In this Article:
- Introducing: Gingko biloba to Western Medicine
- What are the Benefits of Gingko biloba: Separating Fact from Fiction
- Are the Best Dietary Supplements Safe with Gingko biloba?
- Gingko biloba and Military Training Diets
Another promising ingredient in the best dietary supplements is Gingko biloba. You’ve heard the claims: improved memory, promise for Alzheimer’s patients, relief of asthma symptoms, improved sexual functions, and the list of circulatory benefits goes on. It’s little wonder that this ancient remedy has stood the test of time. After all, it has been the remedy of choice for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.
More recently, Chinese literature names Gingko biloba as one of the best dietary supplements in the treatment of heart and lung diseases. Then, in 1965, German physician and pharmacist Dr. Willmar Schwabe brought a Gingko biloba leaf extract into Western medical practice.
Gingko biloba can be extracted from its leaves and its seeds. The most widely investigated leave extract is EGb 761.Keep this in mind as you read about various studies with Gingko biloba and its benefits in your dietary supplements.
What are the Benefits of Gingko biloba in a Dietary Supplement: Separating Fact from Fiction
So now what about all those claims for Gingko biloba? Which ones stand up to scrutiny and which ones still need a bit more scientific data and top-notch clinical studies to become really valid?
That’s a great question!
It’s important to remember that the science of nutrition and nutritional supplements is an ever-evolving process. This is not a bad thing! We, the public, constantly get updated information based on new breakthroughs and new information. It’s important to know this. And, if you want a little help keeping all the information straight, be sure to bookmark this site. We’ll do some of the leg work for you and bring in the best of the best information for the best dietary supplements, training and nutritional information.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most promising clinical results right now are in the areas of claudication symptoms (leg pain which results from clogged arteries) and multi-infarct dementia and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Good studies and results have been seen for dietary supplementation of Gingko biloba and what’s being called “cerebral insufficiency” which includes poor concentration, absentmindedness, confusion, decreased physical performance, fatigue, headache, dizziness, depression, and anxiety.
And it’s no wonder the number of people that experience these types of symptoms consider the 24/7 go-go-go kind of world we live in, right? Add to that the physical demands we place on our body through the work we do (military personnel, law enforcement, sports athletes, and high stress executive careers) and you should be very interested in the ongoing research surrounding Gingko biloba and its benefits in your best dietary supplements!
Are the Best Dietary Supplements Safe with Gingko biloba?
So how do the benefits of Gingko biloba stack up to the potential risks?
Well, according to studies done for the U.S. military by the National Academy of Sciences, this dietary supplement does pretty well.
Their review shows that in younger, healthy subject high acute dosing may enhance mental performance for short periods of time. Longer dosing for the same purpose still requires additional support.
They also review in their report that benefits may also be seen in the treatment of cardiovascular disease b reducing nanoplaque formation in high-risk cardiovascular patients. There are also benefits to liver function as reported through animal models as a result of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
This seems to reach back to that ancient Chinese wisdom of using Gingko biloba as a healing tonic.
Overall, the dietary supplementation of Gingko biloba appears to be safe with no side effects to be overly concerned with. There have been about 15 cases reported where a link between Gingko and bleeding in the brain have been a concern.
Yes, this can be important to know, right? But in those cases, all but 6 made a close connection; the others involved other risk factors.
It would be wise to caution against taking Gingko biloba if you are also taking other prescription meds that could also cause bleeding such as anticoagulants.
Additionally, there are often interactions between the best dietary supplements and many prescription medications. So be sure that if you’re taking any of the following you discuss it with your doctor:
- Trazodone
- Warfarin
- Acetylsalicyclic acid
- Ibuprofen
- Ticlopidine
- Tolbutamide
- Chlorpropamide
- Are a hyper-insulinemic patient with type 2 diabetes
- Antiarrhythmics
- Antibiotics
- Calcium channel blockers
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
- Anxiolytics
- Neuropsychiatric medications
Wow! Wouldn’t it be great if you could fortify your body and give it the best nutritional and dietary support?
Gingko biloba and Military Training Diets
For military training or special operations conditions, benefits of Gingko biloba seem to lie in the cognitive functions of the brain as well as relief from the symptoms of high-altitude (although conclusive evidence on altitude sickness is still pending further studies)
Some have experienced gastrointestinal tract issues such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea as well as transient headaches when the dietary supplement regime is first started. Knowing this, you should be aware of how your body is responding to Gingko before heading out on a mission.
They may not have clean bathrooms where you’re going!
The best dietary supplements follow the most recent scientific updates and are formulated with your specific dietary needs in mind.
Resources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginkgo-biloba/NS_patient-ginkgo/DSECTION=evidence
Birks, J., E. V. Grimley, and M. Van Dongen. 2002. Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2(4):CD003120.
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