Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
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 Most of us have also heard of the potential protective effect of the herb ginkgo biloba against dementia. It's thought to decrease free-radical damage to the brain and increase the flow of blood to vital areas responsible for memory. Scientists have found support in several randomized, protective studies and ginkgo is already on the German Commission E list as a safe treatment for dementia. Interestingly, ginkgo nuts have been a common food in Japan for centuries and are a common find in the typical Japanese pantry. |
| Chemically active compounds in its seeds, fresh roots, and leaves are in the same class of compounds—terpenes and flavonoids—as those found in ginkgo biloba, green tea, soy, and soy products.44 These compounds, of course, are extremely beneficial to your health. Much more research needs to be done, especially in humans, before mugwort can be recommended for other medical treatments, but its future looks very promising.
Usage. |
Zorba Paster, M.D. and Susan Meltsner
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 John's wort or ginkgo biloba, be sure to share this information with the physician who's treating you.
• Consider medical alert jewelry if you are allergic to certain classes of medicine—sulfa or penicillin-type drugs.
• Educate yourself, especially if you will be using a relatively new product. Find out what side effects to look for. Utilize the drug-information sheets every pharmacy should give. Similar information can be found in books on prescription medications such as The Pill Book or the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference). The Web is also an excellent source of medical information. |
Carol Simontacchi
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 The herb ginkgo biloba is an ancient herb that stimulates the flow of blood into the brain, improving memory and cognitive functions, particularly in the elderly. Gotu kola is another herb that is good for memory and reducing age-related cognitive decline.
The amino acid GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) is a calming amino acid that greatly reduces anxiety. GABA's sister amino acid, L-glutamine, is also calming and helps reduce addictive cravings (nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and other drugs). |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
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 Please note that tyrosine should not be taken in the presence of antipsychotic medications (usually prescribed by physicians) or in the presence of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
4. ginkgo biloba, 40 mg three times daily.
5. Saint-John's-wort, 300 mg three times daily. Saint-John's-wort is an herbal remedy for depression. Hypericin, the active ingredient, causes an inhibition of serotonin re-uptake. It has been nicknamed "herbal Prozac."
NUTRIENTS FOR THE AGING BRAIN?"I CAN'T REMEMBER . . . |
Dr. Julian Whitaker
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| It is, therefore, useful as a treatment for problems that result from impaired circulation, such as erectile dysfunction in men, vascular problems in the legs, and memory and cognitive declines. ginkgo biloba mildly dilates blood vessel walls and inhibits the actions of a substance called platelet activating factor (PAF), which causes platelets to clump together. The overall result is improved circulation, and nowhere is this as important as in the brain, which requires a constant supply of glucose and oxygen. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 See also the reports on acetyl-l-arnitine, choline, deprenyl, DHEA, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, melatonin, and phosphatidylserine in the sections on nutrients and herbs.
NUTRIENTS
--
The verdict is in on the case for nutrition as a life extender. The sheer volume of peer review studies supporting the link between diet and good health is clear and convincing evidence for those willing to take the time to look.
Data continues to support the use of supplements as well. The days when anyone could seriously question the value of things like vitamin C are over. |
Dr. Julian Whitaker
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| Researchers Jos Kleijnin and Paul Knipschild, of the University of Limburg in the Netherlands, found through these studies that taking ginkgo biloba extracts resulted in significant improvements in memory, concentration, energy, and mood. Test subjects taking ginkgo also reported less confusion and dizziness, and fewer headaches. This analysis further described how the electrical brain activity of elderly patients in two of the trials, as measured by electroencephalograms (EEGs), returned to normal with ginkgo supplementation. |
| SUMMING IT UP
Don't wait for your doctor to recommend ginkgo biloba or the other brain-boosting herbs presented in Step 3. Although these herbs are safe, effective therapies for enhancing memory in healthy individuals and improving cognitive function in those with memory loss, the medical establishment tends to ignore them. Please do not mistake their indifference for an herb's lack of efficacy or scientific backing. It is simply a typical response in the conventional medicine arena.
Now it's on to Step 4 of the program. There we will discuss the fats that nurture the brain. |
| Improve your circulation with ginkgo biloba. Not only does your body's production of these important nutrients decline with age, your requirements for them increase.
Nutritional supplementation is good for kids (I give my young children vitamins and minerals every day). It is important for young adults. But it is absolutely vital for anyone over fifty.
SUPPLEMENTATION AND OPTIMAL NUTRITION
A food plan to enhance brain function and overall health was presented in Step 1, but the best of food plans will benefit you only if you follow it. |
Andrew L. Stoll
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 Natural food pundits have advocated ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and other herbs to stoke the engines of cognition. However, two of the leading natural candidates for cognitive sharpening may be the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA.
Numerous studies document the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the development of the human brain. Animals and humans lacking these fatty acids during gestation and the first years of life score lower on IQ tests and a range of cognitive benchmarks. |
Michael Janson, M.D.
