Appropriate and harmonious sexual activity is beneficial to health and longevity, while a reasonable diet helps maintain sexual function.
Appropriate and harmonious sexual life is conducive to health and longevity.
The claim that appropriate sexual activity negatively impacts health is incorrect. On the contrary, appropriate sexual activity is beneficial to health and longevity. Sexual activity is a normal human need and activity; deliberately suppressing it can have significant negative impacts on physical and mental health. So, why does sexual activity promote health and longevity?
The *Su Nu Jing* states: "Heaven and earth have opening and closing, yin and yang have transformation and application, and humans follow yin and yang, adapting to the four seasons. If one does not engage in sexual intercourse, the spirit and energy will not circulate, yin and yang will be blocked, how can one replenish oneself?" It also points out: "If yin and yang do not interact, pain and stagnation will occur, hence those who are secluded, idle, resentful, or lonely are often ill and short-lived." The *Qian Jin Yao Fang* also says: "Men cannot be without women, and women cannot be without men. Without women, desires will be aroused, desires will be aroused, the spirit will be exhausted, and the spirit will be exhausted, thus shortening lifespan. If one truly has no desires, then it is the best way to live long, but this is extremely rare. Forcibly suppressing desires is difficult to maintain and easy to lose, causing seminal leakage and urinary tract infections, leading to diseases like ghost intercourse, where the loss of one is equivalent to the loss of a hundred." Sexual desire is a primal driving force of human instinct, and sexual behavior is a physiological and psychological need of human beings, with the purposes of procreation and pleasure.
Modern medicine believes that sexual activity is beneficial to physical and mental health, and has the following advantages:
Enriching the mind and body: Some people who lack a proper sex life feel empty inside. A harmonious sex life can bring comfort, satisfaction to the mind and body, and make life more positive and energetic. Relieving insomnia: When sexual desire cannot be properly released, or when things don't go well, people are prone to insomnia. If couples have a sweet sex life and whispered sweet nothings in bed, both can fall asleep with peaceful dreams.
Beneficial for beauty: Acne and pimples are very annoying. In addition to limiting the intake of sugar, fat and high protein in the diet, the sexual excitement produced by a harmonious sex life can accelerate blood circulation, balance metabolism, and improve skin condition, thus beautifying the skin.
Sex can relax tension and enhance vitality: when emotions are out of control, harmonious sex can provide relief; when psychological stress causes tension, sex has an unexpected relaxing effect. Furthermore, sex can promote metabolism and vitality, leaving one feeling refreshed and radiant. Therefore, a harmonious sex life for couples is worth valuing. Regular and normal sexual activity is extremely beneficial to physical and mental health.
Dr. Moskowitz, an expert at NYU Medical Center, affirmed the therapeutic effects of sex. He stated that regardless of your symptoms, a fulfilling sex life can have a beneficial health effect.
Emotions are closely related to physical health. Negative emotions such as anger, worry, guilt, and sadness can trigger a stress response in the body, have adverse effects on physiology, and impair the function of the immune system.
A fulfilling sex life can generate positive emotions such as interest and excitement, and can relieve tension. According to Mo's research, during sex, the nervous system releases endorphins, a natural pain reliever that relaxes the body's tissues.
Heart: Experts believe that sexual dissatisfaction is one of the contributing factors to heart disease. In a study of 100 women with heart disease who received treatment, 65 of them were sexually unsatisfied before hospitalization; in another study of 133 male heart disease patients, two-thirds of them had serious sexual problems before the onset of the disease.
Immune system: In a study of breast cancer patients, experts found that women who were sexually satisfied had more T cells in their blood-white blood cells that play a major role in immune function-and they lived longer.
Pain: Orgasm is a natural pain reliever; the excitement of orgasm can significantly increase the pain threshold. Other experts have found that during orgasm, so-called living endorphins reach sensory organs throughout the body, producing a morphine-like effect, thus relieving various types of pain. Sex is also a sedative; it can soothe the body and eliminate insomnia. The more fulfilling the sex life, the easier it is to fall asleep.
