Energized Eating’s Blog

For Extra Mental Get Up and Go,

Remember To Take The Amazing Gingko!

One aspect of aging that many people fear is the prospect of memory
loss. Memory defines who we are, helping us find our place in the
world. Perhaps this is why gingko biloba, which has become known as the
memory herb, with a reputation for offsetting the common effects of
aging, has become one of the most consumed herbs in the world and the
fastest growing in terms of consumer demand.

Gingko is one of the oldest living tree species, dating back over three
million years, with individual trees often living to celebrate their thousandth birthday.
They reach this milestone by exhibiting great resistance to viruses,
fungi, insects pollution and radiation, properties that convinced
Chinese herbal medicine to include it in its materia medica over five
thousand years ago, and modern scientists to investigate further.Hundreds of European studies support the use of standardised gingko for
conditions associated with aging such as memory loss and poor blood
circulation. Gingko is also used clinically in Europe for tinnitus,
vertigo and cold extremities. Recently Australian research has added to
gingko’s accolades, with a joint investigation by Adelaide University’s
psychology department and the CSIRO finding a positive effect on long
term memory. The volunteers, taking gingko three times daily for three
months, demonstrated improved cognitive ability. Promising results are
also being found at Melbourne’s Swinburne University and Brain Sciences
Institute.Gingko Increases cerebral and peripheral circulation and tissue
oxygenation, while enhancing the body’s production of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP), a compound that is the main source of energy at a
cellular level. This boosts the brain’s metabolism of glucose for
energy and increases its electrical activity. Gingko biloba’s medicinal
benefits are primarily attributed to gingko flavonglycosides, active
constituents responsible for gingko’s antioxidant activity and platelet
aggregation inhibition, the actions that may help prevent circulatory
diseases such as atherosclerosis and support brain and central nervous
system function.

Most clinical trials use between 120 and 240 mg of gingko biloba
extract (standardised to contain 24% flavonglycosides), divided into
two or three daily doses. This may need to be taken for eight to twelve
weeks before improvements are noticed. Inferior quality gingko, that is
not standardised for potency with a specified gingko flavonglycoside
content, may not result in expected improvements, and has been known to
cause headaches and discomfort.

Although the main focus of gingko research is on cognitive and
neurological problems such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
disease, and memory function enhancement, because Gingko
flavonglycosides have an oxygenating effect on micro-capillaries
throughout the body, there are potential applications for a variety of
conditions. These include eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma,
macular degeneration, retinopathy and floaters, cancer, resistant
depression, intermittent claudication (poor blood circulation resulting
in leg pain), heart attack and stroke prevention, multiple sclerosis
relapse prevention, vascular related impotence and tinnitus.

With applications such as these, it is no wonder that gingko is finding
its place in helping enhance many people’s experience of life and their
ability to remember it.

Note: Individuals who are scheduled for surgical procedures, regularly
taking over the counter painkillers or prescription medication are
advised to consult a health care professional before ingesting gingko
biloba.

Copyright © 2006 Ilanit Tof. All rights reserved.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS