Cao Kaiyong's Health Prescription: Nourishing Foods to Enhance Male Virility and Foods Unsuitable for Men That Degrade Sexual Function
**Cao Kaiyong's Health Prescription-Nourishing Foods for Enhanced Male Vitality**
The saying "Food is the first necessity of the people" means that human growth, development, vitality, and yin-yang balance all depend on the intake of nutrients from food. Eating is an expression of life activity and a guarantee of health and longevity. Diet not only sustains individual life but also relates to the continuation of the race, the prosperity of the nation, and the flourishing of society. The Chinese nation proposed the scientific principle of a balanced diet as early as two thousand years ago. The *Huangdi Neijing Suwen* states, "Grains nourish, fruits assist, livestock benefit, and vegetables supplement." Our ancestors also invented food therapy, the scientific nature of which lies in selecting foods according to symptoms. In the prevention and treatment of erectile dysfunction, in addition to medicinal supplements, attention should also be paid to dietary supplements. Many male health foods are recorded in ancient herbal and medical works; some of the key ones are introduced below:
Yam: also known as Dioscorea opposita, it is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It has the effects of invigorating qi and tonifying the kidneys, strengthening yang and nourishing yin. It is mainly used to treat seminal emission, frequent urination, and leukorrhea. In addition, it contains yam saponins, which can strengthen muscles and bones, invigorate kidney qi, strengthen the spleen and stomach, stop diarrhea and dysentery, resolve phlegm and saliva, and moisturize the skin and hair.
Longan: also known as dried longan. It is sweet, neutral and non-toxic in nature. Its main functions are to invigorate the spleen and stomach, nourish blood and calm the mind, and replenish deficiencies and enhance intelligence.
Chestnuts: Their nourishing properties are comparable to ginseng, astragalus, and angelica, yet they are inexpensive and readily available, making them highly praised by physicians throughout history. Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty described their effects as: "Benefiting qi, strengthening the stomach and intestines, and tonifying kidney qi." Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty further called chestnuts "the fruit of the kidneys, suitable for those with kidney disease."
Walnuts: They have the effect of strengthening the kidneys and nourishing the brain, and regular consumption can promote longevity.
Lotus seeds: neutral in nature, sweet and astringent in taste. They nourish the heart and mind, benefit kidney qi, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and astringe the large intestine.
Foxnut: Neutral in nature, sweet and astringent in taste, and non-toxic. It strengthens the kidneys and astringes semen, tonifies the spleen and stops diarrhea, and promotes diuresis and strengthens the middle jiao (spleen and stomach).
Lamb: It is sweet and warm in nature, and its functions are to warm the middle and dispel cold, warm and replenish qi and blood, stimulate appetite and strengthen strength, benefit stomach qi, and replenish physical weakness.
Lamb kidneys: sweet and warm in nature, they nourish kidney deficiency and benefit essence.
Dog meat: It tastes sweet, salty, and sour, and is warm in nature. It functions to soothe the five internal organs, warm the waist and knees, benefit the kidneys and strengthen yang, and nourish the stomach and replenish qi.
Sparrow meat: It is warm in nature and sweet in taste, containing protein, fat, inorganic salts, and vitamins. Its functions include invigorating yang and qi, warming the waist and knees, reducing urination, and benefiting essence.
Oyster: Sweet and salty in taste, neutral in nature, slightly cold. Its functions are to resolve phlegm and soften hard masses, clear heat and remove dampness.
Mussels: Also known as shellfish, red clams, sea mussels, etc., are the meat of a thick-shelled mollusk. They are salty and warm in nature, and function to nourish yin and regulate menstruation, tonify the liver and kidneys, replenish essence and blood, strengthen yang, and eliminate goiters.
Shrimp: Divided into two categories: saltwater shrimp and freshwater shrimp. Saltwater shrimp are also called red shrimp or prawns. Saltwater shrimp are sweet and salty in taste and warm in nature, and are believed to have aphrodisiac, yin-nourishing, and stomach-strengthening effects; their shells also have a calming effect.
Sea cucumber: It is sweet, warm and slightly salty in nature. Its functions include tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, promoting bowel movement and moisturizing dryness, stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation.
Fish maw: also known as fish swim bladder. It is sweet and neutral in nature, and functions to nourish the kidneys, liver, stop bleeding, and fight cancer.
The above 18 types of male health foods are very beneficial for men to nourish their sperm, enhance their sexual function, and tonify their liver and kidneys.