Mental Health: A fulfilling sex life can lead to a positive mental state. A San Francisco research institute analyzed the sex lives of 37,500 adults and found that those with fulfilling sex lives experienced less anxiety, violent thoughts, and hostility. This positive relationship can extend to the spouse and become an integral part of the marital bond. A tender sex life helps one to display their best mood and temperament.
Numerous studies suggest that appropriate sexual activity contributes to health and longevity. In his book *The Descent of Man*, British scientist Charles Darwin cited numerous surveys confirming that normal sexual activity promotes health and extends lifespan. *The Descent of Man* records that among 1000 German men aged 20-30, the average annual death rate for unmarried men was 11.3, while for married men it was 6.5. A Scottish survey conducted in 1863-1864 found that among 1000 men aged 20-30, the average annual death rate for unmarried men was 14.9, compared to 7.94 for married men. While these figures may seem high by today's standards, they accurately reflected the low life expectancy of that era. Research indicates that couples who remarry and enjoy harmonious sexual relationships can extend their lifespan by 12 years for men and more than 5 years for women. Clearly, normal sexual activity is a source of a long and happy marriage. On the other hand, many couples who were loving when they were young have many conflicts when they get old. One important reason is the lack of sex life and different understandings of sex life, which leads to the absence or imperfection of sex life. Therefore, sex life is also the foundation of family unity, harmony and social stability.
Among the factors that experts have summarized as "affecting human longevity," the lack of harmonious marital life (living alone after age 40 or not remarrying after divorce, and widowed before age 40) ranks first.
Divorce can shorten lifespan. A South Korean expert, after years of research, found that the average lifespan of divorced men and women in South Korea is 8 to 10 years shorter than that of married men and women.
Intentionally suppressing sexual activity can have adverse effects on both mental and physical health, causing dysfunction of the reproductive organs and endocrine glands, accelerating aging, and resulting in a haggard appearance and lack of vitality. Therefore, people, especially the elderly, should not intentionally stop having sex.
It is clear that an unharmonious sex life can affect health.
When the man has reached orgasm, but the woman has not yet experienced any sexual pleasure, or when ejaculation occurs before the woman reaches orgasm, it is called "sexual disharmony".
Sexual activity is an instinct for all animals to continue their offspring and is also an important condition for human survival. The life process is closely related to and directly affected by sexual activity. Without sexual activity, one is not only more susceptible to disease, but also affects health and lifespan. After male and female sexual maturity, the desire for sexual release and contact between the sexes always exists. Sexual activity not only strengthens the relationship between husband and wife and brings harmony and happiness to the family, but also prevents disease and promotes physical and mental health.
Many diseases are directly related to the influence of negative psychological factors. Among these psychological factors, emotional changes caused by marital relationships play a significant role. Scientists found in a survey of married patients with neurosis that 60% experienced marital dissatisfaction and emotional discord (including sexual incompatibility); similarly, a survey of cancer patients found that more than half had unhappy marriages. Extensive data indicates that negative psychological factors caused by poor marital relationships can lead to various psychosomatic illnesses such as gastrointestinal cancer, asthma, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and neurosis. Clearly, a healthy and happy family life is the foundation of physical and mental well-being.
To some extent, men need the help and cooperation of women to maintain relatively good sexual function. In other words, women's sexual function is of greater importance; therefore, women should pay more attention to their own sexual function and have a responsibility to understand and better cooperate with their partners. Some women, especially older women, may experience discomfort during intercourse due to endocrine disorders (such as decreased vaginal secretions). This can be resolved by increasing mutual understanding and taking effective measures (such as using traditional Chinese medicine or dietary therapy, or applying lubricants). Of course, ejaculation is not necessary for every sexual encounter to be considered a fulfilling sexual experience; harmonious and happy embraces and caresses are also beneficial supplements.
