boron causes a rise of testosterone level in blood, and that’s why it’s helpful for sexual desire in both men and women. Look for raw, local honey and use it sparingly as a condiment.

Vegetable oils. Vegetable fats contain plant acids, which your body uses to produce cholesterol – the foundation of all sex hormones. Lack of cholesterol in the body has a negative impact on your sexual activity and leads to loss of sexual interest and desire. When buying vegetable and nut oils, pay attention to the label. Cold-pressed oils contain more nutrients than cooked, and they contain vitamin E, which is necessary to maintain your hormonal balance. The best oils are olive, grapeseed, and walnut.

Oat flakes. They help to increase the level of testosterone in your blood. In order to increase your libido you should eat a bowl of oatmeal several times a week. If you are sensitive to gluten, look for gluten-free oats at your local natural foods store.

Oysters. They are considered a classic aphrodisiac. In fact, all seafood is rich in minerals, essential components of sex hormones. In addition, minerals from seafood are better absorbed by your body, as they are contained there in the form of mineral salts.

Algae. Algae and seaweed contain iodine, which is good for thyroid function and responsible for female sexual desire. However, in order to feel positive results you should eat algae or seaweed regularly for a month or longer.

Chocolate. It contains several components that create a sense of satisfaction and improve mood. Chocolate is also known as a classic aphrodisiac. Look for dark chocolate sweetened with natural sugars such as unrefined cane juice, honey, or brown rice syrup.

Eggs. They contain B vitamins, especially B6 and B5 that help to balance hormone levels and maintain energy.

More. Red meat (grass-fed and finished), dark meat of poultry, seafood, brown rice, and pumpkin seeds are good sources of zinc, which helps to balance prolactin. In excess, prolactin can lead to various sexual dysfunctions.

We hope you found this information helpful. We strive to help our patients find a healthy way in the world. If you have topics you'd like us to address in future issues please let us know. We are always available for questions and comments.

Warm Regards,

The Physicians of Bambú Clinic