GINKO
BILOBA
One of the most
troublesome aspects of aging is the prospect of losing memory. We
can deal with the wrinkles, the sagging skin, the odd ache and pain.
But as soon as we forget a phone or a name we start thinking "Oh,
Alzheimer." Well most people of course do not go on to develop
Alzheimer disease, but most of us will have some memory loss as we
get older. Is there anything that we can do about this?
Well, some researchers
say that Ginkgo Biloba maybe at least a partial answer. Ginkgo is
a tree. It's a tree that has been around for about two hundred million
years. And an extract of the tree can be made. And we even have a
good idea of what the active ingredients are. Compounds called flavenoids
and terpenes. And pills can be standardized to 24% flavenoids and
6% terpenes and that's what we want to look for. And what do these
molecules do? Well apparently they deliver more oxygen to the brain,
they increase circulation so at least we have a theoretical basis
for what Ginkgo should do. But what is the evidence? Unfortunately
not a great deal.
In one study very
often quoted, about 300 patients who had early Alzheimer or who had
memory loss due to what is called Multi-infarct dementia took Ginkgo
regularly and about a third of these patients showed some improvement,
nothing to write home about. And then there are stories about people
remembering their shopping list better or doing better on exams if
they've taken Ginkgo. There's not much evidence for that either. In
fact, in one very typical study 27 patients who took Ginkgo on a regular
basis and monitored memory did better in one of 13 memory tests. That's
about it. On the other hand we really don't have very much to offer
in terms of memory improvement.
Is there any downside
to Ginkgo. Well, maybe. Ginkgo has an anti coagulant effect so anyone
who is taking coumiden or any other blood thinner must discuss taking
Ginkgo with their physician. But for most people it really is an innocuous
substance and perhaps worth a try, the only problem is you have to
remember to take the pills.