In short, sex is beneficial to health and longevity. Sexual function is a measure of your physical health; poor health often manifests first in sexual dysfunction. Disharmony in sexual life affects health and lifespan.
A balanced diet is fundamental to maintaining human sexual function.
Sexual function is an integral part of bodily functions, and maintaining it requires sufficient energy, which comes from diet. Adequate and balanced nutrition through a proper diet is essential for ensuring healthy sexual function. There is a significant interdependence between food and sexual function. Both traditional and modern medicine agree that a balanced diet has a positive effect on libido, sexual response, and sexual behavior. From the perspective of maintaining and regulating sexual function, the following principles should be followed in daily diet.
(1) Consume sufficient high-quality protein
High-quality protein contains a variety of amino acids necessary for human activity, especially some essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize. These amino acids participate in the formation of human tissues and cells, including sex organs and reproductive cells. For example, arginine is an important component of sperm production and has the effect of improving sexual function and relieving fatigue. Soy foods, especially frozen tofu, are rich in arginine. The main sources of high-quality protein are animal proteins such as poultry, eggs, fish, and meat, as well as soy proteins. Humans have fat storage stores but not protein storage stores; therefore, protein must be replenished daily. The smaller the animal, the better the protein.
(2) Pay attention to enzyme supplementation.
Enzymes are special proteins that catalyze metabolism in the body, promoting health and longevity. A deficiency in any enzyme can lead to functional decline, including decreased sexual function and even infertility. Enzymes are found in various foods. As proteins, enzymes must be broken down into amino acids before they can be absorbed. Recent discoveries about the "pinocytosis" mechanism in intestinal mucosal epithelial cells suggest that some enzymes can be directly absorbed, but many scholars believe this absorption is very limited. Therefore, enzyme supplementation should focus on obtaining a comprehensive intake of amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements to ensure sufficient enzyme synthesis in the body.
(3) Consume an appropriate amount of fat
In recent years, with increased health awareness, some people worry that consuming fat and cholesterol will lead to conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. This fear of fat has led them to avoid fatty foods, going from one extreme to another. It's crucial to recognize that some fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin E, are obtained through fat intake. Sex hormones are primarily derived from cholesterol in fat; a long-term lack of fat intake can affect the synthesis and secretion of sex hormones, negatively impacting sexual function. Furthermore, fats contain essential fatty acids necessary for sperm production. A deficiency in fat intake not only affects sperm production but can also lead to decreased libido. Nutritionists emphasize a balanced diet with appropriate amounts of fat, not excessively restricting or eliminating fat altogether. 70% of cholesterol in the body is synthesized internally. While excessive restriction of cholesterol-containing foods is necessary for those with high cholesterol, it's not necessary for everyone. Some people avoid fat themselves and forbid their children from eating it, unaware of how much fat is essential for children's development. Taking the outer membrane of a nerve fiber as an example, it's analogous to the insulating membrane of an electrical wire. The better the insulation, the stronger the conductivity of the wire. The outer membrane of a nerve fiber is mainly composed of lipids and proteins. If one deliberately restricts a child's fat intake to the point of affecting nervous system development, it might not result in dementia, but it certainly won't produce a highly intelligent individual. Therefore, it's crucial to consider individual circumstances and take a practical approach. From the perspective of maintaining sexual function, meat and poultry contain a relatively high amount of lipids, and moderate intake is beneficial for the synthesis of sex hormones. Animal organs, in particular, contain sex hormones, so they should be consumed in moderation. Because animal organs are high in cholesterol, those with high cholesterol should limit their intake. Meat, fish, and poultry contain a relatively high amount of fat, and both human health and sexual health require a certain amount of fat. Moderate fat consumption is beneficial for the synthesis of sex hormones, promoting health, longevity, and sexual health; therefore, a balanced diet of meat and vegetables is essential.