For those who wonder, "Does ginkgo biloba work?", it is probably because they're having trouble remembering. However, ginkgo biloba helps other areas of the body too, but most people recognize it for aiding the memory. The verdict is still out, unfortunately on whether the botanical has any effect in boosting a waning memory or helping you to find where you left your keys.
The Seven Year Study
One study, the largest performed so far, led by Steven DeKosky, the dean of the University of Virginia's School of Medicine found that the answer to the question, if (ginka / ginco) ginkgo biloba works, was "NO". The study received funding from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the NIH, the National Institutes of Health. It consisted of a double-blind study using a placebo and the ginkgo. It took place at six different medical centers and included 3,000+ subjects whose ages ranged from 72 to 96. The study lasted seven years.
The group used the first set of results to find whether ginkgo helped reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's or dementia. In this case, the group saw no effect on the reduction of dementia or Alzheimer's.
Next, the researchers hoped to find if it improved cognitive functioning or at least slowed the decline in older adults, particularly in the area of memory, language, visual-spatial, attention, executive function and psychomotor speed. In this case, again they found no benefit to taking the supplement.
However, an earlier study at the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, showed promising results for the plant substance. They studied people with age related memory impairment. The researchers noted there was a significant amount of improvement in verbal recall in the group that took ginkgo biloba for six months, compared to the placebo group. However, when taking imaging with PET (positron emission tomography) they noted that there was better brain function in certain important brain centers but no actual changes in the brain metabolism.
Does Ginkgo Biloba Work in Alzheimer's Prevention?
Another study in France used a special extract of Ginkgo called EGb 761to help prevent Alzheimer's. In this case, the results of this study shows that people taking ginko for longer periods of time maintained a higher level of cognitive performance longer than those not taking the extract EGb 761.
A final study wasn't to find the answer to the question, "Does ginkgo biloba work?" Instead, it was to find the risk factors for femoral neck fractures in older women. It was the Epidemiology of Osteoporosis study. The study followed 7,598 women from 4 to 7 years and noted whether they had taken special supplements, extracts such as the EGb761 or nootropics for blood circulation. In this case, the women who had taken these types of blood circulation stimulants had less cognitive loss. Those taking the EGb761 ginkgo extract for longer than one year showed the least effects of dementia or age related memory loss.
You probably still wonder whether ginkgo biloba works and there's no definite answer as far as age related mental conditions. However, the good news is that the research shows it won't hurt you and could help.In addition, for the potential for helping Alzheimer's, dementia and age related memory loss, it also helps people with intermittent claudication that causes walking to become painful. It also helps relieve some of the retinal problems of macular degeneration and may improve the condition.
Safety Concerns
Ginkgo Biloba may cause internal bleeding if combined with blood thinners and over the counter pain killers.
