Jamaica Gleaner Online
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Fish for Easter and better sex
published: Sunday | March 19, 2006

Heather Little-White, Ph.D., Contributor




FORTY DAYS of Lent is a period in the Christian calendar when persons make the sacrifice to give up something that they love such as meat. As such, fish becomes the protein of choice during the period. Others on a spiritual rebirth during this period may even give up other forms of flesh abstaining from sexual intercourse. Ironically, while abstaining from meat and sex as a spiritual choice, fish may actually stimulate sexual desire.

There is a strong relationship between diet, sexuality and dietary fat. All animal, vegetable and seed fats that enter the body are converted by the body's metabolism into basic chemical materials such as fatty acids. Fatty acids are essential to the metabolic role through hormone-like substances present in a wide variety of tissues and body fluids including the uterus, testicles, semen and the brain. The gonads in particular make use of fatty acids for hormone production and transfer neuro-genital impulse waves to the brain.

HEALTHY HEART

During sexual intercourse, the heart plays an essential role in sustaining increased blood flow around the body during sexual stimulation. A healthy heart is, therefore, important for good sex. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and regular consumption leads to a healthy heart. Omega-3 fatty acids help the blood flow more smoothly.

These essential fatty acids help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower tryiglygeride levels and blood pressure. Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod, sardines, herrings and trout are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. It is recommended that fish be eaten at least three times a week but during Lent, fish is eaten much more often in some form.

SEXUAL DESIRE

A study reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry highlighted improvement in sexual desire after a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids. The lack of sexual desire is often associated with depression and even with the lowest daily dose of one gram of fish oil, participants in the study showed significant improvements in depression levels.

Some persons believe that eating fish carries risks which could be dangerous to your health. Though some species of fish around the world are likely to be contaminated with mercury, PCBs and other toxins, at a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science it was posited that the benefits of eating fish far outweigh the risks.

PREGNANT WOMEN

Young children and pregnant women who may be at risk for eating seafoods because of the implications of mercury contamination should avoid eating shark, swordfish, tilefish and Spanish mackerel. Pregnant mothers and new mothers need the essential fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid or DHA found only in fish oil.

Early epidemiological studies showed that both the Eskimo and Japanese populations living by the sea had relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease and were exceedingly sexually active. This was a result of their diets which included substantial amounts of fatty fish, fish oil and other marine life.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

The relationship between fish products and sexual functioning is strong. Fish contributes to improved blood circulation, reducing the risk of contracting diseases and auto immune diseases may be drastically reduced. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common sexually-transmitted disease, can lead to cervical cancer in sexually-active women. Studies have shown that fish oil inhibited the growth of cervical HPV-precancerous cells. Amazing research results further demonstrated that fish oils also inhibited the growth of already cancerous cells in a benign tumour.

Mental alertness enhances sexual desire and sexual performance. New studies have also shown that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the onset of Alzheimer's disease as well as other mental illnesses. Conditions of hardening of the arteries, high cholesterol and diabetes may reduce blood flow to the penis and genital organs leading to difficulties with erection. However, proper diets with lavish amounts of fish, coupled with exercise can bring back good sexuality during Lent and beyond.

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