Becoming A Wild Sexual Animal Part II: Restoring Libido, Virility, & Livelihood
Nov 7, 2011
EDIT: Here is a link the first article in this series.
The turning point in my sexual adventure occured when I began studying the work of Dr. Ray Peat. I was hesitant however, due to the overwhelmingly negative sound bites I had heard from many I admire in the paleosphere.
Based on my experience with high-fat, low-carb diets and the staggering amount of "I lost my libido on Paleo" forum threads, I felt comfortable experimenting with my interpretation of Peat-a-tarianism.
Before we go on, I think it's appropriate to state a brief overview of Peat's ideas. Chris Rosenfelt, friend and commenter over at Ray Peat Fans on Facebook, summarizes Peat's position eloquently:
"Dr. Peat believes that energy and structure are interdependent, therefore providing proper oxidative energy to the simplest, smallest unit of living matter, the cell. Cells form tissues, tissues form organs and organs form the human body, obviously this is in its very simplistic form but if you take care and provide the proper nutrients/energy to the cell then it should have a "ripple effect" throughout the organism.
So Dr. Peat's philosophy is just about maintaining proper oxidative energy through the use of protective hormones and elements such as thyroid, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, carbon dioxide, glucose, saturated fats and not letting the potentially negative hormones and elements (if chronically activated) like cortisol, adrenaline, estrogen, PUFA's, ACTH, lactic acid, carbon monoxide, parathyroid, prolactin, TSH, protein kinase C, etc... get out of control in the body."
What did all of that have to do with restoring libido, virility and livelihood? Everything. The inflammatory components Peat believes to be negative (in context), all serve to disrupt sex hormone production.
Limiting Serotonin
My first suggestion is limiting the conversion of the amino acid L-trytophan into the anti-libido hormone, serotonin. This can be done in a couple of different ways, but increasing the calcium to phosphate ratio is the most straightforward. Calcium increases carbon dioxide production, which will limit serotonin release. We'll talk more about in a second.
The next step is limiting foods high in tryptophan that don't contain calcium. This includes muscle meats and most non-dairy proteins. Gelatinous meats like: oxtail, bone broth, and even Great Lakes Gelatin are great substitutes.
- Increasing The Calcium/Phosphate Ratio - Dairy, homemade eggshell calcium
- Increasing Gelatin Consumption - Bone broth, oxtail, Great Lakes Gelatin (make sure to dissolve it first)
Increase Sugar Intake
Increasing sugar consumption has numerous applications for restoring libido. Understanding that sugar can be used of as a "dietary supplement" may help one overcome sugar-phobia. Sugars most interesting characteristic may be its ability to increase carbon dioxide (CO2). Glucose oxidation (not fatty acid oxidation) increases CO2, which suppresses the release of histamine and serotonin.
- Fruit Sugar - Very-ripe fruits, strained orange juice (if you're hardcore)
- White Sugar - White sugar has no nutrients, but its ability to rapidly activate the metabolism cannot be ignored. White sugar made into a simple syrup can be utilized as quick way to reduce stress, increase metabolism, and enhance libido.
Increase Pro-Sex Nutrients
Fat-soluble vitamins are anti-prolactin, anti-estrogen, and are the building blocks of steroid hormone synthesis. Vitamin A seems to be especially important—suggesting that the widespread use of Vitamin D to be potentially dangerous.
- Vitamin A - beef liver, egg yolks
- Vitamin D - sun, minor supplementation (if A and K levels are adequate!)
- Vitamin K - beef liver, egg yolks
- Vitamin E - beef liver, egg yolks
- Zinc/Copper - oysters, shrimp, beef liver
Conclusion
In a few short months; morning erections turned to full, orgasm sensation increased tenfold, and I experienced spontaneous erections in an almost annoying way. It was incredible. Supplements, hardcore meds, and INJECTIONS IN MY LEG (and belly) couldn't touch Peat's unorthodox approach.
Reader Comments (7)
don't high levels of calcium also contribute to ageing through calcification of the body?
@David,
Deranged calcium metabolism causes calcification.
