Getting into ginkgo. "Ginkgo biloba is famous for improving memory and slowin brain aging, but new research shows it's a powerful anti-anxiety agent too," says Dr. Bloom-field. In fact, studies show that 120 to 180 mg. of the herb daily lowers stress and anxiety by as much as 79 percent. The reason, say doctors, is that ginkgo increases brain levels of dopamine - a chemical essential for calm, clear thinking under stress. 

Going a little nuts. It's a vicious cycle: chronic stress milks our bodies of magnesium - "the very nutrient we need to relax muscles and keep anxiety and blood pressure low,"  says cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. "As magnesium stores drop, stress levels shoot up, causing even more magnesium loss."  The solution: 125 mg. of magnesium three times daily, along with regular doses of magnesium-rich nuts, seeds, seafood and brown rice. 

Woman’s World 10/6/98 Page 16 
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