Joseph Glenmullen, M.D.
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 Ginkgo biloba is an extract derived from the leaves of the Chinese ginkgo tree. Having been used for centuries in Chinese herbal medicine, ginkgo biloba has become popular in this country as a memory-enhancing agent. In their article in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, Cohen and Bartlik report that ginkgo biloba improved libido, erectile functioning, and the ability to orgasm in patients with antidepres-sant-induced sexual dysfunction. The dosage of ginkgo biloba taken by the patients ranged from 60 to 240 milligrams a day. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 On the herbal front, there is of course ginkgo, and ginkgo does, in fact, improve brain function. However, it shouldn't be relied on as the only way to boost brain function. There are far greater benefits from physical exercise and breathing therapy and other nutritional supplements. Ginkgo's great, but don't use it alone, use it in conjunction with other nutritional elements to boost your brain function.
Now, let's move on to perhaps the most important thing you can do to boost brain function and appear younger: engage in brain exercise and avoid those activities that dumb you down. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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 A recent large controlled trial using a large battery of tests of normal individuals found that ginkgo had no effect on memory function. ginkgo can have serious side effects, including coma, bleeding, and seizures. It should not be used with medications like Warfarin, which causes thinning of the blood. Minor but more common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
GINSENG
Ginseng products are derived from the roots of several plant species in the Araliaceae plant family, which is indigenous to Asia. |
| A recent large controlled trial using a large battery of tests found no effect of ginkgo on memory function in normal individuals.23 ginkgo can have serious side effects, including coma, bleeding, and seizures. It should not be used with medications that are used to decrease blood clotting, like warfarin. Minor but more common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I don't think any of the medications currently available, including vitamins and supplements, are worth giving to anyone affected by Alzheimer's or other types of dementia. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 We don't normally think of ginkgo for PMS. But when you consider that some PMS symptoms have to do with congestion, it makes sense that it might be useful. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was done in 1993 to determine the effectiveness of ginkgo extract on PMS symptoms. A group of 165 women between the ages of 18 and 45 who had fluid retention, breast tenderness, and vascular congestion were studied. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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| In Germany, more than 5 million prescriptions for ginkgo are written every year, and sales in the U.S. are $240 million per year. Studies have shown some benefit in patients with dementia, although the effects on cognitive test scores were no greater than the modest effects of anticholinesterase inhibitors and were not associated with a subjective impression of improvement by families and doctors.22 The manufacturers, however, promote ginkgo for the enhancement of memory in normal individuals or for prevention of the normal decline of memory with aging. |
Jack Challem
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 Studies have shown that ginkgo supplements increase blood circulation in the brain and activate brain activity. In an animal study, researchers found that ginkgo extracts boosted the activity of ten essential genes in brain cells by up to sixteen times. One of the genes influenced the hippocampus, the brain's center of learning and memory. The other nine genes affected the cerebral cortex, which controls memory, speech, logical and emotional responses, and voluntary physical movements. Another gene influenced the activity of tyrosine, the amino acid precursor to norepinephrine and dopamine. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 One small study also suggested that ginkgo may be helpful in relieving some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
My friend Daniel Amen, M.D., whom I consider to be one of the world's foremost experts on the brain, pioneered the SPECT method of brain scanning imagery and has a database of thousands of pictures of brains in every state imaginable. Brains on alcohol, brains on drugs, healthy brains, sick brains, brains with attention deficit disorder, you name it. Amen says ginkgo enhances circulation, memory, and concentration. |
Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel George
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 Consumer Reports, for example, has identified that there is wide variability in the amount of active ingredients in various ginkgo products sold over-the-counter. Two companies in Europe developed a standardized variant of ginkgo that has been used in many therapeutic trials. One of those trials—a four-year randomized control trial on the effects of the herb—is currently being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.
