Low levels of zinc have been linked with poor libido in women and low sperm count and sex drive in men. Foods rich in zinc include the classic aphrodisiac, seafood, and less sexy items such as whole grain bread and brown rice, green leafy vegetables, lean red meat and crumbly cheeses such as Cheshire or Lancashire. If you think your zinc intake is low, start taking more of an interest in these foods. It has to be said, however, that once your zinc level reaches the ideal norm, there is, alas, no additional benefit to be experienced by overeating zinc-rich foods or taking a zinc supplement. Your cholesterol level has an interesting role to play, too, as there is a link between cholesterol and sex hormones.
Cholesterol is the major carrier hormone of testosterone and estrogen.
Men who lower their cholesterol levels very quickly, or take them below the recommended range, can suffer from low levels of circulating testosterone and hence a low libido. This is common in men who become obsessive about their eating and try to exclude all fat from their diet. The Fat Advantage Equally, it can happen to people who suffer from digestive complaints that cause fat malabsorption, such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It can also occur when part of the gut has been removed through surgery, as this decreases the amount of saturated fat that can be absorbed, and hence the quantity of cholesterol that can be manufactured. Most people know only about the negative aspects of cholesterol.