Clinical Data on the Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is an ancient tree with no close relatives in existence today. Fossil records of its pollen date back nearly 270 million years to the Permian period, about fifty million years before the first dinosaurs emerged on planet earth. This miraculous survivor is also known to have a very long lifespan for a species of tree. Some estimates put certain ginkgo trees from China at nearly two thousand years old. Gingko even has a reputation as a nootropic, or "smart drug," that supposedly improves human cognitive functioning. What exactly is ginkgo capable of in that respect? Are the claims supported by clinical data?

The primary basis for the claim of ginkgo's role in the improvement of cognitive function is its ability to improve blood flow. If blood flows more easily to tissues and organs in the body, then it also means that blood flows more easily to the brain. If the brain sees improved blood flow, then neurotransmitters and other important chemicals can see improved functionality as well. Ginkgo has also been discovered to help cells guard against damage done by free-radicals and other oxidation reactions. Finally, ginkgo is a demonstrated anticoagulant which can help blood to flow more freely through arteries and prevent platelet buildup in important cardiovascular regions around the heart and brain. These properties are largely due to the high presence of flavonoids in ginkgo biloba extract. These chemicals are antioxidants that improve cell durability and blood flow throughout the human body.

The gist is that studies have been done that have demonstrated ginkgo's benefits concerning memory and cognitive functioning, but more trials must be conducted in order to provide supporting clinical data. But studies have certainly been done and data supporting these claims have been provided. A 1999 study published in the scientific journal Psycotherapy Research showed that the test subjects who were given daily doses of ginkgo biloba demonstrated small improvements in memory. Furthermore, the study revealed that the highest improvement in memory took place within the 50-59 year old age group tested in the trial. Another study conducted by the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2003 contained results and data that further supported ginkgo's effectiveness at improving cognition. Although the study found that ginkgo biloba extract had moderate positive effects on maladies such as dementia and tinnitus, it also found that ginkgo did not significantly enhance memory recall in subjects who were not suffering from dementia.

The success of ginkgo use within the over-50 population could have profound effects if further trials reveal that ginkgo does in fact significantly improve cognitive functioning and memory. Perhaps the most promising potential use for ginkgo would be in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This disease affects cognitive functioning and memory and affects thousands worldwide. A 1998 review of ginkgo research published in the Archives of Neurology revealed that 200 Alzheimers patients given a daily dosage of ginkgo biloba extract showed slight but marked improvement in mental functioning. Furthermore, the 2003 study conducted by the AAFP revealed that ginkgo was effective in treating Alzheimers.

In conclusion, it might not be prudent for you to run out to a local pharmacy and buy a stockpile of ginkgo to improve your memory. In addition to the high price of the extract and dubious quality of some commercial preparations, studies have yet to provide a solid basis for cognitive enhancement in the general population. However, if you or someone you know suffers from Alzheimer's, ginkgo might be an effective and relatively safe option for treatment.