Ginkgo is one of the most extensively studied plants, long used for memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, and conditions stemming from decreased blood flow to the brain, including memory loss. Widely used, ginkgo continues to be among the best-selling herbal supplements in Europe and the United States. However, as with any herbal supplement, consult your doctor before using ginkgo for medicinal purposes.
About Memory Loss
Memory loss is usually age-related. Symptoms come on gradually and may include decline in learning, awareness, concentration, thinking and use of language. You can reduce the effects of memory loss by employing some self-care activities such as engaging in regular exercise, eating right and taking supplements such as ginkgo.
How It Works
Ginkgo contains substances called flavonoids and terpenoids, potent antioxidants responsible for its beneficial health effects. Antioxidants work to scavenge free radicals, which are natural chemicals in the body that increase in number as we age and possibly contribute to health problems, such memory loss. Flavonoids may also work to mildly inhibit platelet stickiness in blood vessels, which may offer additional benefit for preventing disorders resulting from inadequate blood circulation.
Dosing
Ginkgo is available as standardized extracts to contain 24 to 32 percent of flavonoids, or flavone glycosides, and 6 to 12 percent terpenoids. You can buy ginkgo supplements in capsule, tablet and liquid extract forms, as well as dried leaf for teas. Most research studies have typically used standardized ginkgo in daily doses of 240 mg, divided in two or three portions over the day for age-related memory loss.
Effectiveness
Most, but not all, human trials evaluating the effects of ginkgo on age-related memory loss have found ginkgo supplementation to offer benefits in preventing memory loss. For example, a study published in the journal "Neurology" in 2008 showed that ginkgo slowed the progression of memory loss in normal elderly people. However, a study of elderly people with age-related memory loss published in the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society" in 2000 showed no benefit from ginkgo treatment.
References
- National Institutes of Health; Ginkgo; November 24, 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Ginkgo Biloba; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; March 26, 2009
- PaloAltoMedicalFoundation.org: Age-Related Cognitive Decline
- PaloAltoMedicalFoundation.org; Ginkgo; April 14, 2010
- "Neurology"; A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba for the prevention of cognitive decline; H.H. Dodge et al.; May 2008
- "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society"; The efficacy of ginkgo for elderly people with dementia and age-associated memory impairment: new results of a randomized clinical trial; M.C. van Dongen et al.; October 2000
