Chapter 4-Novel Interventions for Low Libido-Nutritional Deficiencies

What Would Compel an Otherwise Sane Person, or Even a Medical Doctor, to Attend a Lecture at 6:30 A.M. on a Sunday?

Novel Interventions for Low Libido-Nutritional Deficiencies

 We are what we eat.  What we eat has a significant impact on all activities of daily living including libido.⁽¹⁾

Understanding macro-nutrient intake, proteins, carbohydrates, and fat is difficult enough.   Next in line after balancing your hormones, having adequate quantities of the building blocks of life, the micronutrients, helps create a “libido-permissive” environment.

After all, always ill, take a multitude of prescription medications, and are suffering from malnutrition, sexual interest, desire, and performance are not high on one’s priority scale.

Medications that alter libido include antacids, certain antibiotics, anti=depressants, anti-inflammatories, (diabetes and) diabetes remedies, statins, anticonvulsants, amphetamines, psychotropic medication, NSAIDS, opioids, cardiovascular and antihypertensive agents.

Symptoms of nutrient deficiencies include fatigue, lethargy, foggy thinking, dry skin, brittle nails, weight gain, depression, weak immunity, and hair loss.

There are dozens of micronutrient test strategies.  Our favorite looks at thirty-two (32) specific markers including vitamins A through K, antioxidants, and the neurotransmitters.  Our goal is to restore as many of the vitamins and minerals toward the top 50% of the recommended “normal” range. (At least in the top half of each white graph.)

Nutritional Deficiency Remedies

General Nutritional Remedies for Low Libido

1.       Balance and/or Replace Deficient or Insufficient Micronutrients

1. Vitamin A deficits, the most common deficiency in impotent men, lower testosterone. Dry skin is a tip-off for a diminished Vitamin A.
2. Vitamin B1, Thiamine -Maintains libido, metabolism, and energy. A lack of B vitamins results in low sexual desire, fatigue, and constipation.
3. Vitamin B3-Lowers cholesterol and drives blood flow to the brain
4. Vitamin D-Maintains the essential hormones, estrogen, and testosterone in women and testosterone in men. Vitamin D, described as a pro-hormone, reinforces the actions of other hormones, maintains bone integrity, mood, and is cardioprotective.  Low vitamin D leads to diminished libido in men and women due to lowered sex hormone production.
5. Zinc-Boosts testosterone and acts as a natural estrogen blocker in men
6. Omega 3 Fatty Acids-Act as an anti-anxiety agent and increases blood flow to the pelvis.

2. GI Repair-The 4 R’s
3. Remove-Gluten, Wheat, Dairy, Soy, Trans Fats
4. Repair-Omega 3s, Fish Oil, Turmeric, Aloe Vera
5. Restore GI Flora-Probiotics, Fermented Foods
6. Replace-Digestive Enzymes, Bile Salts (Himalayan Pink Salt)

3. B12/MIC Injections 1-2x/ weekly

1. B-12maintains energy, is neuroprotective, supports cardiac function, maintains cell growth and repair, the immune system and healthy metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. B12 enhances mood and stabilizes blood sugar.
2. Methionine, Inositol, and Cholinemaintains adequate oxytocin levels, the liver, reduces stored body fat, and speed metabolism.

4.Myer’s IV Cocktail

1. Intravenous infusion consists of:

• 5 mL of magnesium chloride hexahydrate (20%)
• 3 mL of calcium gluconate (10%)
• 1 mL of hydroxocobalamin (1,000 μ/mL)
• 1 mL of pyridoxine hydrochloride (100 mg/mL)
• 1 mL of dexpanthenol (250 mg/mL)
• 1 mL of B-complex 100 containing:
  • 100 mg of thiamine HCl, 2 mg of riboflavin, 2 mg of pyridoxine HCl, and 2 mg of panthenol
  • 100 mg of niacinamide, 2% benzyl alcohol
  • 5 mL of vitamin C (500 mg/mL)
  • 20 mL of sterile water
    1. Magnesium maintains smooth muscle, combating erectile dysfunction and hypoactive sexual desire syndrome.
    2. Vitamin C quenches free radicals
    3. Calcium builds bone and helps maintain magnesium function
    4. B vitamins as previously discussed

5. Glutathione IV/Liposomal or as N-Acetyl Cysteine

Glutathione, the most potent anti-oxidant in the body, consists of three proteins, cysteine, glycine, and glutamine, produced naturally in the liver.  It is a liver detoxification agent first discovered to exhibit anti-tremor properties in Parkinson’s Disease victims.