Ginseng. |
Bill Sardi
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 Fundamental Clinical Pharmacology 17: 405-17, 2003] ginkgo may inhibit tumor growth by gene switching. [Cellular Molecular Biology 48: 655-62, 2002] ginkgo biloba may also be helpful in preventing the toxic cardiac side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs (Adriamycin). [Research Communications Molecular Pathology Pharmacology 106: 181-92, 1999]
The phytoestrogens
Estrogen is recognized as a promoter of breast cancer. Both elevated concentrations of estrogen and hormone replacement therapy with estrogen for menopause are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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 Be certain to read the fine print telling you to "Contact your physician before taking this product," because combining ginkgo with prescription or over-the-counter drugs can be dangerous. As an example, taking vitamin E, which most people consider very safe, along with ginkgo biloba in combination with Coumadin, heparin, or warfarin (all prescription drugs to help thin the blood) increases the risk for subdural hematomas, retinal hemorrhages and internal bleeding.7 The combination of vascular dilation and blood thinning drugs can prove to be deadly. |
| One of the top-selling herbs, ginkgo biloba, has been used for nearly 3,000 years. Amongst many claims, it has been touted as an herbal remedy that improves blood flow because of its ability to increase vascular dilation. The result is said to improve brain function in Alzheimer's patients, improve short-term memory and can even reduce retinal damage from diseases such as macular degeneration.6 Be certain to read the fine print telling you to "Contact your physician before taking this product," because combining ginkgo with prescription or over-the-counter drugs can be dangerous. |
Bottom Line Health
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| Nearly all positive ginkgo trials have used one of three formulations that are produced in Germany and sold in health-food stores in the US under the brand names Ginkoba by Pharmaton Natural Health Products.. .Ginkgold by Nature's Way.. .and Gin-kai by Abkit Inc.
MILK THISTLE
What it does: Because of its strong antioxidant activity, milk thistle detoxifies the liver and may help regenerate liver cells. It may be appropriate for patients who have alcohol-related liver damage or infectious or drug-induced hepatitis, as well as anyone who is regularly exposed to industrial pollutants. |
Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel George
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| Two companies in Europe developed a standardized variant of ginkgo that has been used in many therapeutic trials. One of those trials—a four-year randomized control trial on the effects of the herb—is currently being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.
Ginseng. Widely used in Asia for its stimulant properties, although, as with ginkgo, ginseng's mechanism of action and therapeutic effects are not clear, ginseng is obtained from various plants from the Panax genus (provocatively translated as "all healing" in Latin), including some used by indigenous peoples in North America. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| Ginkgo's reputation took a big hit when a study published in JAMA concluded that there were no differences in the memory abilities of people treated with ginkgo and people who weren't. But there were a lot of problems with this study, not least of which was the fact that it only went on for six weeks (many researchers believe the effects don't show up until after at least twelve weeks of taking it). Only participants with no previous memory problems participated, and it's hard to demonstrate improved memory with people who don't have memory issues to begin with! |
| G i n kgo for Memory Enhancement
OKAY, NOW THAT I've got your attention, let me add the requisite and boring disclaimers: If you're healthy, young, and have no particular health issues or memory problems, taking ginkgo isn't going to help you ace an exam that you would have otherwise failed, or suddenly start remembering what you had for breakfast four days ago. But that doesn't mean ginkgo doesn't have profound and important effects on the brain and other aspects of your health. It does. |
Bottom Line Health
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| In addition, 13 other controlled studies have shown that ginkgo boosts memory and cognitive performance in healthy adults.
Potential side effects: Stomach upset, headache, rash and/or dizziness. Like garlic, ginkgo should not be taken with aspirin or a prescription blood thinner such as warfarin. The herb was previously believed to increase the effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants, such as phenelzine (Nardil), but this has been refuted.
Typical dose: 120 mg daily. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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| Here is a short list:
Danshen May cause bleeding
Dong quai May cause bleeding
Echinacea May interfere with immune function or alter
Feverfew Garlic
Ginger ginkgo Ginseng
Goldenseal effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs May cause bleeding
May cause bleeding, may interfere with normal blood clotting
May cause bleeding
May cause bleeding
May cause bleeding, may cause rapid heartbeat, may cause high blood pressure
May cause or worsen high blood pressure
TCmin
Mn\i pnhn.rt. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Herbal interactions are listed, covering herbs like ginkgo Biloba and St. John's Wort, among many others.
Over 540 brand-name drugs are listed in the NewsTarget DrugWatch database, including Amoxicillin, Celebrex, Prozac, Ibuprofen, Risperdal and others. Each health caution is backed by cited references. The data for this consumer guide was provided by Applied Health (www.AppliedHealth.com), a nutritional research and solutions company specializing in restorative nutritional therapies. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Loaded with zeaxanthin, bilberry and ginkgo, it's a super nervous system protector and enhancer. (It also happens to put antioxidants into your skin that help protect you from sunburn.) It's outstanding for eye health and has numerous other benefits.
