Gingko Biloba

Gingko Biloba
The Gingko tree is the longest surviving tree species on the planet, dating back 200 million years. It has two fan-shaped leaves with a notch in the middle, dividing the leaves into two lobes; hence the name biloba. Gingko is extremely resilient and is found growing in many cities due to its ability to resist pollution, viruses, and insects. It is rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidant compounds found in plants that protect against cancer, heart disease, and premature aging. The Chinese used Gingko nuts for thousands of years as a remedy to promote longevity, improve impaired hearing, asthma, and to increase sexual endurance and improve circulation.

More than three hundred studies have demonstrated that gingko helps protect and promote memory and relieve signs of senility, probably due to the increased blood flow to the brain. One study conducted at the New York Institute for Medical Research on patients suffering from dementia showed a significant improvement in 30 percent of those people taking gingko. This is very exciting news, since very few drugs have been shown to have any positive impact on dementia. Gingko can also help protect brain tissue against potentially dangerous chemicals called free radicals because it is rich in antioxidants.

The appropriate dosage for gingko can range depending on the indication. For general mental acuity, take 120 milligrams per day, and for Alzheimer's or vascular problems take 240 milligrams per day. No serious side effects have been reported with its use, and long-term use is believed to be safe. Choose a supplement that contains gingko-leaf extracts (24 percent flavone glycosides and six percent terpene lactones) to ensure a potent and effective product.

Gingko should be used with caution in patients taking anti-platelet drugs such as Warfarin (coumadin) or aspirin, antidepressants (tricyclics) and certain duretics, because the effect of platelet aggregation inhibitors may be increased. If you are taking any of these drugs, talk with your doctor before taking gingko.

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