Gingko may not aid memory in healthy older adults
posted in - CAM watch, - Palmdoc |Taking Gingko to help “boost your memory”? You may have second thoughts after this news report from Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – The popular herbal supplement ginkgo biloba may not do much for healthy older adults’ memory, at least in the short term, a new study suggests.
Extracts of ginkgo biloba are among the most widely used dietary supplements. The herb is marketed as a memory enhancer, and some studies have suggested it may help improve memory and other mental functions in people with dementia.
Meanwhile, many older adults, while not suffering from dementia, do develop milder problems with memory, concentration and other mental functions — and so far, studies have come to mixed conclusions as to whether ginkgo can slow such age-related cognitive decline.
The new findings, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, suggest that healthy older adults are unlikely to see any quick results from ginkgo.
Here is the link to the original study (Abstract)
Safety and Efficacy of a Ginkgo Biloba–Containing Dietary Supplement on Cognitive Function, Quality of Life, and Platelet Function in Healthy, Cognitively Intact Older Adults Journal of the ADA Volume 107, Issue 3, Pages 422-432 (March 2007)
In 2002, there was another study published in Jama: Ginkgo for memory enhancement: a randomized controlled trial which concluded:
The results of this 6-week study indicate that ginkgo did not facilitate performance on standard neuropsychological tests of learning, memory, attention, and concentration or naming and verbal fluency in elderly adults without cognitive impairment. The ginkgo group also did not differ from the control group in terms of self-reported memory function or global rating by spouses, friends, and relatives. These data suggest that when taken following the manufacturer’s instructions, ginkgo provides no measurable benefit in memory or related cognitive function to adults with healthy cognitive function.
In a related MMR post On warfarin? Be careful of what else you ingest, we warned you of the dangers of taking supplements like Ginkgo if you are on blood thinning medication. The ADA study did not find problems with platelet function but we must caution that this does not mean Ginkgo does not interact with warfarin or affect other aspects of haemostasis (blood clotting).
In any case, I think we can conclude if anyone is trying Ginkgo for improvement of memory or cognitive function , you aren’t going to see any short term results. Will there be any long term gains? I think the evidence is still weak. I don’t recommend Ginkgo. Trouble is your neighbourhood pharmacist or drug store is still pushing this useless herb.
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March 19th, 2007 at 10:33 am
There has been a spate of articles looking at the supposed efficacy of supplements.
Recently, in JAMA, Feb 28, 2007, Vol 297, No 8, there was a systemic review and meta-analysis that showed that treatment with beta-carotene, Vit A and E may actually increase mortality. Vit C and Selenium did not have any significant benefits. So much for the much-touted benefits of the anti-oxidants.
Thankfully there are people willing to do these studies.
March 19th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Yes we mentioned that study here:
Vitamins A, C and E don’t help you live longer