Jenny Lehmann in Discover:
While a drop in libido is often associated with aging in women, it’s not just a female issue. Around 26 percent of men over 70 report a loss of sexual desire as well. Sex isn’t just about reproduction — physical intimacy fosters emotional connection, reduces stress, boosts the immune system, and generally improves mood. Understanding what affects our libido can reveal how lifestyle changes might enhance our sex drive and relationships. Age-related libido changes are seen across mammalian species. For example, older mice also show a decline in sexual activity, leading to lower offspring production.
Researchers from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), alongside teams from Qingdao University and the University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, initially set out to investigate how intermittent fasting in male mice might affect their offspring. However, their study, published in Cell Metabolism, uncovered something unexpected: long-term fasting increased sex drive across all age groups. Their hypothesis? A change in neurotransmitter concentrations in the brain, which could potentially be used to treat libido loss in humans.
More here.
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