Juvo raw meal now available in 21 oz. containers
The Juvo Natural Raw Meal product (www.GoJuvo.com) is now available in a more affordable 21-oz. canister. In the world of underground cures, Juvo is known as the anti-cancer meal that actually tastes good. |
Jack Challem
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| Dosage: Take 240 to 360 mg of standardized ginkgo extract daily. Divide the amounts, and take them two or three times daily.
Ginseng
Principal use: For memory and adapting to stress.
What else you should know: Several different species of herbs are called ginseng, and all of them function as "adaptogens," or substances that help people adapt to stressful situations. Adaptogens are useful, but it's important to find other long-term ways of reducing stress in your life.
When we're chronically stressed, our memory often becomes worse. |
Kevin Trudeau
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 Ginkgo biloba, ginkgo Awareness www.planetaryformulas.com (800) 606-6226
Ginseng Classic www.planetaryformulas.com, (800) 606-6226
Oral Chelation, Beyond Chelation www.longevityplus.net (800) 580-7587
Nattokinase, Natto-Clear www.instituteforvibrantliving.com (928) 567-7854
Vitamin E—E Gems, Carlson Labs www.carlsonlabs.com (888) 234-5656
Peruvian maca www.macaroot.com (541) 846-6222
Supplement, Potentium www.healthmd.com
Supplement, Jenasol Libido Activator for Men www.jenasolvitamins. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| Natural Prescription for Memory Enhancement
Standardized ginkgo extract: 40 mg, three times a day (total 120 mg)
You can also take 60 mg, twice a day, or double up with 120 mg, twice a day.
ž FOR ADDED EFFECTIVENESS:
Vinpocetine: 10-20 mg
Acetyl-L-carnitine: 500 mg, twice a day
Phosphatidylserine: 200 mg
GPC (glycerophosphocholine): 1,200 mg
Huperzine A: 50-100 meg
Note: All dosages are daily dosages and in pill or capsule form unless otherwise noted.
Physician Steven Bratman, M.D. |
| Antioxidants, like ginkgo and vitamin E, which protect neurons from damage. And other, less well known supplements we can take.
Like huperzine A, for example.
Huperzine A is a naturally occurring alkaloid that's found in the plant Huperzia serrata, also known as the Chinese club moss plant. For centuries, it's been used in Chinese medicine, mostly for things like fevers and inflammation. But in the past decade or so, research has shown that huperzine A works in the brain to prevent the breakdown of an important neurotransmitter needed for memory and cognition. It's pretty exciting stuff. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 These men, for example, are taking more nutritional supplements than ever before, and instead of pursuing the cheap, low-quality "bodybuilding" supplements that typify the past purchasing behavior of men, they're now consuming brain-enhancing nutrients (like bacopa, Lion's Mane, ginkgo and PS) and immune boosting nutrients (alkalizing greens, medicinal mushrooms, fish oils, etc.). They're turning away from over-processed, over-cooked and over-hyped brand-name foods and learning ways to eat more raw, organic and locally-grown produce. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 Concentrated ginkgo leaf increases the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| You should give ginkgo at least a twelve-week trial, the length of time used in many studies.
Ginseng
Boost your Immune System and Give Yourself an Energy Lift
NEXT TIME YOU adjust the thermostat on your central heating, think about ginseng. When you set a thermostat in your home, you're basically telling the unit to figure out what the temperature currently is and then to bring it in line with what you decide is comfortable. If the temperature is 80°F and you set the thermostat to 70°F, the unit will gradually cool the air. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Concentrated ginkgo leaf increases the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters. |
Jack Challem
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 Schulz found that ten key genes affecting brain function increased in activity by three to sixteen times after the mice consumed ginkgo. One of the genes increased activity in the hippocampus, the brain's center of learning and memory. The other nine genes positively influenced biochemical activity in the cerebral cortex, which controls memory, speech, logical and emotional responses, and voluntary physical movements. These genetic changes underlie the more obvious improvements in cognition and memory that occur after taking ginkgo. |
| Also, this particular study demonstrated that ginkgo improves the activity of many different genes in brain cells.
Schulz found that ten key genes affecting brain function increased in activity by three to sixteen times after the mice consumed ginkgo. One of the genes increased activity in the hippocampus, the brain's center of learning and memory. The other nine genes positively influenced biochemical activity in the cerebral cortex, which controls memory, speech, logical and emotional responses, and voluntary physical movements. |
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