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 This further list of supplements might include extra selenium, ginkgo biloba, silymarin, bilberry, glutamine, melatonin, and carnitine. Admittedly, this is a vigorous program with many pills to take and greater expense. However, even if it were 10 dollars a day, it would be less than what some people spend on cigarettes, coffee, colas, hotdogs, and doughnuts! The following table represents such a program:
AM PM
Basic Multiple Formula.............................................3...........3
Vitamin C 1000 mg...................................................4........... |
| The combination that I use as vision nutrients contains 100 mg of the standardized bilberry extract, plus taurine, trace minerals, proanthocyanidins, ginkgo biloba and other antioxidants. Higher bilberry doses may help cataracts.
Silymarin (Milk Thistle Extract)
Silymarin is a combination of several components extracted from milk thistle. These are flavonoid antioxidants with specific benefits for the liver. They aid in the healing of already damaged liver, and they protect the liver from the damaging effects of environmental chemicals. |
| Capsules of the 24% standardized ginkgo biloba extract are available in 40- to 60-mg sizes. I usually recommend taking about 120 mg per day (two or three capsules depending on the size), although I have sometimes recommended higher doses.
Proanthocyanidins
Proanthocyanidin (PAC) bioflavonoids (also called procyanidolic oligomers) are powerful antioxidants and free-radical scavengers. |
Dr. Richard Schulze and Sam Biser
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| Brain tonic: This formula for strokes, memory, depression and hearing is 1 part Cayenne, 3 parts ginkgo biloba leaf, 1 part Rosemary (optional). Any part of plant above the ground, 1 Part Kola Nut (optional). To make formulas, see Video #2.
If all you have is cayenne, use plenty of that. I have seen cayenne alone bring people back who seemed lost to this world.
Technical information:
Common Name: Cayenne
Latin Name/Genus/species: Capsicum species
Part of plant used: fruit (pepper)
Herbal Special Notes: Cayenne is heat rated in 1-500,000 scoville heat units. |
Dr. Julian Whitaker
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| Look for a standardized extract of ginkgo biloba that contains 24-percent ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6-percent terpene lactones. Take 60 milligrams twice a day with meals for a minimum of twelve weeks. (It may take this long to begin to notice effects.) Be aware that ginkgo may react with MAO inhibitor antidepressants and with blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Step 4—Nurture Your Brain With Fats
A basic nutritional supplement program should also include omega-3 fatty acids, especially the "smart fat" docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). |
John Boik
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 An extract of ginkgo biloba administered intravenously or orally to rabbits reduced experimentally induced thrombus formation (Borzeix et al, 1980). Aloe vera decreased thromboxane A2 and B2 production in vitro (Klein et al., 1988). Capsaicin (from cayenne pepper, Capsicum frutes-cens) is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation in vitro (Wang et al., 1984a).
Extracts of Paeonia lactiflora (bai shao) prolonged prothrombin time, inhibited thrombin, stimulated plasminogen, and inhibited urokinase activity in vitro (Wang and Ma, 1990). |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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 This common form of memory loss usually doesn't respond to ginkgo biloba. The usual dose per day is 120 to 240 milligrams containing 22 to 27 percent ginkgo flavone glycosides and 5 to 7 percent terpene lactones.
Kava Kava
Kava kava has been used safely in Polynesian societies for centuries. Its official Latin name is Piper metbysticum, meaning "intoxicating pepper," and it was discovered on Captain Cook's second expedition to the South Seas in 1772. In European herbal medicine kava kava has been used for mild anxiety states, nervous tension, muscle tension, and mild insomnia. |
Ruth Winter, M.S.
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 An extract of ginkgo biloba. A sacred tree of the Chinese, the fruit has an offensive odor but is resistant to smoke, disease, and insects. Used in perfumes and as an insecticide. No known toxicity.
GINSENG • Root of the ginseng plant grown in China, Korea, and the United States. It produces a resin, a sugar starch, glue, and volatile oil. Widely used in oriental medicine as an aromatic bitter. It is used in American cosmetics as a demulcent (see). No known toxicity.
GLANDULAR SUBSTANCES • Extracts of animal glands widely used in the cosmetic industry for various purposes. |
James A. Howenstine, MD
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 The product also contains ginkgo biloba, damiana extract, gotu kola extract Siberian ginseng extract and saw palmetto. All these substances are believed to have beneficial effects on male sexual performance.
Apply one fourth to one half teaspoon to the skin of the inner thigh or inner arm daily. This is available from Advance Nutritional Products 888- 436 7200 and from our Natural Health Team 800-416-2806.
