Page 44 - Urological Health

4) Libido

Trying to enhance the desire for sex (and performance) has a long history. Most food “aphrodisiacs”
(named after the Greek goddess of sexuality and love, Aphrodite) have a colourful story behind them,
but most have not been scientifically proven.

Chocolate is thought to modify women’s genital functioning. However, studies don’t back this up. We
do know that alcohol decreases inhibition, or the natural restraint of acting on sexual urges. However,
some studies don’t back this up either.

Other examples of “aphrodisiacs” from all over the world are kebobs (barbecued beef) in Middle
Eastern culture, spicy food and chili, oysters, snakes, shark components, rhinoceros horns, dried tiger
penises, snake blood, and melted camel hump fat. It is likely that they have come to be known for
enhancing sexual desire because they either look like penises or vaginas, or they make you sweat and
turn red, similar to the act of having sex. No scientific research has been completed to see if these
increase sexual desire and performance.
There are a number of remedies, not usually found in regular diets, that have been studied. These
include sperm whale stomach contents (ambergris), toad skin and glands, beetles (Spanish Fly), bark
from an African tree, Horny Goat Weed, Brazilian herbs, Saw Palmetto, Ginseng and South American
tree roots. Although the purpose of this chapter is to review diet and urological health, caution is the
best advice if you are considering taking these. Many do have active ingredients that may have
undesired effects and may interact with your current medications. You should talk to your family
doctor or urologist before trying these remedies.
What to do? UNDER REVIEW

• Speak to your doctor about using medication – some help and some don’t (and may hurt
you).
• Speak to your family doctors or urologist to make sure the quality, science and safety of
the remedies are validated.

D.Water and Urological Health in Healthy People

• Do we need to drink 8 glasses of water a day to keep our kidneys healthy?
• Why don’t drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol count?
• When I am thirsty, am I already too late to catch up on my water intake?
• Can I tell the airport security that I am allowed to bring this bottle of water on the plane
because it is necessary for my health?
For most people (those who are healthy, live in comfortable climates, and are not doing vigorous
exercise), it is a myth that you have to drink eight glasses of water a day.There has never been even one
research study that supports this!Yet the advice continues to be given and followed by everyone from
health care professionals to celebrities for many years. Even the diuretic (something that increases
urination) effect of caffeine and small amounts of alcohol are uncertain.

Other studies state that drinking when you’re thirsty is the best way to make sure you have enough
fluids, rather than forcing yourself to drink all the time. It is quite unlikely that “Mother Nature”
equipped us with bodies that need constant water or fluid intake.

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