SEX AND YOUR DIET

by Candy Cumming ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 21, 1986

A breathlessly arch diet and health guide whose first sentence sets the tone: ""With a name like Candy Cumming, figure a book about food and sex is my destiny."" The reader's destiny is sealed by the title of the first chapter: ""Sex and the Single Carrot."" ""Come on now,"" Cumming admonishes, ""get your kinky thoughts away."" Having done that, we learn that carrots are rich in vitamin A which (wow!) helps us see our sex partner in the dark. Vitamin A also (gulp!) prevents us from becoming ""horny."" This, Cumming quickly explains, is the development of ""scaly"" or ""keratinized"" mucous cells in our ""private parts."" We certainly don't want that; nor do we want cancer of the cervix or prostate, also related to Vitamin A-deficient diets. Carrot in hand, we plunge on to learn all sorts of fascinating things. Zinc and Vitamin C are also helpful in warding off cancer of both the prostate and testicles. Birth-control pills interfere with effective metabolism of Vitamins B1, B6, C and A. The B-complex group helps women suffering from premenstrual tension; menstrual cramps are sometimes alleviated by magnesium plus Vitamin B6. Too much dietary fat wreaks all kinds of havoc with our sex lives: it makes us unattractively obese and is indicted in various cancers. Zinc, selenium and B-complex vitamins are great for sperm production; alcohol is terrible. Cigarettes reduce sperm motility, selenium enhances it. (Rich sources of the latter include organ meats, lean meats, garlic, mushrooms, seafood, whole-grain products, asparagus.) And yes, exercise is good for us. Obviously, this is all quite familiar. Once again we are advised to hew to a low-fat, high fiber, moderate protein, high complex carbohydrate diet, to exercise regularly and to keep away from cigarettes and alcohol. Cumming's message basically boils down to: Good health is necessary for good sex. Her smirking approach to it isn't.

Pub Date: Feb. 21, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Human Kinetics/Leisure Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION