Raise Your Vitamin D, Raise Your Libido
Women with higher levels of vitamin D experience more arousal and more success between the sheets.
Women with higher levels of vitamin D3 (Buy at Amazon) function better sexually. They experience more desire, arousal, lubrication, and more intense orgasms.
In one study, endocrinologists recruited 108 women between the ages of 21 and 51 to fill out the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire to evaluate their sexual functionality. They also measured estradiol, testosterone, FSH, LH, DHEA, TSH, and thyroxin levels, in addition to vitamin D3 levels. Women with high levels of vitamin D3 scored higher on all factors relating to sexual satisfaction.
Surprisingly, though, there weren't any hormonal differences between the more sexually satisfied women and the less sexually satisfied women. The only thing that differed was vitamin D levels.
More Than Sexual Function
A vitamin D deficiency isn't only a possible problem. This common deficiency can also cause or exacerbate diseases like multiple sclerosis, cancer, and heart disease. It also plays a big part in the health of the immune system, as well as playing a significant role in depression.
Not many foods have decent amounts. Sure, you can get it from foods like liver and fatty fish, but most Americans get it from vitamin-D-fortified dairy products. The trouble is that vitamin D is fat-soluble, and many Americans consume fat-free dairy products, which results in all that vitamin D fortification going to waste.
There's another problem with vitamin D obtained from dietary sources, too. While it enters the bloodstream quickly (provided there's some dietary fat present for it to dissolve in), it also leaves the system quickly.
Nature's Slightly Risky Way of Getting Vitamin D
You can also allow your body to make vitamin D by exposing your skin to sunlight, but most doctors frown on that. Of course, you must be sane about it. You want a minimum amount of planned exposure, not the hours-long cancer-causing sessions that'll make your skin look like a vintage leather purse.
Just follow these guidelines from dermatologist Dr. Michael Holick, MD:
- Despite what dermatologists reflexively warn against, get some sun between 10 AM and 3 PM (when it's strongest).
- If you have dark skin, spend as much as 30 minutes in the sun. If you have fair skin, limit exposure to 10 minutes.
- Don't wear sunscreen during this "tanning" time, except on your face.
- Do this three times a week, if possible.
The Non-Risky Supplement Fix
If this is impossible (because it's winter or overcast), or you're worried about wrinkles and skin cancer, use supplemental D3.
Use microencapsulated vitamin D3, like D Fix High Absorption Vitamin D (Buy at Amazon). This microencapsulated form is the most bioavailable and you're guaranteed to absorb enough. If your sex life starts hitting on all eight orgasmic cylinders, that's probably a good sign you're getting adequate D.
Reference
- Canat M et al. "Vitamin D3 deficiency is associated with female sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women." Int Urol Nephrol. 2016 Nov;48(11):1789-1795. PubMed 27522658.
