Gut Health and Sexual Drive in Men
Did you know that gut health is as important as any other kind of health?
It’s because it affects all other parts of the body and day-to-day life. The gut microbiome plays a major role in influencing your libido, which means your desire for sex. Almost 90% of the hormone serotonin, which controls libido, is made by gut microbes.So, if your gut isn’t in good shape, your body and mind might not react to sexual cues as they typically do
More about gut health
Your gut has many tiny living things, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, known as your gut microbiome.
The gut is sometimes referred to as the “second brain” because it has a special network of millions of neurons, called the enteric nervous system, inside your digestive system walls.
While it can’t help you make important decisions or give answers to your problems, it uses similar chemicals and cells as the brain to help you digest food and tell the brain if something’s wrong.
One amazing thing about the gut is how it talks to the central nervous system (CNS), known as the “gut-brain axis.” This communication is super important for controlling your mood, feelings, and even how well you think.
I hope now you know why a healthy gut is as important as a healthy mind.
Let’s see how a poor gut affects different sexual functions in men.
Poor gut health & men’s sexual function
Gut microbiome can impact your sexual health in many ways.
Like, when hormones aren’t balanced right, it can lower your sexual desire and make conditions like obesity and Type 2 Diabetes more likely.
Long-term gut problems can mess up your usual sexual function. Conditions like:
– Microscopic colitis: A type of inflammation in the colon or large intestine that can cause chronic diarrhoea.
– Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): It’s a digestive disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
– Ulcerative colitis: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing ulcers in the colon and rectum.
– Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD is a group of disorders causing chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
These are some common ones linked to sexual issues like erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE). Symptoms like gas, bloating, throwing up, feeling tired, and pain often come with these conditions, and they can lower your sex drive and energy.
Foods to improve your gut health
Probiotics are good for your gut and can be found in foods like yogurt, and kimchi. These bacteria keep you healthy but avoid them when you’re sick.
Prebiotics feed good bacteria in your gut, unlike probiotics, which are living bacteria themselves. They’re important for keeping your blood vessels healthy. Foods like garlic, onion, leeks, banana and cocoa are rich in prebiotics.
Eating foods that help your body make collagen can boost your gut health. Collagen is known for improving blood flow, which is important for good sexual function. Foods that help produce collagen include egg whites, leafy greens, and tropical fruits.
Final Words~
At last, it’s best to avoid harmful habits like consuming too much alcohol, overeating, and not getting enough sleep to have a happy and healthy gut.
And if your poor gut starts interfering in your bedroom, it’s best to consult a doctor. Remember you can either avoid bad food and lifestyle habits from the start or learn from the discomfort they cause later on.
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