Are a lack of energy or health issues impacting your level of desire and intimacy? If so, paying attention to "sexual nutrition" might give you new vitality and provide the boost you’re seeking.

It’s often said that a great sex life depends on a healthy lifestyle and diet. Your body is complex and needs proper hormone levels and adequate blood flow to help ensure you achieve sexual satisfaction, both for yourself and your partner.

While it’s true that emotion, intimacy, romance and even being with the "right" person help, if you’re lacking the proper vitamins, minerals and proteins your body may not function optimally, despite the romantic mojo, tantalizing foreplay or even sex toy games that you bring to your intimate encounters.

Improving your sex life begins with improving your diet. Food is a powerful force. For years, believers have heralded the aphrodisiac properties of some food items and their ability to boost libido and enhance sexual desire. Whether or not specific foods contain "magical" amorous capabilities still raises some controversy, but science has proven there is a link between certain nutrients and sexual performance.

When it comes to sexual nutrition, the most important advice is to eat heart healthy to promote better blood flow throughout your body and in particular to your genital area. The protein in eggs, cheese, and meat helps maintain proper levels of enzymes, hormones and neurotransmitters that can affect performance. Broccoli, asparagus, beans and potatoes may boost hormone production, improve circulation and increase both desire and sexual satisfaction.

You probably already know about one of the most famous "sex foods"–chocolate, which can lift your energy and encourage the release of certain neurotransmitters that can help put you in the mood for love. No wonder it’s been a part of so many romantic moments for so many couples!

But there are other places to turn than just the sweet stuff. Vitamin E is known to protect the body from free radicals that can affect sex drive; iron and magnesium can fight fatigue and increase desire. Omega-3 boosts libido; zinc is believed to help with sperm production and sexual development and function. If you don’t get all the necessary nutrients from your diet, taking supplements can help you build a better, healthier sex life.

As for cigarettes and alcohol, consider eliminating them from your life. Why? You know these products can be bad for you. But did you know they can also elevate serotonin, which inhibits sexual function, and disrupt the balance of dopamine, which is responsible for increasing sexual desire? Too much alcohol also has a depressant effect and nicotine slows blood flow. So, it’s okay to snuggle up and share a glass of wine, but then set the bottle aside and let your aphrodisiac-laden meal, emotions and passion drive the rest of your romantic interlude.

Proper nutrition and lifestyle are important to achieve optimal sexual health, but don’t forget about the other things that matter, too, like romance, communication and even sex toys. You can address the health part by taking vitamin supplements or spicing up your diet and sex life by incorporating more healthful choices into your meals. Combine intimacy with nutrition by preparing romantic meals together or experimenting with different aphrodisiac foods to see what works for you. You can even take this concept from the kitchen to the bedroom by incorporating some of those food items into your sexual play as sex toys.

So make your shopping list, take a trip to the store and let sexual nutrition work its benefits on you!