A welcome “side effect” when administered twice weekly intravenously, is an average weight loss of 0.5-1 pound greater than those on a weight loss program without glutathione.

It contributes to strength, endurance and a shift from fat to muscle metabolism.

Glutathione is useful as a chelator, removing mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic from the bloodstream.  It prevents, and in some cases, reverses alcohol-induced fatty liver cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver tumors and improve the prognosis of stroke victims.

Glutathione improves immune function, is used as a skin lightener, improves energy, blood flow to the brain and enhances sexual energy and desire.

Glutathione acts as a scavenger, “vacuuming” up free radicals, toxins, and industrial chemicals.

Glutathione reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis.

Glutathione deficiencies are noted in patients with cataracts, glaucoma, chronic fatigue syndrome, all kinds of cancers, asthma, arthritis, liver disease, and most chronically ill individuals.

The main side effect of glutathione, pruritis, or itching at the injection site, is an indicator of low zinc levels.  Zinc administration increases testosterone levels while decreasing estrogen levels, acting, thus improving sexual energy and desire.

Remedies for Both Men and Women

a.       Tribulus Terrestris: Increases sexual desire in by releasing nitrogen from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve endings

b.      TrigonellaFoenum-Graecum(Fenugreek): Increases sexual cognition, sexual arousal, sexual experience, and orgasm/ sexual drive

Remedies for Low Libido in the Menopausal Patient

1. Di-Indole Methane (DIM) (Dose: 100 mg 2-3x/d)          

DIM supports hormone detoxification, promotes the “healthy” metabolism of estrogen (2-hydroxy)and reduces the disease-inducing pathway of estrogen (4 & 16-hydroxy) breakdown.

DIM alleviates the symptoms of estrogen dominance including fluid retention, cervical dysplasia, uterine fibroids, breast swelling and tenderness, abnormal and excessive uterine bleeding, insomnia, bloating and increased incidence of breast cancer.

Found in cruciferous vegetables such as; broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts, it acts as an anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant, anti-atherogenic.

DIM inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial hyperactivation and attenuates brain inflammation. It reduces the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-Beta, NF-KB, and PGE2.

DIM non-hormonally alleviates estrogen deficiency symptoms including reduced or nonexistent libido, breast droop, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, memory lapses, irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, thinning skin, periorbital wrinkles, osteoporosis, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease.

Protects improves prostate function and reduces prostate cancer risk, helps protect thyroid tissue especially in nodule situations and helps with HPV virus support.

2 .Genistein:(Isoflavones) (Dose: 500-1000 mg/d)

Genistein minimizes the incidence and duration of hot flashes and night sweats, plays a role in cancer prevention, lowers elevated LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol. Genistein stimulates bone remodeling.

Use with caution in estrogen-positive breast cancer patients.

3. Chrysin:(Dose 250 mg bid p.o., topical 50 mg/d),

Decreases aromatization of testosterone to estrogen and dihydrotestosterone. It has a naturally-occurring ligand for benzodiazepine receptors and acts as an anticonvulsant.

4.  Magnesium: (Dose: 100-400 mg/d)

Aids with relaxation, improve blood flow, resulting in improved sexual function.

5. Swedish Pollen Extract: Relieves Estrogen Deficient S/S

Remedies for Low Libido in the Peri-Menopausal Patient

1. DIM
2. Chaste Berry Extract
   1. Supports Normal Prolactin Levels Hormone Balance
3. Vitamin D3
   1. Supports cyclic fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as calcium absorption and bone strength
   2. Vitamin D3 ensures adequate immune function, heart, brain and blood vessel integrity, insulin regulation and mood stabilization.
4. Magnesium
   1. Affects neuromuscular activities which create PMS.

Remedies for Low Libido in the Male Patient

1. Lepidium Meyenii (Maca): Testosterone mimics, supports sexual function, alleviates SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.
2. Epimedium Sagittatum (Horny Goat Weed): Promotes testosterone production. It also increases sexual response
3. Tongkat Ali (Eurycomalongifolia): Stimulates the Leydig cells of testes, boosting testosterone production.        Maintains normal T levels that support sexual desire and fertility, (sperm concentration, motility), mood and energy.

