How to be happy, sexy & strong

MANILA, Philippines – To a lot of men, erectile dysfunction sounds like a death sentence.

But according to Dr. James Rouse, a naturopathic doctor, Ironman triathlete, yoga instructor, book author, and TV personality in the US, erectile dysfunction is not a disease.

“Inflammation gets in the way of desire,” Dr. Rouse begins to explain. “It gets in the way of performance because it affects circulation. When you are inflamed, your blood does not circulate well,” he says, referring to poor blood circulation or inflammation which is often pointed to as the culprit for erectile dysfunction. “So the idea of fighting inflammation is the most powerful way not only to have a healthy sexual appetite but also to perform sexually. The more we have an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, the more we have the energy and circulation for enjoyment.”

Dr. James Rouse, a recent visitor in the country, could not have been more clinical and straightforward at the health forum entitled “Happy, Sexy & Strong,” which he conducted in cooperation with the leading all-natural products store chain, Healthy Options.

To stay happy, sexy and strong, Dr. James advocates an anti-inflammatory diet. “With good nutrition, healthy sexual functioning is also achieved,” he shares.

Here’s Dr. James’ list of top 10 anti-inflammatory foods: 1) Wild salmon, 2) nuts and seeds, 3) olive oil, 4) cruciferous vegetables and dark green leafies, 5) berries, 6) cherries, 7) turmeric (curry), 8) garlic, 9) green tea, 10) ginger.

Particular vitamins and nutrients in some foods can spice up a person’s sex life. Oysters, rich in zinc, can help raise sperm and testosterone production, thus increasing libido. Walnuts are rich in alpha linolenic acid, the plant version of omega-3 fatty acids.

Studies show that the phytochemicals in walnuts help maintain a healthy prostate, particularly in older men. Research also shows that men who consume tomato products or lycopene stand to lower their risk of prostate cancer.

Healthy Options carries supplements such as saw palmetto, which may help enhance prostate health for men, as well as the Menopause Formula for women whose estrogen levels are dropping rapidly and want to ease the symptoms of menopause.

Dr. James lists the best foods for women: kale (bones, breasts, vitamin K); tomatoes (eyes, breasts, cervix); walnuts, almonds (skin, heart, brain, breasts); flax seed (heart, brain, breasts); legumes, beans (colon, weight, breasts); garbanzos, the “good bean”; wild salmon (brain, nervous system, heart, skin); cranberry juice (bladder, eyes); Greek yogurt (bones, weight, muscles); orange squash, tubers, sweet potatoes; butternut squash (skin, breasts, eyes).

And the best foods for men are: tomatoes (lycopene); olive oil (vitamins, antioxidants); Greek yogurt (protein, probiotics); dark leafy greens (kale, broccoli, spinach — protect bones, anti-cancer; pomegranate (seeds and juice); wild salmon (omega 3s, brain, anti-inflammatory); garlic and onions (protect prostate); green tea (antioxidant); Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts (prostate support).

High on Dr. James’ “Eating Plan” are foods that are: non-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, fiber-rich, which protect against colon cancer as well as other risk factors for heart disease such as high cholesterol.

“Fiber is not sexy, but neither is constipation,” Dr. James says. “Taking less fiber makes us age faster.” He also encourages portion control, or what he calls “mindful” portions, and meal frequency.

“Eat within an hour of waking. Eat every three hours. Finish eating by 8 p.m.,” he says.

Follow a Mediterranean-Asian inspired diet which includes a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, fish, healthy fats, such as olive oil,  and wine.

Red wine, particularly Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet, and Merlot, is a rich source of resveratrol and other polyphenols that are known for their antioxidant activity.

“Pinot Noir has the greatest level of resveratrol, the uver polyphenol,” Dr. James says. “Before swallowing, swish around your mouth for 30 seconds to increase the resveratrol. Pair with dark chocolate, and you have a happy heart.”

Healthy Options offers quality supplements like resveratrol, as well as multivitamins that help the body cope especially when under constant stress, bolster immune function, and contribute to healthier hair, skin, and nails, making people look attractive and sexy.

Consult your doctor before taking heart-healthy supplements. Men and women who are advanced in years may find that they are beginning to lose mental function and sexual vitality, but a doctor can recommend effective natural therapies.

Feeling sexy begins not just with having a positive body image but also a healthy mental attitude, so Dr. James believes.

Here is Dr. James’ recipe for happiness: Express gratitude. Cultivate optimism. Negative thoughts and excessive worry sap your energy levels over time. Avoid social comparisons. Practice kindness towards self and others. Seek meaningful friendships. Seek community. Forgive. Focus on your strengths; engage in something you love to do. Get uncomfortable and go for big goals and growth. Be spiritual and live spiritually. Sweat your prayers. Give back.

To be “happy, sexy, and strong,” here are some more tips from Dr. James:

• Get moving. Make time for daily exercise.

• Simply walking, stretching, and breathing exercises can deliver long-term and satisfying energy.

• Engage in mind-calming activities. Try yoga and meditation.

• Stop smoking. Certain studies show that smoking not only increases the amount of facial skin wrinkling but also tends to increase the risk of impotence and harms mental health.

• Avoid refined sugars and processed starches.

• Flush out toxins.

• Drink lots of water.

“Simply living well and striving for a balanced life may be all that you need to enliven your libido,” Dr. James notes. “Feeling sexy starts with you.” –Julie Cabatit-Alegre (The Philippine Star)