Increased libido on SLD

[spacehoppa]

OK, this is a bit embarassing, but I've got to ask anyway...

Over on the Oil debate boards, both Dennise and I have mentioned that we have increased libido on this diet . I'm not sure whether she's taking the oil or sugar, but I'm taking 2 spoons of hempseed oil a day (rich in omega 3).

Can you account for this and have you heard of it before? Also, on of the progress boards there's been mention of a decrease in pre-menstrual symptoms. I can't speak to that as I'm on birth control at the moment, but perhaps the oil has some profound effect on female hormones? What do you think?

If this diet could be used as a means of increasing libido and as a diet and as a way of sorting out PMS, I know lots of women who'd be queing round the block to start on this today ...seriously though, that's pretty amazing stuff!

[GilbertZ]

Can't answer your question but I'm sure everyone on this diet for awhile experiences noted sensations of their partner's increased libido 

[Dixie_Amazon]

If this diet could be used as a means of increasing libido and as a diet and as a way of sorting out PMS, I know lots of women who'd be queing round the block to start on this today ...seriously though, that's pretty amazing stuff!

Looking back I did have decreased PMS symptoms. I was less moody/weepy and had fewer breakouts. Normally I get several acne cysts on my face and this time I only had one. I have to take not next time also.

[Miller]

May 13, Seth Roberts reports his book has hit #10 on the NYT bestseller list.
May 14, anonymous female on the internet reports that the Shangri-La Diet has increased her libido.

Coincidence?

[Dixie_Amazon]

I think not!

[Widget]

I swear to God, I thought your post said "humpseed"

[Dixie_Amazon]

And where is your mind? Maybe its all the oil. 

[Will]

Well this is just a wild hypothesis (ie probably wrong), but the logic behind the diet is that it suggests to your body that you are in a famine time and should lose weight.  It is possible that the process that regulates set point might also regulate other hormonal systems (or at least affect them).  Having said that logic would suggest that you would have less libido during a famine since having/raising children during a famine would be double difficult. 

A simpler explanation is that the initial effect of the diet (more control of hunger/eating) and the expect long term effects of the diet (fat loss) could make you feel better about yourself and more confident.  In my experience confidence helps libido a great deal. 

Still it is an interesting effect if widespread.  One that I think should be encouraged and embraced so keep us updated. 

[DirkVA]

What is reasonably certain is that the more people rejoice in weight loss with this plan, the more attractive SETH will seem.

[spacehoppa]

You guys ...gosh, I knew this would descend into locker room humour at some point, I just didn't think it would be so soon .

Well, my theory is that it's something in the oil that is increasing the libido. I take your comments on board Will about the increased self-confidence, but I've only lost 5 lbs so far, so I don't think it's that. I know that Evening Primrose Oil can have a positive effect on menstrual symptoms, so maybe it's an extension of that. Perhaps it's the huge quantities daily that make the effects extend all the way to the bedroom?? Whatever, my husband is delighted  .

[Victoria]

Weightloss and increased libido and decreased pms? 

If this is true, it should be called "Heaven", not "Shangri La"!   

(I'll let you know what happens...)

[mjohnson121]

Hmmmm...and I WASN'T going to try and push SLD on my wife....

[bekel]

I'm actively in menopause, and my hot flashes are now much more intense than they were before--but this is only my third day.

The reason I think it's diet related is that until Thursday I was fine. Friday was the worst I have ever been since memopause started, and I've had shirts drenched. I've been in menopause for a year now, and was in perimenopause for 4. This morning is quite burning as welll too.

Gained a pound but can see decreased appetite (that started yesterday also)

[mjohnson121]

In thinking more about this, there is somewhat of a paradox it seems, assuming that increased libido really DOES happen in a significant (statistically) portion of women. Which is this, generally from a evolutionary perspective, wouldn't being in a weight loss state LOWER libido (body say "hey, no babies right now, i'm probably starving!"). Yet on the other hand, taking all of the oil could be sending a signal to the body that says "hey, plenty of fat here, let's have a baby."

What I'm getting at here is I wonder if the lowering of set point and then the lowering of caloric intake has a different effect on the body than just regular caloric deprivation (other than no hunger pains!).

Assuming that leptin is the hormone that the set point is based on, I found an interesting abstract:

http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.med.52.1.339;jsessionid=iAMYH_C5A794pQu9pT?cookieSet=1&journalCode=med

"Thus, leptin decreases food intake and body weight, and it increases fat oxidation and energy expenditure, ultimately favoring leanness. Lack of leptin secretion, the inability of leptin to reach the brain, or the inability of leptin to interact with hypothalamic leptin receptors, prevent leptin's effects and lead to obesity."

-Mark

[mary]

We started using rice bran oil as a supplement over a year ago. When we first started using it on my fatherinlaw who is 75 years old, we noticed immediate changes. His diagnosis is diabetes, COPD, arteriosclerosis and just plain weak. Wasn't diagnosed, but we have also noticed confusion at times.  Within a month time, we began to notice that things were coming back to life, that all thought were long since dead. So I went back to the person who recommended the oil to me, and he said yes, a change in libido will be seen. This was explained to me, by the fact of the amount of omegas(3-6-9??) in the oil. Plus rice bran oil is also high in the b vitamins and the e vitamins. According to some research, rice bran oil feeds the brain.  Do a search on the oil you are using, and find out what good things are in unheated oil. You will be amazed to find, that uncooked oil is very very good for you. I saw a sign at my health food store the other day, that said sesame oil will reduce high blood pressure.  So I tried it on dad, and it brought his pressure down 50 points in one dose. Now granted, it would have to be given more often, and on a steady basis to actually be practical, but adding a tablespoon of oil to meals three times a day is actually pretty easy.... Coconut oil is suppose to be good for your skin, will make it soft and younger looking. Try different oils, and do some searches on what good things they can do for you. You will be pleasantly surprised