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Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
Gingko Biloba and Dementia
Ginkgo is known to be a powerful phyto antioxidant, and is
thought to enhance peripheral and cerebral circulation. It has
been used for numerous health problems, including the
following: “Orally, ginkgo leaf is used for dementia, including
Alzheimer’s, vascular, and mixed dementia. Ginkgo leaf is also
used orally for conditions associated with cerebral vascular
insufficiency, especially in the elderly, including memory loss,
headache, tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, difficulty concentrating,
mood disturbances, and hearing disorders. It is also used orally
for ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease (PAD),
arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, and cardiac reperfusion injury.
Ginkgo leaf is also used for cognitive dysfunction related to
chemotherapy or Lyme disease, as well as sexual dysfunction,
including that caused by SSRI antidepressants. It is also used
orally for cognitive disorders secondary to depression; eye
problems, including macular degeneration and glaucoma;
attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); autism;
thrombosis; heart disease; hypercholesterolemia; premenstrual
syndrome (PMS); dysentery and filariasis; and diabetic
retinopathy. Ginkgo leaf is also used orally to improve
cognitive behavior and sleep patterns in patients with
depression, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), schizophrenia,
and for the prevention of winter depression. Ginkgo leaf is also
used orally for preventing acute mountain sickness and aging,
regulating gastric acidity, improving liver and gallbladder
function, controlling blood pressure, and treating Raynaud’s
disease. It is also used orally to treat asthma, allergies,
bronchitis, and for various disorders of the central nervous
system.”
What led me to revisit ginkgo biloba was a study published
in Reference: Nutrients; 2017, Vol. 9, No. 8, 803. In this
study, 18 healthy, physically active young men took a placebo
or 160 mg of ginkgo biloba per day for six weeks.
Before and after the supplement period, the men performed
a graduated cycling test that measured maximum oxygen
capacity. Both groups saw an increase in oxygen capacity
between the two test periods, but the ginkgo biloba group
increased 6 percent compared to 1 percent for placebo. The
ginkgo group also saw an increase in antioxidant capacity, and
an increase in a protein that influences a number of brain
functions, including stimulating growth of new neurons and
synapses-nerves and nerve-signaling pathways.
These results suggest a possible beneft to those suffering
from Alzheimer’s and similar conditions.
Ginkgo biloba is, in fact, one of the most popular
supplements used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
and dementia. As it turns out, there is good reason for this.
Among the various medical treatments for Alzheimer’s is
finding ways to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain. One
way to do this is to reduce the activity of the enzyme that
breaks down acetylcholine. That enzyme is called
acetylcholinesterase.
Ginkgo can inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In
addition to inhibiting AChE activity, ginkgo leaf extract might
be helpful for Alzheimer’s disease due to inhibition of toxicity
and cell death induced by beta-amyloid peptides. It might also
increase acetylcholine levels in portions of the brain associated
with cognitive function. However, these latter effects have not
yet been demonstrated in humans.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) drugs are the first-line
treatments for Alzheimer’s. These include donepezil,
rivastigmine, and galantamine. As mentioned above, these
drugs reversibly inhibit the acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
enzyme, which breaks down acetylcholine. By inhibiting the
breakdown of acetylcholine, they increase acetylcholine levels.
There is evidence showing that taking ginkgo leaf extract
modestly improves symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other
dementias. Studies lasting from three months to one year show
that ginkgo leaf extract can stabilize or improve some
measures of cognitive function and social functioning in
patients with Alzheimer’s. Higher daily doses of ginkgo (240
mg) seem to have a greater effect on cognitive function than
lower daily doses (120 mg). However, due to poor study
quality, there are concerns that positive results observed in
some of the early ginkgo studies may not be reliable. Although
most clinical trials show benefit, there are some conflicting
findings.
Ginkgo has also been evaluated for the prevention of
Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Epidemiologic research
shows that taking ginkgo extract is not associated with a
decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
in elderly patients with memory impairment. However, it
might be associated with a decreased risk of overall mortality.
Also, three large-scale clinical trials show that taking ginkgo
extract 120 mg twice daily does not reduce the risk of
developing all-cause dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in
elderly patients with normal cognitive function or in those with
mild cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, evidence from a
larger analysis suggests that, although taking ginkgo extract
may improve cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, it
does not prevent disease progression.
To summarize, taking ginkgo extract does not seem to
prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. But
taking ginkgo extract might improve cognitive function in
patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Ginkgo is one of those
nutritional supplements with many potential health benefits,
but with little or no downside. It is well tolerated and pretty
much side effect free. Some medical doctors include it in their
“watch out for bleeding” problems, but, as Dr. Gaby points
out, the concern that ginkgo might promote bleeding is based
on reports that it inhibits platelet aggregation. However, a
meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials (with a total
of 1,985 adults) found that ginkgo had no significant effect on
platelet aggregation.
References:
1. Therapeutic Research Center, Natural Medicines
2. Gaby, Alan R., M.D.. Nutritional Medicine, 2nd Edition. Alan
R. Gaby, M.D., 04/2017. VitalBook file.
3. Consumerlabs.com
4. Natural Insights
Note: The concern that ginkgo might promote bleeding is
based on reports that it inhibits platelet aggregation.1. 13,14
However, a meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials
(with a total of 1,985 adults) found that ginkgo had no
significant effect on platelet aggregation.15
(Gaby 228)
Gaby, Alan R., M.D.. Nutritional Medicine, 2nd Edition. Alan R.
Gaby, M.D., 04/2017. VitalBook file.
The citation provided is a guideline. Please check each citation
for accuracy before use.
H
istorically, few herbs have been as widely researched and used therapeutically as
ginkgo biloba. There is always the desire to find something "new" however, especially
by the marketing people, and I fear that ginkgo is not receiving as much attention as
it should. Do you realize, for example, that ginkgo biloba has actually been shown to be an
effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease? This is not an empty marketing claim. It's a claim
supported by research.
There is evidence showing that taking ginkgo leaf extract modestly
improves symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Studies
lasting from three months to one year show that ginkgo leaf extract can
stabilize or improve some measures of cognitive function and social
functioning in patients with Alzheimer's.
Product Recommendation:
Nature’s Way
GinkGold MAX 120 Mg Once Daily
60 Tablets
Product Code: 42262
The pharmacists and nutritionists at
Willner Chemists will be happy to
advise you about appropriate
supplementation.
The Willner Chemists web site is a
valuable resource for information on
nutritional supplements how to choose
them, and how to use them.
. . . and remember to visit Don’s Blog
