Problems of the reproductive organs, both male and female, often are rooted in nutritional deficiencies. A constant supply of good nutrition may be even more important to the male system than to the female system, since, in general, the manufacture of semen (which is high in nutrients) requires frequent replenishment.

If your sexual energy (libido) is low, there is good reason to believe that your body is sending you a message that your diet is generally insufficient and, in particular, is not supplying the full range of nutrients necessary to support the biological functions of the sex glands and leave enough energy left over for sex.

A nutritional supplement program, the correct diet and stress reduction can help reverse and solve many problems of the sexual/reproductive system.

Male Reproductive System Recommendations:

The quiz does not pinpoint disease, but a high score suggests that your reproductive organs may need some extra nourishment and nutritional support.

The prostate gland often causes problems in mid-life when enlargements can interfere with urination. Correcting any nutritional deficiencies will help prevent or relieve prostate problems. Cut back or eliminate irritants such as caffeine (coffee, tea, colas), alcohol, tobacco, hot peppers and decaf coffee. Dehydration irritates the prostate as well. Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water every day -- include herbal teas and fresh juices in that total.

Try to eat 5-6 servings (half cup each) of fresh vegetables daily (especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, winter squash and leafy greens like kale, collards, beet greens and salad greens) -- steamed, raw, stir-fried and in soups, casseroles, pastas, etc. Eat brown rice often, as well as whole grain pastas, breads, cereals and legumes.

A four to five day cleansing diet of fruits, steamed and raw vegetables and fresh fruit and vegetable juices would be very helpful.

There are several nutrients and herbs that are known to support the prostate gland. Since these are natural remedies and not drugs, do not expect to see a difference in a few days. It may take several months. Take a good multivitamin/mineral tablet and add foods rich in zinc to your diet. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, mushrooms, onions, eggs, tahini, popcorn, steak, lamb, oysters and mustard are good sources of zinc. To ensure a daily supply of zinc you can simply eat a handful of pumpkin seeds as a snack.

Take a zinc picolinate supplement (30mg daily) with a meal for two to three months.

Take vitamin C (preferably powdered or crystals), 500mg once or twice daily for two months.

Take vitamin E, 200 I.U.'s daily (with a meal containing fat) for at least two months. You can safely take vitamin E on an indefinite basis as well.

A green food powdered supplement that is dissolved in water or diluted juice would be an excellent supplement for you. It would give you a quick green boost (minerals) and, since it is a food-source supplement, it is easily absorbed. Wheat grass, barley grass, sometimes alfalfa, spirulina and chlorella are the main ingredients. They supply an extra boost of vegetable protein, minerals, a wide range of vitamins and chlorophyl (good for your liver). Wakunaga Kyo-Green would be a good one to try (it's not too expensive) but there are others available if you can't find it. Green superfoods are really good fatigue fighters, too.

A low fat diet is important. If you are a big meat eater, try to cut back. Also reduce your consumption of cheese, butter, cream, etc. Cut back on fried foods, margarine and oils as well. Cut back on alcohol consumption, especially beer. Add some Essential Fatty Acids to your diet.

Saw palmetto and pygeum are herbal supplements used to treat prostate enlargement. Health food stores often carry a men's supplement formula containing both these herbs, or you can buy them separately.

Ginseng is often effective in improving low sex drive but it's important to take a standardized formula and it must be the right kind of ginseng -- some ginsengs can raise blood pressure. I recommend seeing a holistic medical doctor, such as a naturopath or homeopath, to get the best herbal combination for you. Regular exercise, such as swimming, walking or dancing, can improve energy levels and sex drive. Sluggish adrenals could also be a factor in your reproductive system problems.

However, if you drink a lot of coffee and/or alcohol or eat red meat, fried foods, junk foods (sweets, chips, colas, etc.) or eat typical fast food meals several times a week you will likely find that switching to the healthier diet I've recommended will make you more energetic and you'll feel like having sex more often as well.