Disclosure: We do not approve or disapprove the use of Ginkgo in anyone without speaking to his/her health care practitioner. We are merely providing information to the public.
Gingko Biloba is an extract made from leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree and containing a variety of phytochemicals. Ginkgo leaves contain two types of chemicals (flavonoids and terpenoids) believed to have potent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals -- compounds in the body that damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Free radicals are believed to contribute to health problems including heart disease and cancer as well as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Antioxidants such as those found in ginkgo can help neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.
Similarly to Ginseng, Ginkgo has been used in traditional medicine to treat blood disorders and enhance memory. It is also used for reducing pain while walking in intermittant claudication, decreasing vertigo symptoms, and reducing painful attacks of Reynaud's syndrome, as well as treating tension glaucoma and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Dosing and Standarization (from UpToDate, an accepted physician’s reference): 120-240mg/day (for example, Oral: 40-80 mg 3 times/day, standardized to contain 24% to 27% ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6% to 7% triterpenes per dose)
Potential Interactions and Contraindications:
Do not take without consulting with your doctor!
o If at risk of bleeding, have active bleeding, or have a history of a bleeding disease
o if you are taking blood thinners on medication that affect bleeding such as warfarin/Coumadin, aspirin, Plavix, etc.
o If you have a seizure disorder or are on seizure medications (anti-convulsants)
o Certain medications metabolized by the liver (calcium channel blockers (nifedipine), certain benzodiazepines, cyclosporine, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, trazodone, and other medications influenced by the P450 CYP3A4 isoenzyme)
o Drink excessive amounts of grapefruit juice
o Taking medications for a psychiatric disorder (anti-psychotics and anti-depressives)
o Medications for high blood pressure (anti-hypertensives)
o Thiazide (water pills)
Approved Gingko Biloba Products:
- Freeda Gingko Biloba (60mg GBE/capsule)
- Gingko-Go! Gingko Biloba Extract (120mg GBE/caplet)
- Ginkoba Memory (40mg GBE/tablet)
- GNC Herbal Plus Standardized Ginkgo Biloba (60mg GBE/vegetarian capsule)
- GNC Preventative Nutrition Memorall (60mg GBE/softgel capsule)
- Mountain Home Nutritionals Brain Advantage (30mg GBE/capsule)
- Nature Made Ginkgo Biloba (30mg GBE/capsule)
- Nature’s Valley Ginkgo Biloba with Vinpocetine (60mg GBE/softgel)
- Olympian Labs Incorporated 24% / 6% Standardized Ginkgo Biloba (60mg GBE/capsule)
- Total Nutrition Ginkgo Biloba (100mg/softgel)
- Vitamin Shoppe Standardized Herbs Ginkgo Biloba Extract (120mg GBE/capsule)
References:
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