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How to Improve Your Memory and Increase Your Intelligence Using the Latest Discoveries In Neuroscience

VOLUME 1 in the Smart Drugs Series

by Ward Dean, M.D. & John Morgenthaler 
$12.95 - 224 pages, softcover (Out of Stock)

Sec 5: Other Cognitive Enhancers

Ginkgo Biloba: A Nootropic Herb?

Ginkgo biloba is the oldest species of tree known, dating back 300 million years. Extracts from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Today, European physicians write over 1.2 million prescriptions per month for it. Ginkgo biloba is used to improve cerebral circulation, mental alertness, and overall brain functioning.

More than 34 human studies on ginkgo have been published since 1975, showing that ginkgo leaf works by increasing blood flow throughout the body and brain. Ginkgo increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the universal energy molecule). It also improves the brain's ability to metabolize glucose, prevents platelet aggregation inside arterial walls by keeping them flexible, improves the transmission of nerve signals, and acts as a powerful antioxidant.

Ginkgo biloba leaf is effective for people with symptoms of reduced blood flow to the brain and extremities. It has been shown to be helpful with many of the complaints of the elderly such as: short?term memory loss, slow thinking and reasoning, depression, dizziness, ringing in the ears, headaches, and senile macular degeneration (a major cause of blindness).

One study even shows significant improvement in people who have both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. In this study 25 people with Parkinson's and signs of Alzheimer's disease were given ginkgo extract daily for one year. They were tested with standard tests, clinical evaluations, and a new computerized EEG. The scores improved significantly (Funfgeld, 1989).

One study does not prove that Ginkgo biloba is efficacious in the treatment of these diseases. However, ginkgo is safe, inexpensive and easily obtained, and people with Parkinson's and/or Alzheimer's disease might consider experimenting with it.

One researcher believes Ginkgo Biloba belongs in the class of compounds known as "nootropics", even though it is from an herbal source.

Precautions: No negative effects have been reported in the literature even at very large quantities.

Dosage: Most research has been done with a ginkgo biloba extract which contained a 24% concentration of flavonoid extract. At this strength, the usual dosage is 120?160mg per day taken in three divided doses. However, many ginkgo products on the market are lower in potency. These products are taken in dosages as high as 1000mg per day in three divided doses. Three to six months use is probably needed to evaluate the results.

Sources: Ginkgo biloba leaf and extracts are available in vitamin and health food stores. Source Naturals is one company that has a good ginkgo biloba leaf extract. They have a product called "Ginkgo?24" with 40mg of 24.3% ginkgo flavone glycosides per tablet. See Appendix A (page 165) for other sources.

References:

Allard, M. "Treatment of Old Age Disorders with Ginkgo Biloba Extract." La Presse Medicale. 1986, Vol. 15, No. 31, p. 1540.

Auguet, M., Delaflotte, S., Hellegouarch, A., Clostre, F. "Bases Pharmacologiques de l'Impact Vasculaire de l'Extrait de Ginkgo Biloba," La Presse Medicale. 1986, Vol. 15, No. 31, p. 1524.

Funfgeld, E.W. "A Natural and Broad Spectrum Nootropic Substance for Treatment of SDAT—the Ginkgo Biloba Extract." Progress in Clinical and Biological Re­search. 1989, 317, pp. 1247?60.

Gebner, B., Voelp, A., Klasser, M. "Study of the Long?term Action of a Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Vigilance and Mental Performance as Determined by Means of Quantitative Pharmaco?EEG and Psychometric Measurements." Arzneimittelforschung. 1985, Vol. 35, No. 9, pp. 1459?65.

Hindmarch, I. "Activity of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Short?term Memory." La Presse Medicale. 1986, Vol. 15, No. 31, p. 1562, 1592.

Pelton, R., Pelton, T.C. Mind Food & Smart Pills. New York: Double­day, 1989.

Schaffler, K., Reeh, P. "Long?term Drug Administration Effects of Ginkgo Biloba on the Performance of Healthy Subjects Exposed to Hypoxia." From Agnoli, J., Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extracts on Organic Cerebral Impairment. Eurotext Ltd., 1985, pp. 77?84.

Taillandier, J., Ammar, A., Rabourdin, J.P., Ribeyre, J.P., Pichon, J., Niddam, S., Pierart, H. "Traitement des Troubles du Viellissement Cerebral par l'Extract de Ginkgo Biloba." La Presse Medicale. 1986, Vol. 15, No. 31. p. 1583.

Warburton, D.M. "Clinical Psychopharmacology of Ginkgo Biloba Extract." La Presse Medicale. 1986, Vol. 15, No. 31, p. 1595.