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Fighting foods
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Boost your sex drive
Prefer an early night to sex? You're not alone. Forty per cent of UK women are now claiming sexual problems, according to recent research by the Impotence Association. Stress, tiredness, recent childbirth, depression, illness and relationship problems can have a negative effect on sex drive. But don't despair. 'You can eat to boost your libido', says nutritionist Dr Vicki Edgson, co-author of The Food Doctor (Collins & Brown, £14.99). 'The sexiest mineral is zinc,' says Edgson 'It regulates sperm function, increases fertility and heightens senses like taste and smell. All in all, it makes for a better sex life.'
Sex-boosting action plan
Get sexy by tucking into foods rich in zinc - oily fish and seafoods such as Casanova's favourite, oysters. Other zinc-rich foods include pumpkin and sesame seeds, cheese, poultry, beef, lamb, sardines, pine nuts and brown rice.
Eat avocados for soft sexy skin, strawberries for fertility, eggs to improve sperm count and snack on figs and bananas - they're said to build up sexual stamina.
Monthly madness? PMS
Each month it's the same story. Bloating, irritability, tender breasts, sugar craving and mood swings, for at least a week. Sounds familiar?
The good news is that studies have shown that 98 per cent of PMS sufferers are severely deficient in magnesium. 'With a magnesium deficiency, you're more likely to retain fluid, feel tense and be less able to handle stress,' says Dr McKeith.
Sugary and artificially sweetened foods also encourage PMS. 'Sugar has a bad effect on the menstrual cycle because it tires the liver,' says Dr McKeith. 'If you crave sugar before your period, it's likely you're trapped in a vicious circle - eating sugary foods off-balances your blood sugar levels, which in turn leads to further cravings of sweet foods.'
Eating protein can help. 'Protein will slow down the release of glucose from food and balance the brain chemicals,' says Edgson.
Beat PMS action plan
Boost your intake of magnesium by taking between 400mg to 800mg a day of the supplement. Essential fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, are also helpful for painful tummies, so add salmon, tuna, nuts and seeds to your diet. Anecdotal evidence suggests oil of evening primrose can ease symptoms of PMS.
Steady blood sugar levels by cutting back on sugary foods, and foods that contain white flour, wheat, caffeine and alcohol. Drink two litres of water a day and eat plenty of protein such as eggs, chicken, pulses, sprouted seeds and beans. You could also take agnus castus, a herbal supplement which has been proven to help regulate hormones.
Boost your sex drive
Prefer an early night to sex? You're not alone. Forty per cent of UK women are now claiming sexual problems, according to recent research by the Impotence Association. Stress, tiredness, recent childbirth, depression, illness and relationship problems can have a negative effect on sex drive. But don't despair. 'You can eat to boost your libido', says nutritionist Dr Vicki Edgson, co-author of The Food Doctor (Collins & Brown, £14.99). 'The sexiest mineral is zinc,' says Edgson 'It regulates sperm function, increases fertility and heightens senses like taste and smell. All in all, it makes for a better sex life.'
Sex-boosting action plan
Get sexy by tucking into foods rich in zinc - oily fish and seafoods such as Casanova's favourite, oysters. Other zinc-rich foods include pumpkin and sesame seeds, cheese, poultry, beef, lamb, sardines, pine nuts and brown rice.
Eat avocados for soft sexy skin, strawberries for fertility, eggs to improve sperm count and snack on figs and bananas - they're said to build up sexual stamina.
Monthly madness? PMS
Each month it's the same story. Bloating, irritability, tender breasts, sugar craving and mood swings, for at least a week. Sounds familiar?
The good news is that studies have shown that 98 per cent of PMS sufferers are severely deficient in magnesium. 'With a magnesium deficiency, you're more likely to retain fluid, feel tense and be less able to handle stress,' says Dr McKeith.
Sugary and artificially sweetened foods also encourage PMS. 'Sugar has a bad effect on the menstrual cycle because it tires the liver,' says Dr McKeith. 'If you crave sugar before your period, it's likely you're trapped in a vicious circle - eating sugary foods off-balances your blood sugar levels, which in turn leads to further cravings of sweet foods.'
Eating protein can help. 'Protein will slow down the release of glucose from food and balance the brain chemicals,' says Edgson.
Beat PMS action plan
Boost your intake of magnesium by taking between 400mg to 800mg a day of the supplement. Essential fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, are also helpful for painful tummies, so add salmon, tuna, nuts and seeds to your diet. Anecdotal evidence suggests oil of evening primrose can ease symptoms of PMS.
Steady blood sugar levels by cutting back on sugary foods, and foods that contain white flour, wheat, caffeine and alcohol. Drink two litres of water a day and eat plenty of protein such as eggs, chicken, pulses, sprouted seeds and beans. You could also take agnus castus, a herbal supplement which has been proven to help regulate hormones.
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