Welcome to Ounce of Prevention’s Words On Wellness. In this issue we will discuss an herb called Ginkgo biloba. We hope you enjoy reading Ounce of Prevention’s Words On Wellness.
All statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. All statements are based on studies and/or research, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The nutritional supplement discussed in this newsletter is not a drug and should not be used as a drug or in lieu of drugs prescribed by your physician. Always consult with your physician before taking any pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements.
Where Are My Keys?
Have you ever put your keys down and forgotten where you put them? Or run into someone you
know and your mind goes blank as to the person’s name? Don’t worry - you’re
not alone. These forgetful things happen to all of us. But what if forgetfulness becomes
all too common? Again, don’t worry. There’s a natural product that has
demonstrated remarkable results for those of us that need our memory
"jump-started." This product is Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo is an herb that’s use
has been traced as far back as 2800 B.C. In fact, the ginkgo tree can grow to be as old as
4000 years. Although ginkgo is an herb and not a pharmaceutical drug, it is extensively
utilized by doctors all over the world. In France, prescriptions for ginkgo account for
1½ percent of all prescriptions written and in Germany, it accounts for one percent. It
is prescribed for the treatment of health conditions that include depression, stroke,
vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), multiple sclerosis, and impotence. But
ginkgo’s primary claim to fame is its ability to help with memory and related brain
functions. The reason is simple: Ginkgo biloba works.
How Ginkgo Works
Studies have shown ginkgo to assist brain function in the following ways:
| 1) | Ginkgo improves blood supply to the brain. It probably goes without saying that having a good blood supply to the brain is essential for its proper function. The brain is composed of, in addition to supporting tissues, specialized cells called neurons. If these neurons do not receive life-sustaining oxygenated blood, they die. It takes only a matter of minutes for this to occur. Unlike other tissues such as skin and bone, neurons do not regenerate or replicate; once you lose a neuron, it’s gone for good. But what if a neuron receives enough blood to survive but not enough to function at its fullest potential? This is where ginkgo may help. By increasing blood flow and resultant oxygen to the neurons, the brain is able to function at an improved level. This may manifest as a noticeable increase in mental functions, such as memory. |
| 2) | Ginkgo increases the ability of the cells of the brain to use glucose. Glucose is a carbohydrate that the brain uses for fuel. Without glucose, brain cells are unable to perform well. Inversely, with ginkgo’s effect of increasing glucose uptake by the cells, the brain is able to perform better because it has the required fuel for it to perform its necessary tasks. |
| 3) | Ginkgo increases the rate at which nerve cell impulses occur. This is clinically demonstrable on electroencephalograph (EEG) tracings. Increased speed of nerve signal transmission equates to an increase in mental sharpness. |
| 4) | Ginkgo has shown to be effective in normalizing acetylcholine receptors in the brains of aged animals. |
The brain functions by way of electrochemical activity, i.e., electrical impulses are created using chemicals known as neurotransmitters. An important neurotransmitter is acetylcholine (abbreviated ACH). ACH is released at the end of one nerve (called the axon) and picked up by the beginning of another nerve (called a dendrite). The area on the dendrite where the ACH attaches is the acetylcholine receptor. (The point at which an axon and a dendrite approximate one another and exchange neurotransmitters is known as a synaptic junction.) Improving the brain’s ability to perform the transfer of ACH from one nerve to another across the synaptic junction will result in an increase in the speed of nerve signal transmission. Of special interest regarding ACH receptors is that their ability to optimally transmit nerve impulses is decreased in individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. By using ginkgo to stimulate transmission, Alzheimer’s patients may notice and decrease in dementia.
The Benefits of Ginkgo
Since ginkgo appears to improve blood circulation in the brain, it stands to reason that
any disease or disease process resulting from compromised circulation may benefit from the
administration of ginkgo. These include overall blood circulation throughout the body,
improved mental function including the ability to concentrate, decreased tinnitus (ringing
in the ears) due to the increased blood flow to the inner ear components, and decreased
sensation of vertigo (dizziness).
Ginkgo’s ability to help normalize acetylcholine receptors indicates that Ginkgo may
be of benefit in relieving symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Regarding Alzheimer’s disease, of special mention is the fact that Alzheimer’s
cannot be conclusively diagnosed except at post-mortem biopsy of brain tissue. Patients
misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s may benefit greatly from the use of ginkgo because the
dementia blamed on "Alzheimer’s" disease is actually caused by some other
disease process such as a lack of adequate blood flow within the brain caused by
atherosclerosis or other vascular problems. For this reason alone, patients diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s disease should try ginkgo.
Selecting a Quality Ginkgo
Product
As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. This is certainly true
of nutritional supplements, including ginkgo.
Ounce of Prevention carries ginkgo that is standardized to contain 24 percent
flavonoglycosides plus 6% terpene lactones. The most common dosages range from 40 to 100
milligrams per day, with 40 to 60 milligrams being the average. Please realize that ginkgo
is a natural product and therefore its effects will probably take time to be realized. We
are led to expect lightning quick relief by the pharmaceutical companies concerning their
products, but remember that the health condition that you’re trying to deal with
didn’t occur overnight; it probably took years to develop and may take time to
correct. With ginkgo, its effects may not be realized for up to twelve weeks; however,
some note improvement in as little as two weeks. Also, studies indicate that the longer
ginkgo is used, the more lasting and obvious its positive effects. Ginkgo is a powerful
herb that anyone desiring to enhance brain power should consider using.
