How an active sex life will keep you young, toned, healthy

The more action you get between the sheets, the better for you!

Sex, which is said to make one look and feel young by boosting the skin's production of Vitamin D, has many other advantages, as revealed by an expert.

Jennifer Dunkerley listed ten reasons why copulation is good and why people should have an active sex life.

1. It keeps your heart pumping

The idea that men are more at risk of a heart attack during lovemaking is wrong, says Professor Peter Weisberg, British Heart Foundation medical director.

He says there is no evidence that men who have sex regularly in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond are at increased risk.

Finnish scientists have found that men who have sex at least twice a week are less likely to suffer erectile dysfunction in later life.

"While stress can have an effect on your libido, it is important to understand that sex is the greatest natural stress reliever," the Daily Star quoted Dr Irvine Hendrix as saying.

A study of more than 50 middle-aged women found sex, or even simple physical affection with your partner, significantly reduces a negative mood and stress and creates more positive moods in the following days.

"Sex is a low-intensity workout so the time and intensity of your sexual activity will ultimately determine how many calories you burn. The other good news is that sex will count towards your daily 30 minutes of activity," Gillian Reeves, group exercise manager at Virgin Active, said.

"Sex will release endorphins which make you feel good, so you can have fun and feel great at the same time," Reeves said.

"If you feel like your physical appearance is good, then you'll be much more likely to engage in physical activity like sex just because you just feel better," Dr Pamela Peeke told the 2011 Zumba fitness convention.

"Sex involves lots of muscle activity so you'll continue to feel fit and toned. It's a winning formula," she added.

Those who have sex more than twice a week produce more immuno-globulin A, a substance found in saliva that helps the immune system to fight off colds and flu.

Anti-ageing expert Dr Eric Braverman reckons an active sex life can help you look and feel younger by boosting the skin's production of Vitamin D.

Men who have sex less than once a month have double the risk of dying prematurely than those who have sex twice a week, a study in Wales showed.

Orgasms promote a spike in the production of the pain-dulling hormones endorphin and cortisol. This means sex can relieve all kinds of aches and pains, including rheumatism and migraines.