Sex Life Need A Boost? Read This Before Thinking About Popping The “Magic” Pill

By the end of this summer, the Food and Drug Administration is (once again) expected to decide on whether or not to allow the first “pink Viagra” pills to be marketed in the United States. This will be the third time that the drug, flibanserin, has been brought before the FDA since 2010, when its approval was unanimously voted against by the agency.

Nicknames can be misleading.

Who hasn’t heard of Viagra, right? One of the most widely known prescription drugs of all time, it was initially developed in the early 90’s as a medication designed to treat Angina and high blood pressure by inhibiting the tendency of blood vessels to constrict.
Because it was found to amplify the effects of nitrate medications commonly taken by patients suffering from those conditions, causing very dangerous drops in blood pressure (among other things), it was deemed inappropriate for use in this way.
The cost of development did not go to waste however, as researchers for the manufacturer found an unexpected new use for the drug while reviewing all of the side effects reported during the trials. Luckily for Pfizer, it seems that not only did patients report unpleasant things like muscle aches, dizziness and nausea, but males reported increased instances of erection for days after the initial dose.
Everyone knows what happened after that – doctors started successfully prescribing it to otherwise healthy men who were experiencing difficulty achieving or maintaining erection.
This condition is commonly known as E.D. or Erectile Dysfunction, meaning that the guys who take the pill have a desire to engage in sexual activity, but getting the message to their genitals has been a problem.
To say it rose quickly (insert tasteless arousal jokes here) in popularity is a huge understatement, as it turned into a phenomenal moneymaker, raking in roughly $1.6 billion annually.

So what is female Viagra?

Flibanserin, like Viagra, was also initially being developed for another purpose when the manufacturer decided that it would be more profitable to market it as a sexual arousal drug instead. That however, is pretty much the only similarity between the two.
Unlike Viagra, which works to open blood vessels and increase the flow of blood to the genitals, flibanserin’s target is a woman’s brain. Because it was originally intended to be sold as an antidepressant, the drug’s job is to alter the levels of important neurotransmitters – raising norepinephrine and dopamine, while lowering others, like serotonin (the one responsible for maintaining overall feelings of well-being).
According to the manufacturer, ADDYI™ (flibanserin) is now being studied as a non-hormonal drug for pre-menopausal women with HSDD or Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, which is something very different from ED.
HSDD can take a number of forms, i.e.: an overall or general lack of desire, or a lack of interest in sexual activity with a current or longtime partner, and it can come on either suddenly or gradually over time. It can also simply refer to a lifelong lack of interest in sex.
Simply put, the women may wish they wanted to engage in sexual activity, but they just don’t.

Is there a need for a drug to ignite sexual desire in women?

That is a really great question, and one that has been debated a lot in recent years. Because sexual desire in women is such an inherently intricate and complicated issue, how can anyone say that there is a single drug that can address all aspects of it?
Maybe even more importantly, wouldn’t it be better to analyze the factors that might have led to a decrease in desire before asking your doctor for a pill to sweep them under the rug?
In a claim by Sprout Pharmaceuticals on their marketing website, they assert that “a biological lack of desire to have sex negatively impacts 1 in 10 American women.”
This phrase ‘biological lack of desire’ is bothersome to Kinsey Institute research fellow and sexologist, Professor Ellen Laan, and NYU School of Medicine professor of psychiatry, Leonore Tiefer. In their recent LA Times Op Ed they write that “No diagnostic test has identified any biological cause – brain, hormone, genital blood flow – for most women’s sexual problems.” Hmmm…

What are the risks?

Naturally, when news of this drug coming back in front of the FDA for the third time surfaced, it opened up some valid areas of concern, so if you know anyone who is considering this drug or is just curious about it, please share:
Concern #1: Side Effects. As with any new drug, side effects are always a primary concern. For flibanserin, known side effects include:

• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Anxiety

I stress the word known because, just as with any brand new drug, study times and patient populations are limited, so there is really no good, long term science to draw upon.
Even though there are only a handful of side effects in this list, there will almost certainly be additions should it be widely prescribed over a period of, say a decade or more.
For example, we know now that the side effects of Viagra are far more numerous than initially thought when the drug was first approved by the FDA. A search of WebMD reveals well over a hundred moderate and severe side effects including (but not limited to) abnormal liver function, bleeding in the lungs, and complete stoppage of the heart!
While I am not suggesting that the side effects for flibanserin would be the same, given that they are such highly dissimilar drugs, I think it would be a mistake to take any of the ones that are already known lightly.
Concern #2: Daily dosage. Unlike Viagra, ADDYI™ is not merely something you would need to take an hour or so prior to planned sexual activity. Instead, this drug has to be taken daily.
Remember, its job is to alter the body’s levels of neurotransmitters, so it can take weeks for it to achieve the necessary level in the system before results are even detected. Furthermore, in order to maintain those levels, it is necessary to remain on a daily treatment regimen.
Concern #3: Increased dependency on externalized methods of coping. More and more, Westerners are being ‘sold’ on their own wellness and well-being. When we take something as intricate and nuanced as a woman’s cycle of sexuality and reduce it to a “diagnosis,” we are almost certainly doing ourselves a gross injustice.
A host of other factors come into play, such as stress, fatigue, emotional state, self-image and confidence.
A woman’s sexuality is not a switch that can be flipped on, rather she needs courtship, flirtation, some mystery, and freedom to express her individuality.
Concern #4: Effectiveness. This is, coincidentally, the same concern that the FDA has had with this medication, and one reason it was rejected in the past. In testing, results revealed that women reported only .5 – 1 more satisfying sexual events monthly than they were having prior to taking the pills.
This is hardly the type of overwhelmingly positive result you would expect from a drug you must take on a daily basis.
Shouldn’t we try asking what makes a woman feel sexy before we put her on a pill to make her sexy?
Life can be stressful, and it is easy to get bogged down in the daily grind. It is hard to feel sexy while juggling work, bills, home, family, worries and day to day responsibilities.
What was once a shared dream can all too commonly turn into a slowly, almost imperceptibly deepening rut, and once in it, it can be hard for anyone to see a way out.
Add to this the normal fluctuations in our own moods, energy and hormone levels, and a sexual lull period of “not tonights” can shift into longer and longer stretches of asexuality before you know it.
For some it can start with just an unexplained couple of extra pounds – not that much, but too much for your prettiest outfits to fit right.
Believe it or not, something as simple as this can be a turning point for many women who will tell themselves that they will not buy anything new until they can get back into a certain size.
Mentally punishing themselves won’t do anything to boost feelings of self-esteem or self-love, instead it creates additional stress and merely reinforces the “I am not sexy” message, often leaving the rejected partner scratching his head.

How does a girl go about getting her groove back?

1) Make yourself a priority! You came into this world the most perfect version of you the universe has ever known, and you must let that message permeate every cell of your body.
Set aside a few minutes each day for your own quiet, centering meditation. This is the time for you to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level.
2) Take a closer look at the foods you are eating. Would it surprise you to know that some foods can actually enhance your natural sensuality?
Of course, we know that there are foods that can have a negative effect on our mood and energy levels, like processed foods, foods high in sugars, salt or animal fats, so it makes sense that there would be foods and spices that naturally boost the libido as well.
Sometimes, our rushed and hectic lifestyles can really take a toll on our eating habits, making it difficult for us to get even the necessary daily nutrition to feel our best, and we find ourselves eating whatever is quick, easy, or there.
This is the perfect time to introduce the Glowing Green Smoothie® into your diet. In one delicious drink, you get the fuel to not only lose unwanted weight, but to rejuvenate your skin, fight aging, cleanse your digestive system, enhance your natural beauty, and increase your energy levels!
It’s so easy, it’s so simple, and it has worked for all my clients, from Hollywood stars to busy moms and schoolteachers.
If you are someone who does everything for everybody else, it is that one special thing you can do each day just for you.
3) Step outside of the box. Try some brand new things that will connect you with your true and amazing potential. This is great advice for everyone!                           
*Consider this thought for a moment – let it seep down into your bones: If you were to live to be a hundred years old, you would still never know all of the things you are capable of!
Try a beginners’ dance fitness class to get back in touch with your ability to express yourself through movement. You don’t have to know anything about dancing, and you don’t have to be into fitness to start, just as long as you commit to having fun and you are open to surprising yourself!
Or maybe you are feeling a little more adventurous, and you would rather learn belly dancing, or even pole dancing?
Yoga is another great way to get in touch with your body, not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually, bringing you to a new level of awareness and awakening you to the worlds of confidence and beauty that lie within.
If your partner is willing to practice alongside you, it can be a very powerful way to reestablish and deepen the delicate interpersonal connection which can get lost in day to day living.
4) Therapy. Lack of interest in sexual activity can stem from a host of different sources – from a past negative experience, negative emotions surrounding intimacy, physical discomfort and stress to issues like trust, or simply not feeling in sync with your partner anymore.
Therapy with a qualified practitioner is a chemical free way to rediscover the vivacious, sensual part of your natural self. A skilled, qualified therapist doesn’t change who you are or alter your brain chemistry. He/she will simply help you get in touch with that well of clarity, confidence, and wholeness that resides within each one of us. There are so many different kinds, so explore one that vibes with you.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing problems that should be discussed with a doctor or care provider, please make an appointment as soon as possible.
We know our own bodies best, so getting necessary medical attention and partnering with your doctor whenever you notice dramatic changes is an important part of responsible self-care, and should be part of your personal commitment to yourself. At the same time, be sure to check in with your emotional, mental and spiritual side and remember that needs as much nourishing as well.
With Love and Gratitude,
Kimberly

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Fuel Your Brain with Omega-3

Brain with Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It’s been really important to consume healthy fats.
We have discussed the important role that healthy fats play in helping us keep our skin and hair soft, supple and youthful, and also how healthy fats can contribute to our continuing cardiovascular health.
Fats are not all equal of course, and being discerning at which fats qualify as “healthy” for us, and which ones do not, is key to your health and beauty.
It’s important to be careful about heated vegetable oils (such as safflower, sunflower, etc.) which can get rancid in heat/light, excessive animal fats and saturated fats, and to STAY AWAY from trans-fats completely! Considering our weight, gut and heart health, gravitate instead toward health and beauty-promoting mono and polyunsaturated fats which provide us with essential fatty acids like Omega 3s (alpha-linoleic acid) and balanced levels of Omega 6s (linoleic acid).
These are truly the most important fats because we must have them to survive, and since our bodies cannot create them, we can only get them from the foods we eat.
The power of Omega 3s in helping to protect our cardiovascular systems, normalizing and regulating triglyceride levels in the blood, reducing LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and elevating HDL levels (the good kind) simply cannot be overstated.
That said, sometimes we can get so hyper focused on one aspect of nutrition that we may forget that the foods we eat, and the nutrients they provide are utilized by our bodies in other ways too.
Our bodies are constantly working to extract nutrients from our foods to power a host of intricate systems that are running 24 x 7 x 365 to keep us functioning at our highest level.

So how essential is essential?

For instance, Omega 3 fats, which are proven essential to not only maintaining cardiovascular health and assisting the body in the healthy creation of cells and regulation of the heartbeat, also provide the starting point for the creation of hormones necessary for healthy clotting of the blood. Omega 3 fats help keep our skin nourished and supple.
Omega 3 fats also help to discourage and regulate inflammation in the body, as well as playing protective/preventive roles against such serious diseases as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and even cancer.
Even if these were the only functions Omega 3s ever performed in our bodies, that would be a tall order indeed, but we haven’t even gotten to the roles they play in our healthy brain formation and function yet!

Let’s take a look at 5 that come immediately to mind:

1) Brain cells

Omega 3s support healthy brain cell structure. As you probably know, the human brain has just an enormous number of cells – over 100 billion, in fact, which are responsible for powering the miraculously complex and wonderfully unique organism that is you. Creative thinking and following through on your goals and dreams relies on your being able to use your beautiful brain!
Each cell has an outer membrane which is actually made up of fat (lipids). Believe it or not, the typical human brain is actually about 60% fat, so we obviously need to include fats in our diets if we want to keep ‘mission control’ up and running.
Trouble is, there are so many different kinds of fat, and so many different sources, it is vital to understand which ones it is wisest to gravitate towards.
The presence of PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in general, and of DHA in particular, provides the structure with fluidity while also providing a necessary vehicle for the transportation of proteins which perform vital functions within the brain.
DHA is also critical in facilitating the healthy formation of synapses, and our bodies can only get it from the foods we eat containing Omega 3s.

2) Fetal brain development

In a number of studies, scientists analyzing the diets of pregnant women have found that the children of those who consumed Omega 3s scored well in developmental and behavioral testing, while women who had no access to DHA – either in their food, or in supplemental form were more likely to report “suboptimal outcomes.”
Naturally, we always want to be super vigilant about our nutrition and healthcare during pregnancy, but when we say, “eating for two,” this really brings home the importance of the quality of the foods we eat over the quantity (especially considering only about 300 extra calories are needed in the second and third trimesters!).

3) Anti-aging

Omega 3 fatty acids have amazing anti-aging effects on the brain, both functionally and structurally.
In a recent study of 1,111 (interesting number choice!) post-menopausal women, it was found that Omega 3s had a direct effect on overall brain and hippocampus volume. The hippocampus is the area of the brain that is responsible for learning and retaining information – memory.
The study, which took place over the course of 8 years and was published in an online issue of Neurology, was conducted by a team led by James Pottala, PhD, from the University of South Dakota at Sioux Falls.
Dr. Pottala theorizes that because the brain metabolizes DHA into anti-inflammatory compounds, it may be effectively slowing cell death which would otherwise naturally occur with age, thereby causing a decrease in brain volume.
This may at least partially explain why insufficient omega-3 intake is so often correlated with diminished adaptability of brain synapses and impaired learning and memory as people age.