Alcoholism
Dr. Roger Williams did experiments 40 years ago with alcohol that still have great interest. Some rats were fed 10% alcohol, others water. |
Thomas Bartram
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 Limited success. Ginkgo biloba: for capillary circulation. Bilberries. A farmer with diabetic retinopathy was nearly blind and had his sight successfully restored after taking Bilberry extract for three months, enabling him to resume normal life on the farm. Even blood sugar levels significantly stabilised. (Paul Keogh ND) Diet. Low salt. High fibre. Bilberries. Supplements. Daily. Vitamin C, 500mg. Vitamin E, 400iu. Beta-carotene. Evening Primrose 500mg. Selenium, Zinc.
Note. |
| Periwinkle (vinca minor) tea: congestion of blood in the retina. ginkgo biloba.
Diet. Bilberries. Avoid peppers and spicy foods. Low salt.
Supplements. Vitamin C, lg thrice daily. Vitamin E, one 400iu capsule, morning and evening. Beta-carotene. Selenium, Zinc.
RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA. An inherited slowly degenerative disease of nerves of the retina.
Symptoms: night blindness leading to progressive blindness, sensitive to sunlight. No cure possible.
Alternatives. Limited efficacy. |
Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS
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 Vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, selenium, lipoic acid, lycopene, glutathione, tocotrienols, quercetin, Coenzyme Q, oligomeric proanthocyanidins from grape seed, curcumin, ginkgo biloba, and green tea are in the ImmunoPower to provide complete protection from an entire hierarchy of antioxidants.
ANTI-PRO LIFERATIVE AGENTS While most nutritionists agree on the importance of growth (proliferative) nutrients, few nutritionists respect the importance for anti-proliferative nutrients. For every force in the body, there must be an opposing force to regulate that mechanism. |
| Numerous herbal extracts, including ginseng and ginkgo biloba, can enhance the aerobic capacity of the cell. Coenzyme Q-10 is a nutrient that is the rate-limiting step in aerobic metabolism, not unlike the bridge that ties up traffic going into the city during rush hour. Most people are low in their levels CoQ.
Breathing is a lost art in our modern world. Ancient scholars and spiritual teachers taught us that breath is the essence of life. |
John Heinerman
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 Learning enhancement and memory retention have also been" dramatically improved when ashwagandha (3 capsules), gotu kola (2 capsules), and ginkgo biloba (2 capsules) were taken regularly on a daily basis.
Anti-Tumor, Anti-Inflammatory Effects Noticed
Studies with rats and human volunteers have conclusively shown that ashwagandha is helpful in putting cancer tumors into regression ( when used as an alcoholic root extract) and in reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The plant's high steroid content has shown more potent action than hydrocortisone in animal and human arthritis. |
John Boik
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| Proan-thocyanidin extracts are commercially available and are commonly used in divided doses of 50 to 100 mg/day.
1 ginkgo biloba extracts are the most prescribed herbal monopreparation, with annual sales of $280 million (U.S.). The extracts are used to enhance circulation.
17.3.3 Bufo Bufo Gargarizans (Chan Su, Toad Skin)
Bufo bufo gargarizans has been used with apparent success in treating acute leukemia. This substance is toxic, and must be used cautiously. The traditional dose for the venom of bufo is 0.015 to 0.03 grams/day in pill form. |
Gary Null
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 If you take 240 milligrams (mg) of ginkgo daily, it should relieve impotence due to arterial blockage. ginkgo biloba is best taken as a standardized extract because the constituents are not readily assimilated by the body. It does not break down well with alcohol either so it's not effective as a tincture or crude extract. Throughout Europe you can get this herb in capsule form, although though this is not so popular in the United States. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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 One low-dose aspirin tablet (81 mg) a day with the heaviest meal. Some people need to take an entire aspirin tablet (325 mg).
Consult your physician regarding any progression in your condition, alterations in your health, and any infections or injuries in affected areas to prevent serious consequences.
PENTOXIFYLLINE (PTX) PRECAUTIONS
PTX should not be used in those with bleeding disorders, such as those with recent cerebral or retinal hemonhage
(Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) 2001)- Patients taking Coumadin should have more frequent monitoring of prothrombin time. |
Dr. Mary Dan Eades
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 Herbal remedies
• Burdock, milk thistle, and red clover cleanse the bloodstream.
• ginkgo biloba improves circulation and has potential antioxidant properties.
• Ginseng and licorice are beneficial for age spots. Caution: Do not use either of these herbs if you have high blood pressure.
Dosages may vary, depending on the duration and severity of your symptoms. Follow package directions, or consult a qualified herbal practitioner.
What makes them worse?
• Sun exposure, natural sun or sunbed use, because of its aging effect on skin, may promote an increase in age spotting. |
Earl Mindell
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 Standardized ginkgo biloba tablets, 60 mg. 1-3 times daily
SYMPTOM: Menstrual Problems
B12 Yeast, liver, beef, eggs, kidney
Recommended Supplement: 7-10 days before period:
1 MVP a.m. and p.m. with meals
100 mg. B6 3 times daily 100 mg. B complex (time release) a.m. and p.m. Evening primrose oil, 500 mg. 3 times daily 500 mg. |
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