Danny -- I came across your site while looking for reasons why my libido collapsed over the past four or so months. It was no coincidence that the loss of my libido, soft erections, depression, and anxiety were related to going on a very high vegetable, high protein, low carbohydrate diet. Approximately 50% of my calories were from fat, 25% from carbs, and 25% from protein. I was taking about 2-3 grams of fish oil a day and eating a large amount of olive oil and avocados. I've also been having hair loss issues for the past 10 years.
What got me motivated into looking at my diet was that over those past four months, I entered into my first post-divorce relationship and thought I had a serious case of performance anxiety. Thankfully, my girlfriend was quite patient and understanding. However, there was a night and day difference between my sexual response with my ex and my new girlfriend. Something was seriously wrong.
So about a week ago I came across your site and everything started clicking. I had my testosterone level checked. I'm 41, but my total testosterone was 433 ng/dl and free testosterone was 6.13 ng/dl. Yes, this is so called "normal" by my doctor, but is significantly lower than other men my age. (I essentially have the average testosterone levels of a 70-year old man.)
The rest of my blood work is actually rather good. No deficiencies and the numbers were all in a "normal" range, although my triglycerides were quite low as was my total cholesterol level (149).
5 days ago I totally abandoned my old diet, bought your Hair Like a Fox book, and started following the diet religiously. I also supplemented with pregnenolonone, dhea, and a a raw thyroid supplement. That was on Friday. When I woke up on Saturday morning, about 1 hour after taking the supplements, it was literally like a I woke up for the first time in years. Everything was more colorful and vivid and I was so happy that I was giddy -- no depression, no anxiety. In fact, I almost felt a bit manic. In other words, it was really too much. Luckily, in the days since that experience, I haven't had that over the top feeling, but have maintained the elevated mood, which has been fantastic.
But what has been most satisfying is that on Saturday night my girlfriend came over and there was no performance anxiety all all. In total, we had sex three times between that evening and Sunday morning. What a night and day difference. My erections are far stronger and don't come and go in waves. It's like I used to be in my early thirties. In addition, I'm having morning wood for the first time in it seems like years. I'm less tired and generally much happier.
Here's another interesting tidbit: I'm one of the few people to experience what's known as an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). To put it succinctly, it's an instant release of serotonin in the brain that results in a very strong body tingling sensation that is most intense on the top of your head. It feels good -- so much so that some people refer to it as a "braingasm". Typical triggers (for me at least) include some music, a light caress through my hair, or situations where I feel particularly empathetic toward someone. Since the diet and supplementation change, my ASMR has essentially disappeared. I still feel a light tingling with the same stimulus, but nothing like I had before. Interesting stuff, which implies my serotonin levels are changing, I would hazard a guess.
What blows me away is how this change happened so quickly -- far more so that I had expected. The diet's taken some getting used to. I never ate red meat, for instance, so my first experience cooking and eating liver was, well, interesting. But overall, it's not so bad. Eating ice cream is quite wonderful as I totally denied myself desserts for the past 2 or 3 years.
So, in sum, I'm looking forward to seeing where the next few months take me. So far so good!
Yeah, CW.
I am in the same boat!
From the studies i did while was sick: I found out that Calcium Carbonate (this is what you get from eggshels) is poorly absorbing, preventing other nutritions from absorbing properly too. Calcium Carbonate also neutralizes stomach acid; works like anti-heartburn medicine. It would be better to uses acidified calcium such as calcium citrate or malate. Calcium also has to be balanced with magnesium intake 1 : 1 ratio. Calcium and magnesium oppose each other: calcium constricts -- magnesium relaxes, too much calcium causes constipation - too much magnesium causes diarhea, etc.
Yeah, Ive wondered the same thing about eggshells. I want to start increasing my calcium intake, as I can't really take in too much milk YET, but have understood that calcium 'carbonate' is poorly absorbed. Whats your experience with this, if any Danny??? Does Peat happen to have some counter research to these claims. Love your guys work but still have some questions about a few things.
I'm curious as well as to the bio-availability of calcium carbonate.
If it is all converted to calcium chloride in the stomach than I suspect it will be much better absorbed.
I'd be interested in hearing any more info on the subject.