Ken Babal, staff nutritionist, Erewhon Natural Foods, Los Angeles on the use of nutritional therapy as an alternative treatment for sexual dysfunction:
You know, when there are breeding problems with animals, usually the first question asked by the vet is how have you been feeding the animal. Unfortunately, we don't ask that question often enough of humans. Diet has a large part to do with that.
In fact, sexual performance is a little bit like an athletic event. And you've got to be fit, do all the things that you need to do for good health in general: moderation with alcohol, exercise, rest, sound nutrition — all of those things. And a lot of times when I see clients, many of them are smokers. They're overweight. They're not fit. So that's something we have to call to their attention. And there's no quick solutions. You have to cultivate good habits. But once patients see the connection, they know what they have to do. Certain supplements, though, can be helpful as well.
