Community Gardening in San Juan MM
Vitamin
A. This vitamin helps in the production of sex hormones,
and fights inflammation and infection of tissues. Acute deficiency
may lead to atrophy of the testes and ovaries. Soft skin and healthy look may
be attributed to a good supply of Vitamin A
which comes from
carrot, broccoli and other crucifers, yellow fruits and
green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin
B Family. This vitamin complex may be derived from unpolished rice, whole
grains, nuts and seeds. Milk principally gives
riboflavin, a type of Vitamin B2. Its deficiency may lead to the development
of arthritis.
Niacin or Vitamin B3,
on the other hand, is derived from asparagus, mungo sprouts, lean
meat and fish. This vitamin improves memory, and together with Vitamin A and minerals, gives
the flush and glow in the person. Its deficiency may result in skin
eruptions and pellagra.
There is pyridoxine, which
is vital to the functioning of our brain
and nerves. Pyridoxine deficiency is manifested by a general feeling of
weakness, neuritis, insomnia, irritability, and anemia. These
lead to loss of sex appetite and failure of experiencing sex
orgasm.
Most of the Vitamin B
rich foods contain pyridoxine and pantothenic acid. Pantothenic
acid is classified as Vitamin B. It is needed
in the production of body energy. Choline, which is allied to Vitamin
B, enhances sexual arousal and performance. Choline is an
ingredient of lecithin, a rejuvenator. Lecithin also contains
inositol. Inositol, pantothenic acid, and
para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) constitute what is termed as “youth
vitamin." Sources of this vitamin other than those mentioned are eggs, crucifers like
cabbage, liver, legumes, whole grain nuts and seeds like sesame.These
also provide another Vitamin B member, biotin, the lack of which could
lead to depression.
Another form of Vitamin B is folic
acid, the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate which helps eliminate homocysteine from the blood, an amino acid linked to
arterial disease and heart attack. It is also essential in embryonic
development and early growth. That is why folic acid is
added to milk and foods as protection against birth and childhood
defects. People who eat a lot of dark leafy vegetables, carrots, beans,
asparagus, and whole grain, need not worry about folic acid
deficiency.
Vitamin
B6, which is derived from ginger and certain vegetables, brings relief to
the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS, which is a painful and
irritating condition developed by long hours at the keyboard. Carpal tunnel
syndrome is characterized by swollen tendons that move the fingers. Other than
this remedy, proper posture and work habits must be followed. Ginger as anti-inflammatory
properties, aside from its value in toning the cardiovascular
system and reducing platelet aggregation, thus helping
in protecting heart attacks and strokes.
The most complex of all
vitamins is Vitamin B12 or cobalamine. It is important in the synthesis
of nucleic acid and myelin, the covering
of nerves. Vitamin B12 was discovered in papait, derived from the chyme
of ruminant animals. The chyme is heated and pasteurized
(heated below boiling for a few minutes and filtered). It is then mixed
with kilawen (medium rare meat of goat, or beef). This preparation is
effective against tuberculosis and anemia. Vegetarians are
at risk for its deficiency, especially among children, which may result in
pernicious anemia characterized by symptoms of weakness, apathy, lightheadedness,
shortness of breath, numbness of extremities, and
loss of balance. Among older people acute Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to
loss of memory and disorientation.
Luffa or patola is rich is vitamins
Other food sources of
this vitamin are fish and poultry, seaweeds like gamet (Porphyra), arusip
(Caulerpa), and gulaman (Gracillaria).Chlorella, a green alga and
Spirulina, a blue-green alga, contain
high Vitamin 812. Lack of Vitamin 8 12 is manifested by fatigue, irritability,
paleness, muscle jerking, and mild mental problems, all of which can
greatly adverse sexual life.
Vitamin
C (ascorbic acid). Prolonged lack of this vitamin may lead to
scurvy. Poor sex life is attributed to its deficiency. Its role is in the
absorption of iron. Iron aids in oxygenation of the blood. A well-oxygenated
blood is efficient in carrying oxygen, hormones and nutrients to the organs
and tissues of the body. How do we know if
we lack this vitamin?
It is manifested by the bleeding of gums, poor digestion,
slow healing of wounds, frequent colds and
infections, shortens of breath. Mango, avocado,
citrus, tomato, guava, and strawberry are among the rich sources of Vitamin C. Doctors recommend
a daily intake of 1000 milligrams although some people go as high as 2000
milligrams when exposed to toxins, infection and chronic illness. Taking
Vitamin C is a practical way of preventing colds, and some people take it with
two cloves (not heads) of raw garlic once they start feeling cold symptoms.
Vitamin
D. Although there is no known direct effect on sex, the lack of
this vitamin which is actually a hormone complex known as sterols, adversely
affects calcium-phosphorus balance and metabolism. Bone deformity in children
and osteoporosis are the chief manifestations of its deficiency. Regular
outdoor exercise and sunlight exposure, and taking in of calcium-phosphorus
rich foods protect us from deficiency disorders. Calcium supplement, mainly in
milk, becomes a necessary part of the diet of older people.
Aside from slowing down
the aging process, Vitamin E adds zest to sex life. It prevents the
oxidation of fatty acids which are important in the production of sex hormones.
It is found in most of the vitamin-rich foods, but some people may still need
Vitamin E supplement often marked tocopherols [Greek: to bring
childbirth) (Jensen).
Another vitamin is Vitamin
F, which is needed by the thyroid, adrenal and prostate glands. It promotes
calcium absorption, buffers cholesterol, helps keep our
hair and skin look healthy. Most of the vitamin-rich foods provide us with adequate
Vitamin F.
It is important to keep
always in mind that good health is the key to sexual vitality. Although
it is highly recommended that we eat a lot
of vegetables and fruits, particularly those specifically mentioned in
this book, it does not mean that the more we take them the more we are
benefited by their nutrients and herbal values. First, it is wise
to think of certain herbs of their specific significance and the kind of illness we
may be treating. There are herbs that are actually dilute
forms of natural drugs, and not foods and dietary supplements.
Second is that anything taken in excess is
bad. It is but proper to take these herbs with moderation, and better still, with
proper consultation. And third, avoid smoking. Smoking reduces
life span to as much as 20 per cent, not considering the predisposition
to smoking-related illnesses, principally lung cancer and
heart attack, which may cut short a good life even before reaching
middle age. Drugs, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and menthol are
known to deaden the nerves in the long run. Medical reports point
to them as culprits to many kinds of potency problems
both in men and women.
It is also important to
consider that we have to maximize the vitamins present
in the food we eat. We must remember that heat destroys vitamins
and other nutrients, for which reason, vegetables must not be overcooked. It is
also well to know that alcohol,
nicotine, drugs
and coffee prevent the absorption of nutrients, principally
vitamins and minerals. This may develop into a kind of malnutrition
that may be taken' for granted. Thus, people who abuse themselves
with these substances suffer poor health and
generally lead
sedentary lives. It is also good to remember that even if we get the
proper kind and amount of food, we must complement it with
regular exercise and good rest, a positive disposition notwithstanding.
And lastly, both physical and mental well-being are important
to healthy sex. Many experts say that the greatest aphrodisiac
is the human mmd.
"All mankind love a lover.”
