There are many factors that determine the strength of a man’s libido. These include glandular function, nutritional levels, as well as his stress and emotional stasis. Each one of these issues must be looked at, if any problems are to be dealt with fully. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements for men’s “performance” aiding drugs, highlighting the extent of this problem all over the world. These medications come with a host of side effects though, so it is good to know there are other ways to help.

Stress is readily blamed as a contributor of many health problems and it definitely can be a factor involved with a low libido. People under regular stress can experience adrenal exhaustion. This particularly happens to those who are driven, workaholic types, who skip meals. Because of this they will have erratic blood sugar levels. When they push themselves like this, their body has to find some way to produce energy, so releases adrenalin. This helps to push them through to the next level. When this pattern happens regularly though, the adrenal glands become exhausted and will no longer respond properly or they can over respond in some situations, causing symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, rapid heart beat, tightness in the chest, as well as an inability to unwind properly at night, restless leg syndrome, muscular cramps and spasms, insomnia and fatigue. As well as these symptoms, a man can feel so exhausted, he has no extra energy and his libido and sex drive are the ones that can be affected.

To add to this, stimulants are the fashion and many people over use these. Included in this category are black and green tea, coffee, cocoa containing beverages and of cause caffeine containing soft drinks.  Other stimulants include nicotine, as well as illegal drugs that are speed based.  All of these affect the adrenal glands and interfere with its functioning ability.  This tea from Madura is 100% caffeine free and contains only 2.8% caffeine.  We also have these coffee alternatives – Dandelion Coffee and Chicory, as well as  French coffee, which contains only 25% organic coffee – a great way to cut down, without the caffeine withdrawal headache.

Supporting blood sugar levels, by eating regularly is one of the most important things here. To do this, you need to eat within ½ an hour after waking and then each 2 ½ hours throughout the day. Each meal or serving needs to contain some protein – a slower burning fuel source. If you leave it any longer than 3 hours without eating, or if the previous meal did not contain adequate protein, your blood sugar levels will be low and your body will have to find another fuel source for energy, so will release adrenalin instead. This will be detrimental to your glandular system and hence your libido.

Good food sources of protein include fresh fish or tinned tuna & salmon, nuts such as almonds, high quality whey powder such as from Red 8 or NFS, as well as eggs, beef, lamb & venison.

I have found that the average person consumes only 1/3 of their required protein intake per day. This is of great concern, when we think that protein provides some of the main building blocks required for muscle growth and repair and the ability to control our blood sugar levels is dependent on our muscle mass.  As well as this, Muscle mass is considered to be the #1 Biological marker for aging. Anti aging is a big market these days and I believe that part of feeling youthful is having a strong libido.

To support adrenal function from a nutritional point of view, taking a supplement high in B vitamins is essential. A time release one is good, as it is released more slowly throughout the day, rather than all at once.  The one I recommend is the Supreme B125.  This should be taken after breakfast,  at least 1 hour away from tea and coffee. In the evening, a good quality magnesium supplement can help you to unwind better, such as the Superior Magnesium.  Specific Adrenal supporting supplements are also available and can be taken at lunch, for better support in the afternoon. Examples of this include Clinicians Adrenal Support and also the NSP Adrenal Support, which contains glandular substance.

Herbalists have long used their knowledge to help enhance a man’s libido, with herbs such as horny goat weed, tribulus, sarsparilla & damiana.  Examples of these combinations include Herbal Y Extreme for Men,  Xcitement Plus or Man Boost.   Some recommend animal glandular extracts, such as bovine testicle, believed to provide a natural source of testosterone.  Other formulas, such as Mega V or SZM are “Performance Enhancers” and are taken 30-40 minutes before hand, to a more immediate action. The mineral Zinc is vital for every aspect of a man’s reproductive system and needs to be supplemented in the diet, as it is deficient in New Zealand soils.

An interesting but distressing problem that affects many men, especially in the western world, is the increase of dietary sources of estrogen.  These are particuarly found in chicken meat that is not from an organic source and in the eggs that these chickens produce.  It is also found in foods that have been sprayed with herbicides and pestercides and is also produced when you microwave using plastic film wrap and in plastic containers.

When a mans estrogen levels get high, this hormone blocks the testosterone receptors, tricking a mans body into thinking that his testosterone is already high.  Because of this, he stops producing and storing this hormone in adequate amounts, believing it is already high enough.  This leads to not only a drop in testosterone levels but too higher estrogen levels, leading to a whole host of problems, including “Man breasts”.

So how would you even know if estrogen levels were too high and testosterone too low?   You can use this hormone test kit and have these hormones specifically tested.  If you use the Multiple Hormone Test Kit this test kit pays to have any 2 of the listed hormones tested.  If you require any further hormones to be tested, the cost is only AUS$20 for each additional hormone test.    The hormones to test if using this kit are Oestradiol or Estradiol and also your Testesterone.  If you get any others tested, the cost is only an extra  AUS$20 for each extra hormone. Your saliva sample is sent off to Pathlab in Australia and the results take around 1 month to return.

If the results showed that high estrogen was an issue for you, then we have 2 supplements that can be used to help your body to clear this.  They are the Mens Hormone Support and the Isa Test.

Both of these products work to help your liver process the excess estrogen, so your body can start making and also storing testosterone.