**Foods that are unsuitable for men as they can negatively impact sexual performance and sperm quality**
Soybeans and soy products: Soybeans and soy products contain a relatively high amount of the natural estrogen, soy isoflavones. Regular consumption of soybeans and soy products can increase estrogen levels in men, counteracting and inhibiting the production of androgens. Therefore, long-term, excessive consumption of soybeans and soy products can lead to erectile dysfunction or low libido in men.
Celery: It is cool in nature and has a sweet and pungent taste. It has the effects of clearing heat and relieving irritability, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, cooling blood and stopping bleeding. Celery has a degrading effect, which can lead to impotence, inhibit sperm production, reduce sperm count, and hinder conception.
Water chestnut: It is cool in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of clearing heat, relieving thirst, and sobering up. Water chestnut is considered a detrimental food and may lead to decreased libido in men.
Bamboo shoots: Slightly cold in nature and sweet in taste, they have the effects of stimulating appetite and strengthening the spleen, relieving chest congestion, promoting bowel movements, and eliminating greasiness and alcohol poisoning. However, because they contain a large amount of oxalic acid, they can affect the body's absorption and utilization of calcium and zinc, thus leading to decreased libido and sexual dysfunction in men.
**Cao Kaiyong's Mailbox**
**Moderate sexual activity to prevent sexual dysfunction.**
**Dr. Cao:**
What could cause the man to suddenly faint and lose consciousness during sexual intercourse? What precautions should be taken to prevent this?
Sun XX
Mr. Sun:
In my more than ten years as a urologist, I've encountered several emergency medical incidents, all related to improper sexual practices. Once, during a trip abroad, there was a couple among our group. Around midnight, I was sound asleep when I was suddenly awakened by a knock on the door. It was a woman's voice. "Dr. Cao, Dr. Cao, please come quickly, XX is in trouble."
I rushed to their room and found XX lying there, deathly pale and unconscious, covered in cold sweat. His pulse was extremely weak. I quickly pressed his philtrum (the area between his nose and upper lip) and, as he slowly regained consciousness, fed him a glass of water.
I asked his wife what happened, and she said: "Around 10 p.m., the two of them took a bath, rested for a short while, and then had sex. As soon as it started, XX turned pale, trembled all over, and was drenched in sweat. Seeing that he wasn't doing well, I immediately went to fetch you."
This condition is called sexual syncope. It occurs when one is exhausted from travel, has a lot of physical exertion, and then sweats a lot after taking a hot bath, which weakens the body. If sexual intercourse occurs afterward, fainting may occur.
Many couples believe that showering before intercourse is an essential hygiene habit, but the timing of the shower is important. Some people can rest for a longer period after showering, allowing their bodies to recover before engaging in intercourse. However, others who have been overworked during the day or have traveled long distances and are physically weak should not engage in intercourse immediately after showering.
There are three factors that contribute to fainting during intercourse: First, poor physical condition, weakness, recent recovery from a serious illness, or prolonged intercourse can severely deplete vital energy, leading to loss of qi and spirit, resulting in fainting. Second, yin deficiency combined with excessive sexual activity can deplete yin essence, causing excessive internal heat, which in turn causes blood to rise upwards and rush to the head, leading to fainting. Third, low mood, stagnation of liver qi, strained marital relationship, or unfulfilled desires can disrupt the flow of qi, causing fainting due to qi stagnation and blockage.
To avoid fainting during sexual intercourse, the following points should be noted:
First, maintain a balance between work and rest, and practice moderation in sexual activity. Most cases of fainting during intercourse are related to excessive sexual activity. In some cases, the groom becomes overly excited on his wedding night, causing his central nervous system to lose its inhibition, leading to exhaustion and fainting; some even die on top of their brides. Others involve couples who have been separated for a long time, occasionally reuniting, and then indulging in excessive sexual activity, such as having intercourse several times a night, ultimately leading to exhaustion and death. The ancient warning, "Those who engage in sexual activity over a hundred li will die," is very true.
Secondly, be mindful of sexual activity taboos. In some situations, sexual activity should be avoided to preserve health. For example, after eating, blood is concentrated in the stomach and intestines, and engaging in sexual activity at this time can easily lead to exhaustion and fainting. Furthermore, overly vigorous or tense movements during sexual intercourse can easily result in accidents.
Third, emergency treatment for fainting during intercourse. If fainting occurs during intercourse, do not panic. Fainting is usually sudden and brief, and recovery is easy with proper treatment. Have the patient lie flat and pinch the "Renzhong" acupoint (between the nose and mouth) with your index finger to help them regain consciousness. After they regain awareness, give them some sugar water and allow them to rest and recover their strength.
**Cao Kaiyong**