
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 9, 1994                   TAG: 9409090039
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROMANTIC BOOSTERS

Greg Godek, author of ``1001 Ways To Be Romantic'' and ``The Portable Romantic'' (useful for commuters?), says he's seen proof that though love can break hearts, that's only in an emotional sense. In fact, he claims, love is good for your health.

He's compiled some helpful and healthful romantic boosters.

Vitamin A aids night vision, an important function during those candlelight dinners.

Vitamin B complexes reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue, which can put a damper on romance (and perhaps cure the old ``I've got a headache'' excuse). They also help to restore the vitamins all that champagne has washed away (see candlelight dinners, above).

A sweet red pepper can spice up your love life with its high levels of vitamin C, touted for its ability to restore fertility in some men. Deficiencies in this vitamin result in fatigue and loose teeth (hardly desirable qualities in a romantic partner).

Studies of vitamin E show that it increases fertility ... and you can use it as a massage oil.

Individuals deprived of physical contact are insecure and more prone to illness.

Married people have longer life spans than those who are single.

``Lovers can live on kisses and cool water,'' an old French proverb goes. Especially if at least some of the kisses are chocolate, according to Godek.

Chocolate contains magnesium, and though medical science has found few cures for broken hearts, magnesium - which relaxes muscles - may help mend them.

And don`t forget the heart-shaped box.

by CNB