SEX IS LUST

Sexual healing ... making love can help you live longer


WANT to feel fitter, sleep more soundly, beat off bugs and stress, lose weight AND live longer? Then get back in the bedroom — because sex is good for you.

Researchers have found a bit of what you fancy can give you all these benefits and MORE.

Studies show sex can do absolute wonders in ways you probably didn’t even know.

The latest evidence comes from a study carried out at university found that older couples who had regular sex were in better physical and mental shape than those who abstained.

Dr Nancy looked at 70 married couples with an average age of 67, but says: "Sex seems to be important for how we feel about ourselves, whatever our age."

Here, Sun Health and Dr Tracy look at why a little passion can do you a world of good.

HEALTHIER HEART: Having sex three times a week for at least 20 minutes can help to reduce coronary heart disease risk by 50 per cent.

Dr Tracy says: "Some people worry about sex causing a heart attack but this is very rare. If you can cope with walking up a couple of flights of stairs then you’re fit enough to have sex — which is a whole lot more fun than stairs anyway."

STRONGER MUSCLES: Having sex tones your pelvis, buttocks, arms and thighs.

Dr Tracy says: "Because sex relaxes your muscles so well it’s especially good for back pain which a lot of women get.

"The most effective positions for backache are the missionary position or the woman on top."

LESS STRESS: Stress is a real passion-killer. But having sex produces a chemical called dopamine which counteracts the stress hormones. And just 20 minutes of sex can lead to up to two hours of relaxation.

Dr Tracy says: "Regular sex is a good stress-buster and can prevent tension headaches, which is the commonest type of head pain.

"So think twice before you use a headache as an excuse."

Lust right ... Dr Tracy
BETTER SLEEP: Nodding off after a moment of passion may be a standing joke among couples, but experts say it is only natural.

The sleep-inducing hormone oxytocin rises to FIVE times higher than normal during climax.
This means that women will find themselves wanting to sleep 20-30 minutes after orgasm, while men can expect to nod off within two to five minutes.

Dr Tracy says: "This explains why you sleep so well after satisfying sex, and why the male partner has dozed off already.

"For both of you sex is one of the best remedies for a good night’s sleep."

TOUGHER IMMUNE SYSTEM: US researchers found that people who had regular sex had significantly higher levels of bug-busting immunoglobulin A in their bodies than those who didn’t.

In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA, which is thought to be important for a healthy immune system.

They also found that breast cancer sufferers who had regular orgasms recovered faster than those who didn’t.

Dr Tracy says: "With many other forms of exercise, too much can suppress the immune system. But this doesn’t seem to happen with sex."

IMPROVED MOOD: Even if you don’t have intercourse, intimate contact releases natural painkillers.

Sex also raises levels of oestrogen in women which helps banish the blues.

Dr Tracy says: "This means you’ll get an instant high after a satisfying sex session and a longer lasting glow if your relationship is good."

GREAT SEX DRIVE: Use it or lose it — this applies to the old grey matter and muscles, but it can also be said for your libido, or sex drive.

Make sure you have sex and you’ll keep your desire for it in the future well-toned.

Dr Tracy says: "The more you’re aroused, the greater the benefits so let go and enjoy yourself."

WEIGHT REDUCTION: The hormone DHEA helps to keep bones strong and has another benefit to your body — it promotes weight loss.

It works with female hormone oestrogen to trigger the "fatty acid cycle" which raises metabolic rate and helps women burn off calories. It also helps to reduce cholesterol levels in both sexes.
You burn at least 100 calories an hour when you have sex.

Dr Tracy says: "If you want to shed pounds, a more active sex life could be just what you need to help weight loss."

KEEPING YOUNG: A clinical neuropsychologist estimates that couples who make love three times a week look between four and seven years younger than those having little or no sex.

Vigorous activity raises oxygen levels stimulating blood flow and pushing fresh skin cells to the surface, making it look and feel younger.

Dr Tracy says: "It’s debatable whether you look younger because you have plenty of sex, or you get plenty of sex because you look younger. Either way, it’s worth a try!"