4) Mental health and happiness

Fats account for over half of the overall mass of the brain.
As we have already seen, Omega 3s not only help in the formation of healthy brain cell membranes, but they also contribute to the overall flexibility and ‘fluidity’ of the membranes.
In addition, they help to regulate the flow of proteins and neurotransmitters which act as chemical messengers, and are directly associated with fluctuations in mood.
In our society, depression is characterized as a fairly common mental disorder typically associated with a lack of energy, a generally apathetic or even negative outlook on life, a loss of interest in activities, a negative view of the self, and overall loss of confidence, heightened anxiety, and sometimes even dark thoughts of suicide and death.
Interestingly, there is some research to suggest that this was not always so common in humans, and some even mention the likelihood that the incidences of these types of mental illness have increased dramatically over about the last 150 years or so, along with a number of other inflammatory related disorders, due to changing emphasis on EFAs (essential fatty acids) in the modern Western food supply.
Depression has been linked to inflammation in the brain which may not be helped by the overabundance of Omega 6 (found in typical vegetable oils) in the modern Western diet.  It is the ratio between the Omega 6 and Omega 3 fats that is really key (more on this below in the Note…)
However, DHA and EPA are known to inhibit enzymes responsible for inflammatory response, so a diet with sufficient levels of Omega 3s will have a positive effect on inflammation in the brain.
Omega 3s also help increase the levels of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter associated with our “reward response,” and serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with our ability to access feelings of well-being, along with a number of others important ones like norepinephrine.
*Note: With EFAs, as with most things, balance is truly key. According to Artemis Simopoulos, president of the Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, “When your cells contain equal amounts of Omega 6 and Omega 3, as was the case with early humans, this promotes less inflammation, less constrictive blood vessels and prevents clot formation, all important functions in preventing many diseases.”

5) Hormone balancing

Because Omega 3s act to build healthy cell membranes while facilitating effective communication between cells they make it possible for hormones to adhere to cells more easily for transport.
Omega-3 fatty acids also aid the body in keeping the cellular receptor sites (where hormones bind) repaired and in optimal condition which is so important for premenopausal/menopausal women in particular, as hormone levels tend to decline.
The anti-inflammatory properties can also be helpful in easing those nasty symptoms of PMS and dysmenorrhea (Ugh!).

GREAT! How do I incorporate Omega 3s into my diet?

Many health professionals recommend making sure you are including seafood in your diet as a way to be sure you are getting your Omega 3s because fatty fish like salmon, anchovies and herring have been found to be a rich source.
Unfortunately, this leaves out a huge segment of the population, like people who don’t like the taste of fish, have seafood allergies, or are vegetarian/vegan?
The other problem I have with this is that fatty fish are more likely to contain higher levels of mercury and PCBs which come from industrial waste and are highly toxic to humans.

A word about fish oil

Many doctors recommend fish oil supplementation to ensure patients are getting sufficient levels of Omega 3, and for some people, this seems to work, but if you have ever taken a fish oil cap, you know that they can have an unpleasant tendency to ‘repeat’ on you.
I don’t know about you, but I have never liked the taste or (ewww) the smell of fish burps! One of the reasons this happens is that fish oil capsules are frequently rancid.
Because fish oil is unsaturated, it tends to go rancid pretty quickly, causing it to take on a strong, fishy odor. Not only has the rancid oil lost all of its positive attributes, but oxidized oils become lipid peroxides or free radicals.
Not to worry! Omega 3s can be truly be found in abundance in a number of delicious plant based foods that you may already be eating, such as seaweed, leafy greens, avocados, tofu, perilla oil, cauliflower,  and brussels sprouts.
Good news! They are prevalent in certain seeds and nuts, too, which also provide us with a wonderful source of dietary fiber to keep our digestive systems happy at the same time. =)

   

Let’s hear it for seaweed!

Plant-based forms of omega 3 fatty acids convert to DHA and EPA in body.
Some findings show that this conversion may be compromised in some people, so if supplementation is sought after the form I recommend is an algae-based DHA supplement. After all, where else would fish get their DHA?
When you switch to a whole foods diet that relies primarily on the healthy plant foods our bodies crave, including fruits, vegetables, healthy whole grains, as well as some raw nuts and seeds (especially chia, my fav), your diet naturally shifts to the best balance between EFAs to support good health.
This type of a diet is very similar to what our ancestors were able to naturally forage, and it is the diet human beings evolved to eat.
So what’s the bottom line? The best way to balance your EFAs is to minimize processed and fast foods and instead rely on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy whole grains.
The Beauty Detox program is a very EFA-balanced diet that can help reduce inflammation and leave you feeling better and looking (and thinking!) more glowing and healthy than you have in years. That’s something worth smiling about.
Have a great rest of your day, and see you back here soon.
Lots of love,
Kimberly

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