Supplements for Estrogen Support

1. Calcium: Assists estrogen breakdown in the liver, making it less toxic.
2. Cysteine: Prevents oxidation of estrogen that can lead to breast cancer.
3. Vitamin B6: Protects genes from estrogen-induced damage.
4. Vitamin D: Enhances estrogen’s positive effects on bones.
5. Vitamin K: Lowers ratio of estradiol to estrone.
6. 7-Keto DHEA: Decreases estrone by 50 % in 8-12 weeks, weight loss.

Supplements for Testosterone Support

1. Vitamin C: Protect patients from prostate cancer.
2. Vitamin D: Regulates the synthesis of testosterone.
3. Carnitine: Increases dopamine which boosts testosterone.
4. Magnesium: Raises free and total testosterone levels in men and women.
5. Zinc: Synthesizes and secretes LH and FSH, plays an essential role in testicular growth. Acts as a natural aromatase inhibitor.  Increases testosterone and lowering estradiol.  (A zinc deficiency is associated with a decrease in testosterone and increase estradiol.)

 Remedies for Thyroid Support

1. Choline: Stabilizes mood and cognition in hypothyroidism.
2. Vitamin C and E: Assist in restoring thyroid function if liver is compromised.
3. Vitamin A: Activates gene that regulates TSH production.
4. Zinc: Increases T3 in patients who are zinc deficient.
5. Selenium: Converts T4 into T3. It protects the body against hydrogen peroxide and reduces TPO levels.

a.       Foods: Brazil nuts. meats, fish, and shellfish.

b.      Dose: 200 mcg/day.

 

6. Iodine:
   1. Improves immune functions
   2. Decreases singlet oxygen formation the primary cause of oxidative damage to DNA and macromolecules
   3. Is anticarcinogenic
   4. Detoxifies heavy metals
      1. Lead, mercury, cadmium, and aluminum
   5. Foods
      1. Sea vegetables, saltwater fish.
   6. Supplements
      1. Iodine 177- 225 micrograms (low dose)
         1. A “homeopathic” dose to stimulate own iodine production).
         2. Higher doses, 12.5 milligrams can lead to hyper and if unchecked,  burnout, to hypothyroidism.

Peptides for Libido Enhancement

1. PT 141
   1. Developed from peptide Melotanin II which induces skin darkening.
   2. Side effects include sexual arousal and spontaneous erections.

• Promotes sexual arousal in men and women

1. Works directly on the nervous system
2. 80% effective

References:

1.       Benson, Dick. “Food Is Medicine.” Alternative Medicine, no. 20, InnoVision Health Media, Inc., Jan. 2015, p. 6.

2.       PuriD, PrabhuKM, Dev G, Agarwal S, Murthy PS. Mechanism of Antidiabetic Action of Compound GII Purified from Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenumgraecum) Seeds. Indian J ClinBiochem. 2011 Oct;26(4):335-46.

3.       SreejaS, AnjuVS, SreejaS. In vitro estrogenic activities of fenugreek Trigonellafoenumgraecumseeds. Indian J Med Res. 2010 Jun;131:814-9.

4.       Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, et al. Beneficial effects of Lepidiummeyenii(Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause. 2008 15(6):1157-62

5.    Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ, Lim HS, Ernst E. Maca(L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complement AlternMed. 2010 Aug 6;10:44. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-44. Review.

6.       Rowland DL, Tai W. A review of plant-derived and herbal approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions. J Sex Marital Ther. 2003 May-Jun;29(3):185-205.

7.       SahooHB, NandyS, SenapatiAK, SarangiSP, Sahoo SK. Aphrodisiac activity of polyherbal formulation in experimental models on male rats. PharmacognosyRes. 2014 Apr;6(2):120-6.

8.       BucciLR. “Selected herbals and human exercise performance.” Am J ClinNutr2000;72(2 Suppl):624S-636S

9.       AdimoeljaA. “Phytochemicals and the breakthrough of traditional herbs in the management of sexual dysfunctions” [abstract]. IntJAndrol. 2000;23:82-84

10.   Molinoff PB, Shadiack AM, Earle D, Diamond LE, Quon CY, PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.” Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Jun;994:96-102.