Ginkgo Biloba, an herbal supplement, is used to improve memory, treat Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as boost blood circulation. It contains antioxidants which neutralize free radicals – molecules that can damage cells.
It can be found in capsule, tablet, liquid extract or dried leaf form at most health food stores and online.
Improves circulation
Ginkgo biloba improves blood circulation to the brain and helps with memory, concentration and focus. It also protects against neurodegenerative diseases. It also reduces inflammation and prevents oxidative damage, which are the primary causes of cognitive decline.
The herb contains a large number of antioxidants, including flavonoids and terpenoids. Ginkgo has been shown to protect nerves, the heart muscle, the blood vessels and the retina in laboratory and animal studies. It increases the production nitric oxygen, which opens blood vessels and reduces the stickiness in blood of platelets, improving circulation. It also inhibits cancer cell growth.
Ginkgo is a powerful antioxidant, which means it prevents oxidative damage to cells and tissues. It can help increase the activity of two important antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and glutathione, which are involved in many different bodily functions, including fighting free radicals. Ginkgo can reduce the incidence of chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Ginkgo biloba also improves circulation in the entire body. It can reduce the symptoms of asthma such as wheezing and coughing. It also reduces stroke risk in people with atherosclerosis. It can also be used to treat glaucoma and vertigo. Gingko is available as tea or capsules.
Clinical trials have shown that ginkgo can improve the mental performance of healthy adults. It can also slow down the development of proteins that cause Alzheimer’s in animals. Ginkgo biloba’s effectiveness in humans will require more research.
Researchers have only recently discovered that ginkgo biloba can be used as an anti-aging herbal remedy. Ginkgo is believed to protect against aging through blocking the oxidation fatty acids within cells. It also helps to keep the membranes of cells supple and pliable, which is essential for cell repair and regeneration. In addition, ginkgo biloba has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect, and it can even slow the deterioration of the nervous system.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is a body’s reaction to an injury or foreign substance which causes damage. Ginkgo biloba extract has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammation, which is why it is used as a treatment for conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart disease, and stroke. It can also help prevent glaucoma, as well as other eye diseases. Ginkgo is believed to work by lowering oxidative stress levels and increasing antioxidant activity in the body, which help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Ginkgo biloba is a powerful antidepressant. It can improve mental health and mood. In one study, it was shown that ginkgo improved the transmission of nerve messages in the brain responsible for memory, mood and task completion. In a clinical trial, ginkgo biloba was taken by a group of people for four weeks. This improved cognition among those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Researchers believe that ginkgo works by increasing the uptake of glucose in brain cells (broken-down sugar) and enhancing signalling pathways.
The two most common solvents for extracting ginkgo are ethanol and acetone. The ginkgo ethanol extract EGb761 is commonly used as a clinically evaluated preparation due to European Pharmacopoeia recommendations; however, in countries where the amount of acetone allowed in the preparation of food supplements or plant extracts is limited, a ginkgo acetone extract G24 may be preferred. We have found for the first time that ginkgo acetone and ethanol extracts, similarly standardized, exert comparable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in human endothelial cells.
The acetone soluble glycosides in ginkgo inhibited proinflammatory mediators like monocyte chemoattractant-1 (MCA-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (SVAM-1) in human endothelial cell. This effect was enhanced by co-treatment of the cilostazol a highly effective inhibitor for vascular calcification. These results suggest that ginkgo biloba is able to inhibit inflammatory processes by blocking the production of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules and reducing the infiltration of macrophages into atherosclerotic lesion areas.
Enhances Memory
Ginkgo biloba (GBE), a natural extract, is used in the treatment of a variety of conditions that can affect memory and brain function. Several clinical trials indicate that it is effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and other age-related memory impairment syndromes. It has been shown to help with migraine headaches, peripheral arterial disease, resistant depression, and asthma. Other studies suggest ginkgo may help with schizophrenia and tinnitus or vertigo without a known cause, PMS, and menstrual pain.
GBE improves mental sharpness. This is achieved by increasing blood flow to brain, inhibiting the platelet activating factors and reducing inflammation. It also enhances neurotransmitters in the brain. It also helps prevents degeneration of neurons and decreases oxidative damage caused by free radicals. GBE increases the formation of nerve cells, and improves the ability to recall information, places, and events.
It has been suggested that ginkgo biloba leaf extract acts as an antidepressant, anxiety reducer and mild stimulant. This is because it inhibits monoamine oxidase A and B, blocks catechol-O-methyl transferase and increases the number of alpha-adrenoreceptors in the brain. This is important because a decline in receptors is linked to Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
Studies on the effect of ginkgo biloba on Alzheimer’s Disease patients have been inconsistent, but many suggest that it slows the progression of memory loss. It is used in conjunction with cholinesterase inhibiters such as tacrine, donepezil, and rivastigmine to treat Alzheimer’s Disease.
A 2008 study conducted by Oregon State University at Corvallis found that ginkgo biloba improved memory in older adults with normal cognitive function. The study involved 118 subjects, all of whom had a minimum age of 85 and were free of memory problems at the start of the study. Half of the participants took ginkgo, and the other half a placebo. Over a four-week period, the researchers measured the participants’ self-estimated mental performance. Those who took ginkgo biloba saw their scores on a mental health questionnaire improve significantly. Those who did NOT take ginkgo saw no improvement.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Helps
Ginkgo biloba, a popular herbal supplement, is taken by many to improve memory or mental sharpness. However, few clinical studies have been conducted to prove these claims. Ginkgo is a dietary product and does not need to be tested rigorously before being sold. It is important to understand the facts before you take it.
Gingko biloba leaves contain flavonoids and terpenoids, which are antioxidants. These compounds protect against damage to the cell structures that occur when your body produces too much free radicals. The free radicals build up over time, and this can cause oxidative stress on the brain. In fact, oxidative stress is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
In several studies, ginkgo has been shown to have a positive impact on the symptoms of memory impairment and vascular dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers found that standardized leaf extracts of ginkgo (EGb761) improved objective measurements of cognitive function and the social functioning among patients with these conditions.
However, more research is needed to determine the specific ingredients in ginkgo that produce these effects. In addition, researchers need to test different products and doses to find out which ones are most effective.
Studies have shown that Ginkgo biloba can improve sleep quality in people who suffer from chronic sleep disorders, such as insomnia. It has also been shown to decrease the frequency of migraine headaches with aura. In one study, participants took 240 mg of ginkgo every day and their migraine symptoms were completely resolved. The ginkgo may reduce the release inflammatory substances which can cause migraines.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are medications that can relieve some symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Memantine, donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), and rivastigmine are all cholinesterase inhibitors. The use of ginkgo biloba in conjunction with these medications is also being studied, as it has been found to improve the response to these drugs.