Love Your Way to Fitness

Forget about diets and joining a gym, according to scientists the best way to improve your fitness is to have more sex.

Medical experts are claiming that making love will slow down the aging process, strengthen the immune system, improve your circulation and could even increase your life expectancy.

Dr David Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist in the UK, has found that couples who have more sex actually live longer. In his study, Dr Weeks interviewed over 3,000 volunteers aged between 18 and 102. He estimates that couples who make love about three times a week look between four and seven years younger than those having little or no sex.

He said, "Sex is an excellent aerobic exercise because it raises the heart beat and pumps oxygen around the body which improves the immune system, boosts circulation and keeps you lean."

Interestingly, Dr Weeks found individuals who were having sex in a loving relationships enjoyed more health benefits than those who were promiscuous. He said, "This is because a healthy sexual relationship combines physical and psychological ties. Loyalty is part and parcel of a fulfilling sex life."

Five health benefits of sex:

Healthy Skin: Vigorous activity raises oxygen levels throughout the entire body. This stimulates blood flow and nutrients, effectively pushing fresh skin cells to the skin's surface.

Improves Fitness: You burn at least 100 calories every hour - that's 5000 calories a year if you are having sex two to three times a week. You will also be giving all the major muscle groups a demanding workout.

Mood Enhancement: The female orgasm produces a hormone called oxytocin which generates warm emotions making you feel more affectionate.

Strengthens the Immune System: An American study by Dr Dudley Chapman of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine reveals that breast cancer sufferers who experienced regular orgasms recovered faster than those who didn't.

Reduces Stress: Numerous scientists have found evidence that orgasms trigger the release of endorphins - the feel-good chemicals secreted by the brain that act as effective painkillers.