Dietary Supplement:Ginkgo Biloba

Jason KroutDecember 15, 2013

What are dietary supplements?

An ingredient taken by mouth, in addition to the diet

May be herbs, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, or botancials

Found in capsule, powder, liquid, and tablet forms The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does

not ‘regulate’ dietary supplements The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the

product’s safety

Ginkgo Biloba:An Overview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkmpIr0A-6I

Ginkgo Biloba:Description

An herb Extract is made from the

leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree

Ginkgo Biloba:Common Uses For memory disorders,

such as Alzheimer’s Conditions where blood

flow is reduced to the brain, such as:› Memory loss› Headache› Ringing in ears› Vertigo› Mood disorders

Ginkgo Biloba:Common Uses Continued

Glaucoma Diabetic eye disease Lyme disease Sexual performance

problems Depression Also used in cosmetics

How does Ginkgo Biloba work?

Appears to improve blood flow and circulation which may help increase flow to the brain, eyes, ears, etc.

Ginkgo Biloba is thought to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease by interfering with changes in the brain related to thinking

Ginkgo Biloba:Scientific Studies Researchers (2012) conducted a

meta-analysis of 13 studies and found that Ginkgo Biloba provided no impact at all on the cognitive functioning of healthy people who took the drug

A 2008 study conducted over 6 years and involving over 3,ooo people over age 75 found that120 mg of Ginkgo Biloba was not effective in reducing the rate of dementia in elderly individuals with healthy cognition

Ginkgo Biloba:Scientific Studies A third study looked to

determine if Ginkgo Biloba reduced risk of cardiac events

Over 3000 people were enrolled, age 75 and older and there was found to be no effect on reduction of cardiovascular disease

Ginkgo BilobaManufactured by Nature Made ® Product website:

› http://www.naturemade.com/

Website claims Ginkgo Biloba may improve memory and increase blood flow and circulation

Dosage recommendation is 2 tablets, 3 times a day with meals

Approximately $11.00 for 30 day supply

Ginkgo BilobaManufactured by Nature Made ® Warnings on website:

› Interactions with anticoagulants, oral hypoglycemic medications, antihypertensive drugs

The website discloses their product is not regulated by the FDA and not intended to treat or cure disease

Conclusion

Scientific studies have not shown ginkgo biloba supplements to be effective in improvement of memory or reduction of cardiovascular disease

In fact, in a recent study, ginkgo biloba was found to cause cancer in lab animals, a finding which could have strong implications on the use of ginkgo biloba

References

http://www.naturemade.com/ http://

www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-333-GINKGO.aspx?activeIngredientId=333&activeIngredientName=GINKGO

JAMA. 2008;300(19):2253-2262. doi:10.1001/jama.2008.683 Keith R Laws, Hilary Sweetnam, Tejinder K Kondel. Is Ginkgo biloba a

cognitive enhancer in healthy individuals? A meta-analysis. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 2012; DOI: 10.1002/hup.2259

Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2010 Jan;3(1):41-7. doi: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.109.871640. Epub 2009 Nov 24.