Ginkgo biloba is a popular dietary supplement/herb that derives from the unusual, fan-shaped leaves of the Chinese Maidenhair tree. The tree is the last remaining species in its family of trees, and has survived unchanged in China for over 200 million years. The Chinese have used the leaves for thousands of years for various ailments.
The leaves of the Ginkgo tree are not eaten raw; rather, they are prepared in a standardized extract. The extract contains potent antioxidants. For the consumer, Ginkgo’s antioxidants are listed on supplement bottles as 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. Researchers’ extract is commonly called EGb 761. The antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals in the body that can damage DNA and lead to chronic diseases.
Proven Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba
There is strong scientific evidence, according to the Mayo Clinic Web site, that Ginkgo relieves pains in the legs due to poor circulation (called claudication). There is also strong scientific evidence that Ginkgo biloba benefits memory and quality of life of Alzheimer 'sand other dementia patients.
Rated as good scientific evidence at the Mayo Web site, Ginkgo improves what is called cerebral insufficiency of otherwise healthy people. The symptoms include absent-mindedness, confusion, dizziness, poor concentration and anxiety. Taking cerebral insufficiency one-step further, many healthy people claim to use Ginkgo to enhance their memory, but the scientific evidence for that is still forthcoming.
Natural health expert Michael Murray, N.D., calls Ginkgo a super-antioxidant and believes it promotes anti-aging – just the symptoms of cerebral insufficiency. EGb 761 carries out its work by increasing blood flow to the legs, brain and all parts of the body.
Dementia Patients Improve with Ginkgo
A German study, reported in the July 2008 issue of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, treated 410 Alzheimer’s or other dementia patients, average age 65, with daily doses of 240 mg of EGb 761 or a placebo, for six months. The Ginkgo group significantly improved in memory function and quality of life over the placebo group. Researcher Ralf Ihl, M.D., admits no study has shown a preventive effect, for healthy people, using Ginkgo biloba.
Ginkgo Doesn’t Prevent Dementia
Making big news at the end of 2008 was a six-year research study reported in the November 19, 2008 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). It found that Ginkgo biloba was not any more effective for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia than a placebo.
The 3069 subjects, all over age 75, took EGb 761 twice a day (total 240 mg) or a placebo. Study volunteers had normal awareness or very mild impairment at the start of the trial. Many news stories have seemed to generalize this research trial, and wrongly discount Ginkgo biloba for any beneficial use.
Ginkgo Compared to Donepezil (Aricept)
A research study that appeared in the September 2006 issue of the European Journal of Neurology compared EGb 761 to the common drug used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease –donepezil (trade name Aricept). The six-month study began with 76 people, ages 50 to 80, who were divided into three groups, those who took EGb 761 (160 mg per day), donepezil (5 mg per day) or a placebo.
The results for the 60 individuals who finished the study showed a significant improvement in attention and memory for the Ginkgo and donepezil groups over the placebo group. In fact, the researchers noted that Ginkgo and donepezil produced the same improved-memory results. Furthermore, the Ginkgo group was side-effect-free compared to the donepezil group that had reported diarrhea or nausea symptoms, and Ginkgo, of course, was considerably less expensive.
The Score on Ginkgo Biloba
Research trials have proved that Ginkgo biloba slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease for those already diagnosed, and improves their quality of life. A 2006 study showed that Ginkgo has the same effect as the much more expensive drug, donepezil, without its side effects. EGb 761 promotes circulation, tempers leg pain and there is good scientific evidence for its use to combat cerebral insufficiency of healthy people. At this time, Ginkgo biloba does not appear to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
This is an educational article only. Consult your physician with any questions about Ginkgo biloba, especially if taking prescription meds.
Reference
“Ginkgo Biloba.” Creatine Information Center, accessed May 28, 2009.
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