The road to good health may not always lead to the health food store, doctor’s office or pharmacy. It may go straight to the bedroom, say experts.
“The fountain of youth can be found between the sheets,” says Dr. Walter Gaman, co-author of “Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health.”
“Frequent sex causes the brain to release human growth hormone, which helps maintain youth.”
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, clinical professor at Yale University and a renowned gynecologist, adds that menopausal women have fewer symptoms when they have a good sex life.
“Frequent sex increases blood flow to the pelvic area so women need less medication for vaginal dryness,” Dr. Minkin reveals. “And of course most relationships benefit from a healthy sex life. Maybe this is not a strict gynecological fact, but it’s true!”
Here are more ways that being active in the bedroom benefits your health:
Improves Memory. Sex can improve memory and attention to detail. During sex, oxytocin is released which aids the brain in memory recall. Also, an increase in serotonin helps with creative thinking and logic. Dr. Gaman, recently named one of the best doctors in Texas by Newsweek magazine, encourages all his patients to have an active sex life: “I have yet to find anyone who is disappointed when I write a prescription for more sex.”
Increases Immunity. Wilkes University in Pennsylvania found that having intercourse one to two times a week raises the level of antibody immunoglobin A (IgA) by as much as a third. IgA is a protein that binds to pathogens that enter the body, increasing resistance to disease.
Improves Heart Health. Everyone knows that exercise is good for the heart, but some people don’t realize that sex is actually a form of exercise. Having sex once a week for a year burns the same amount of calories as walking 25 miles. A study at Queens University found that men who had regular sex cut their risk of heart disease and stroke in half.
Reduces Pain. Showing that the old “Not-tonight-honey-I-have-a-headache” excuse is not valid: Intercourse has actually been proven to cure headaches. It has also been shown to relieve arthritis pain. During orgasm, oxytocin flows through the body and acts as a natural painkiller. According to a Stanford University study, being deeply in love has proven to increase overall pain tolerance.
Helps You Live Longer. A British study of 1,000 men found that regular intercourse dramatically increases life span. Men who had two or more orgasms a week had half the death rate of those that had sex once a month or less. “This is not surprising,” states Dr. Mark Anderson, co-host of the nationally syndicated Staying Young Radio Show, “We know that the brain releases Human Growth Hormone (HGH) during intercourse. HGH helps the body repair itself and maintain youth.”
Makes You Happier. We have known for years that people get a smile on their face when they have sex, but now research proves that sex actually does make you happy. The release of dehydropiandrosterone (DHEA) during sex provides a natural anti-depressant and mood enhancer. Some studies show that regular sex can be as much as 10 times more effective than traditional prescription anti-depressants.
Makes You Stronger. Sexual intercourse helps both men and women regulate their sex hormones. Increasing sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, improves bone strength and boosts muscle tone. Low estrogen and low testosterone can decrease sex drive. Luckily, the more sex you have, the greater your sex drive will be.
Editor's Note: What's Your Risk for Heart Attack? Test Your Risk Here.
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