Sex Talk: You have a natural aphrodisiac

Do you know what the special ingredient in well-known aphrodisiacs is? Zinc.

Go on and google what is so special about those mulondo roots (White’s ginger) men religiously chew on and drink as juice – women too, by the way, have developed a taste for mulondo. Hoo!

Or check for what is so special about oysters, the world-renowned shellfish aphrodisiac. Zinc. As a mineral, your body and sex life desperately need zinc, especially as you grow older.

A doctor once explained it to me that we are born with healthy doses of different minerals in our bodies: zinc, copper, magnesium, silver, gold, iron, calcium, etc. And that is why in our youth, we are a force to reckon with in every aspect, because those minerals remain in good quantities, directing everything about our life from moods to hormones, blood quality and quantity, bone and teeth strength, blood pressure, libido, name it.

But as we grow older, these natural minerals also get depleted and are slow to replenish naturally as our diets are now far from what our healthier ancestors and grandparents ate. Enter mineral supplements, depending on what deficiency your body suffers from.

Many people with libido issues look at their spouses with accusatory eyes, assuming that their guitars are sounding off-key because the player does not know what s/he is doing; nope, sometimes, the guitar (read body) just needs tuning.

It may have been in tune once, but when was the last time you tuned it? Get yourself on to a diet rich in zinc, which foods are mostly readily available in Uganda. Red meat, chicken, dairy products like cheeses and milk, nuts, pumpkin seeds, fish, chia seeds, mulondo, etc.

If you are a finicky eater, at least add a zinc supplement – tablets/capsules or under-tongue sprays – to your daily intake. Doctors only warn that as you boost zinc, also keep an eye on your copper levels, because the former depletes the latter. And copper is important for the nervous system and your immunity.

Otherwise, if your low libido is accompanied by low energy, brain fog, hormonal issues, then your body is possibly low on zinc. Of course, this is not a medical diagnosis – by all means see your doctor – but, just saying!

I have come to appreciate minerals for the body more. Things we overlook, such as a magnesium deficiency, can trigger serious health issues. You may be on some strict diet to lose weight and look like a million bucks, but that same diet could be denying your body important minerals such as zinc, leaving you looking amazing, indeed, but feeling depressed and hormonal because other aspects of your biological composition just got switched off unintentionally.

That is why I prefer someone who allows me to eat in moderation/small portions, as opposed to one who tells me to get off most food completely. I have realized that almost every food – with the exception of processed sugar – has benefits to your body.

So, before you condemn yourself to an asexual marriage till kingdom come, check that your minerals’ levels, especially for zinc, are okay.

Someone wrote on X about zinc: “Zinc isn’t subtle. It’s a biological ignition trigger” – because of its effect on smell and taste, brain health, cognitive function, alertness, thyroid function… All of which are super important for a healthy sex life.

caronakazibwe@gmail.com