Ginkgo Biloba Capsule

Typically taken as a cognitive enhancer, gingko biloba also works as a powerful antioxidant and vasodilator. The flavone glycosides and the terpene lactones in Ginkgo Biloba extract have been found to support the tone and elasticity of arteries and capillaries. Gingko Biloba may also be effective for cerebral vascular insufficiency, dementia, depression, intermittent claudication, impotence, PMS, and retinopathy. If you are on blood-thinning medications (coumadin, aspirin, heparin, or plavix), please talk to your doctor prior to taking anything containing ginkgo.

Ginkgo Biloba comes from a tree that is one of the oldest living species known to man, and with a lifespan of over a thousand years, it is one of the longest living species as well. The longevity of Ginkgo Biloba may be attributed to the presence of flavone glycosides and terpene lactones, special antioxidants that have been identified with Ginkgo Biloba's reputed effects. A massive body of scientific evidence supports a variety of medicinal uses of Ginkgo Biloba. In fact, the European medical community has recognized Ginkgo Biloba as an effective compound in the treatment of cerebral insufficiency (poor blood flow to the brain). Recent studies in which Ginkgo Biloba demonstrated therapeutic effects in the treatment of dementia have even earned Ginkgo Biloba the approval of the German BGA for use in the treatment of dementia, as well as memory deficits, impaired concentration, depression, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and headache; particularly when these are due to cerebral insufficiency. The primary mode of action that gives Ginkgo Biloba its reputed effects appear to be its ability to improve circulation and its antioxidant properties. It has been suggested that Ginkgo Biloba may delay the onset of dementia experienced in old age.

Mental Acuity: A study compiling the results of using Gingko Biloba to treat 202 patient's diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia came to the conclusion that Gingko Biloba was "safe and appears capable of stabilizing and, in a substantial number of cases, improving the cognitive performance and the social functioning of demented patients for 6 months to 1 year." Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used in studies to test Gingko Biloba's effect on the brain. These studies have confirmed "the activity of Ginkgo Biloba extract on alertness." One study compared the drug Tacrine, approved for use in the US for treating Alzheimer's, to Ginkgo Biloba using computer-analyzed EEGs. "The type of [central nervous system] effects produced by [Ginkgo Biloba]…in elderly dementia patients were similar to those induced by tacrine…" The results of these studies may be due, in part, to Ginkgo Biloba's ability to improve blood flow to the brain, which were demonstrated by a study that measured cerebral blood flow in 448 patients. Another study involved Gingko Biloba and rats in which the proficiency of navigating a maze was observed. Gingko Biloba was demonstrated to improve the rat's performance. An interesting additional observation made was that the rats that were given Gingko Biloba lived longer than those that were not. Finally, one study compiled and analyzed the results of 40 clinical trials involving Gingko Biloba and came to the conclusion that Gingko Biloba does have a positive influence on cerebral insufficiency and vascular dementia.

Circulation: In a study involving 30 patients that demonstrated cerebral insufficiency, half were given Ginkgo Biloba. The skin microcirculation was then measured by means of a helium-neon laser. Those that received the Ginkgo Biloba were shown to have an increase in their microcirculation suggesting that Ginkgo Biloba may be an effective treatment in vascular diseases. In another clinical trial involving 42 patients, "A dose-dependent significant increase in the microcirculation was found." A study involving "208 patients with discirculatory encephalopathy [a degenerative brain disease] using clinical and neuropsychological tests, apparatus (REG, ECG, EEG, Doppler sonography) and laboratory…methods" showed a "Positive…change in elastic and tonic characteristics of vessels, of bioelectric brain activity, emotional and behavioral, cognitive and amnestic features."

Anti-Aging: An interesting discovery was recently made linking oxidative damage by free radicals on cellular mitochondria with the aging process. It has recently been "shown that treatment with certain antioxidants, such as…Ginkgo Biloba extract…protects against the age-associated oxidative damage to mtDNA and oxidation of mitochondrial glutathione."

Erectile Dysfunction: Gingko Biloba's beneficial effect on the circulatory system has positive implications for impotence. In fact, in one open clinical trial involving 60 patients having erectile dysfunction, 50% of the patients regained potency after six months of treatment with Ginkgo Biloba. While Gingko Biloba is not an instant miracle cure for any disease or ailment, there is a great body of evidence that it has beneficial effects with regard to cognitive performance and vascular health. So, get your blood flowing and fight free radicals with Ginkgo Biloba.

Functions in the Body:

• Improves microcirculation
• Increases blood flow to the brain
• Powerful antioxidant protecting cellular mitochondria

• Improve memory and mental sharpness
• To alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or dementia
• As an anti-depressant
• For improved circulation
• To thin blood
• For cardiovascular health
• As an antioxidant
• For impotence
• To treat vertigo and tinnitus