If you’re having trouble getting it up, blame your blood.
dr. Florence Comite, an endocrinologist from Brooklyn, New York, says the flow, consistency and content of a person’s blood play a vital role in their sex life.
Too much sugar, cholesterol and iron in the bloodstream can constrict blood vessels, making it more difficult for blood to reach the penis or vagina.
In men, this can make erections difficult or inconsistent, but as a result, both sexes can experience a libido lull.
High blood pressure can also lower levels of nitric oxide, a chemical that causes smooth muscles to relax, making orgasm more difficult.
The good news, Dr. Comite says, is that most blood-related bedroom problems are reversible with a few simple diet changes.
Excess iron — which is found in red meat — can lead to erectile dysfunction and loss of sex drive in men and absence of the menstrual cycle in women, a sign to skip the steak on your next date night.
High blood sugar levels — which occur when a person eats sugary treats like ice cream and candy — damage nerves and blood vessels, while the blood thickens and limits its ability to travel to the penis to form an erection.
A person suffering from high cholesterol may have plaque buildup in their bloodstream, which can also restrict blood flow.
Changing a person’s diet to include more vitamins and minerals that are good for sex — while avoiding foods that trigger the development of “bad blood” can be a boon for some, she says.
Eating foods high in zinc — such as beans — flavanoids — such as many berries — and vitamin B6 — salmon and tuna — can boost one’s sex drive, as the foods help one maintain healthier blood and increase libido .
“There are chemicals in the bloodstream — enzymes, cholesterol, sugar, iron — that can stop the way we function sexually and interfere with our interest in sex,” explains Dr. Cormite.
“Finding out what’s going on in your bloodstream… you can look at the interference it’s having with your sex life.”
A person can learn with a simple blood test if their iron levels, blood glucose, or cholesterol are too high.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) estimates that 30 million men suffer from erectile dysfunction.
dr. Florence Comite (pictured), an endocrinologist from Brooklyn, New York, warns that poor blood content can impair a person’s ability to perform in a bedroom
Many cases are related to obesity, smoking, psychological problems such as anxiety and loss of testosterone and libido as a man ages.
The institute also warns that while many men believe it is not a typical part of the aging process — a lie many men believe that prevents them from seeking treatment.
dr. Cormite notes that while blood itself can’t be “bad,” the content in one’s blood can make it less healthy.
For example, high blood sugar is known to cause problems for a person in the bedroom.
While high glucose levels are immediately linked to diabetes by many, prediabetics also suffer from elevated blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when a person’s blood becomes resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas, usually as a result of poor eating and exercise habits.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition that forms from birth in which a person’s pancreas does not produce insulin — or not enough — to regulate sugar in the blood.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that approximately 30 million Americans have diabetes and 90 million suffer from pre-diabetes.
the NIDDK warns that high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels and nerves.
“Poorly controlled blood glucose can affect sexual performance by damaging small blood vessels and nerves,” says Dr. Cormite.
“Damage to nerves that control sexual stimulation and response can impair a man’s or a woman’s libido or orgasm or the ability to have an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse in men.”
This can cause problems especially for men as it makes it more difficult for enough blood to reach the penis to maintain an erection.
the CDC reports that a man with diabetes is three times more likely to have erectile dysfunction.
Regularly eating sweets such as ice cream and candy or drinking sugary soft drinks significantly increases the risk of diabetes.
A man with high cholesterol may also have trouble maintaining an erection.
The Boston Medical Group warns that having too much LDL — often referred to as “bad cholesterol” — can lead to plaque buildup in the bloodstream.
As a result, blood will have trouble traveling to the penis of a man who is aroused and will impair his ability to form and maintain an erection.
High cholesterol also affects the production of testosterone, which sends sexual stimulation signals throughout the body.
Men with lower testosterone levels also have a lower libido, which is also detrimental to a man’s ability to maintain an erection during sex.
‘Avoid all fried foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fatty acids; think french fries, buffalo wings, onion rings, and other fried snacks,” says Dr. Cormite, warning that blood pressure should also be monitored.
Although iron is considered part of a healthy diet by many nutritionists and dieticians, too much iron can also be problematic.
Someone who eats too much iron can develop a condition called hemochromatosis, where they store excess deposits of the mineral in their blood.
The condition is rare, with Johns Hopkins University estimates that one in 300 Americans suffers from the condition, although it is generally undiagnosed.
Health officials recommend about eight milligrams of iron each day.
People who suffer from hemochromatosis have a lower libido and therefore have problems in the bedroom.
Foods such as red meat, spinach and raisins are high in iron. While they are okay in moderation, overeating can cause a person to have problems in the long run.
These problems can be solved with proper nutrition and by being aware of one’s body and family history.
“If diabetes or heart disease runs in your family, you can expect problems in your sex life,” she says.
There are also foods that a person can add to their diet to improve their performance in the bedroom.
The element zinc helps to boost the production of testosterone and prolactin, boosting sex drive and making it easier to achieve orgasm.
a 2014 study found that daily zinc supplements may even help prevent premature ejaculation.
Foods such as beans, oysters, nuts and whole grains are excellent sources of zinc.
A diet rich in flavonoids, which are found in many common berries, are linked also to a significant reduction in erectile dysfunction – especially in younger men.
Vitamin B6 – found in seafood such as salmon and tuna – is known to increase libido.