Ginkgo Biloba is the oldest seed plant that has existed on earth to date and can survive for more than a thousand years. It existed on the earth during the dinosaur era hundreds of millions of years ago, and it can survive through drastic environmental changes, which shows its tenacious vitality.
It is generally mentioned that ginkgo health foods are mostly ginkgo leaf extracts. Do you know ginkgo Biloba benefits and side effects?
Table of Contents
- What is Ginkgo Biloba Extract?
- What are the benefits of Ginkgo biloba extract?
- 1. Ginkgo benefits tinnitus improvement
- 2. Ginkgo benefits acute mountain sickness
- 3. Ginkgo prevents or improves dementia
- 4. Ginkgo improves memory and concentration (for those in good health)
- 5. Ginkgo improves peripheral artery disease: intermittent claudication
- 6. Ginkgo prevention or improvement and stroke
- 7. Ginkgo improves delayed dyskinesia
- Are there any side effects of Ginkgo?
- Safety Precautions
- Where to buy the most recommended ginkgo biloba extract capsules?
What is Ginkgo Biloba Extract?
Ginkgo biloba is the most medically valuable part of the ginkgo tree. Its extract is rich in terpenoids, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, and platelet inhibition effects. It has been widely used in the past century For improving blood circulation disorders, tinnitus, dizziness, and cognitive deterioration
What are the benefits of Ginkgo biloba extract?
1. Ginkgo benefits tinnitus improvement
Tinnitus is a sound perception produced without any external stimuli. Symptoms can be unilateral or bilateral and may be accompanied by hearing loss, similar to hiss, whistle, hum, and chirp.
Epidemiological studies have found that most people have experienced tinnitus, and 10% to 15% will have intermittent seizures. The predominant group is elderly (60 to 69 years old peak), body mass index above 30 kg/m2, smoking, Diabetes, and hypertension are common.
Even though most people can learn to ignore hallucinations, about 3% of patients with tinnitus seriously affect the quality of life, which may cause irritability, restlessness, stress, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
A Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (including 4 randomized controlled trials, a total of 1543 participants) pointed out that the use of ginkgo biloba extract preparations for patients with primary tinnitus did not significantly help.
However, for the tinnitus phenomenon associated with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the use of Ginkgo extract may have a small but statistically significant improvement effect.
*Conclusion: As of now, there is not enough evidence to prove that Ginkgo biloba extract can improve primary tinnitus, which needs further research to further verify.
2. Ginkgo benefits acute mountain sickness
Acute mountain sickness usually occurs at an altitude of more than 2500 meters (about 8000 feet). It usually appears 4 to 24 hours after rising to a new height and disappears within 2 to 3 days at the same altitude.
It is characterized by some or all of the symptoms of headache, weakness, fatigue, listlessness, nausea, insomnia, and loss of appetite.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 7 randomized controlled trials with a total of 451 participants) pointed out that in pooled analyses, although ginkgo biloba extract may have a tendency to prevent acute mountain sickness/altitude sickness, the effect was not statistically significant (analysis in subgroups also showed similar conclusions).
*Conclusion: Up to now, the data indicates that although Ginkgo biloba extract may have a tendency to prevent acute mountain sickness/altitude sickness, the relevant evidence is still insufficient, and more large-scale studies are still needed to further verify.
3. Ginkgo prevents or improves dementia
Dementia is a disease of progressive memory loss and impaired cognitive ability. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for about two-thirds of all cases.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV defines dementia as memory loss, and at least one cognitive function is impaired, such as proficiency (limb apraxia), language (aphasia) or executive function (such as a plan, Attention and abstract reasoning), but also cannot be explained by other mental illnesses, such as emotional disorders.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 4 randomized, placebo-controlled trials, a total of 1628 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia) pointed out.
Oral Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) helps to improve the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and caregiver distress scores. Improvement indicators include: depression, irritability, anxiety, aggression, abnormal motor behavior, apathy, sleep , Nighttime behavior, anxiety, irritability, and instability, but psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and euphoria/euphoria did not improve significantly.
In addition, regarding the prevention effect, a Meta-Analysis (including 2 studies, a total of 5,889 participants) pointed out that Ginkgo biloba extract does not prevent the occurrence of dementia.
The molecular mechanism of Ginkgo biloba extract against dementia may be related to its anti-free radical and neuroprotective properties. It has the potential to reduce beta-amyloid accumulation, improve mitochondrial function, reduce blood viscosity, and improve nerve conduction.
*Summary: Based on the current evidence, ginkgo biloba extract cannot prevent dementia, but for patients who have already suffered from the disease, the use of ginkgo biloba preparation may bring positive help.
4. Ginkgo improves memory and concentration (for those in good health)
As they get older, most people have experience of forgetting things, maybe they are going out and they forget to take the key, what they said in the last sentence, etc. Most of these phenomena can be remembered if they are thoughtful or reminded by others. It is normal that the memory capacity and speed are weak.
And good memory is an important weapon to maintain competitiveness, whether it is in learning, work, life, and social aspects.
A meta-analysis of literature (including 10 studies with a total of 2576 participants) pointed out that for healthy people, the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on improving memory, execution ability and concentration are not only insignificant but also Approaching zero (the relevant effect value is not related to age, duration, dosage, and formulation).
*Summary: Ginkgo biloba extract has no significant effect on improving memory and related cognitive abilities.
5. Ginkgo improves peripheral artery disease: intermittent claudication
Intermittent claudication is mainly caused by blockage of the arteries in the lower extremities, resulting in no circulation of blood to the surrounding tissues.
Lameness usually occurs during exercise (especially when walking). Symptoms include pain, cramps, and fatigue in the lower legs, which will recover after a period of rest.
Ginkgo biloba extract is considered to be helpful for peripheral arterial diseases due to its effects on promoting circulation, vasodilation, and anti-platelet coagulation.
A Cochrane database of systematic reviews (including 14 randomized controlled trials, a total of 739 intermittent claudication patients) pointed out that although taking Ginkgo biloba extract helps to improve walking distance (increased by 64.5 meters), but compared For placebo, there was no significant difference in improvement.
*Summary: Ginkgo biloba extract has no clinically significant effect on improving intermittent claudication.
6. Ginkgo prevention or improvement and stroke
There are roughly two types of stroke, namely ischemic type (85%) and hemorrhagic type (15%), and after the stroke, about 15% of patients will appear incapacitated, and even need long-term care, resulting in Heavy medical burden.
Regarding the prevention effect, a double-blind controlled study (tracking period of 6 years, a total of 3069 participants) pointed out that although Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb-761) can help reduce the incidence of peripheral vascular disease (peripheral vascular disease events). It has no preventive effect on stroke and other heart and blood events.
A Cochrane database of systematic reviews (including 10 trials, 792 patients with ischemic stroke) pointed out that the regular use of Ginkgo biloba extract has no obvious improvement effect on the post-stroke state (the author also mentioned, because the evidence included in the research is weak and needs further confirmation).
However, another recent double-blind controlled study (4 months, 102 subjects with ischemic stroke) pointed out that Ginkgo biloba extract has a better protective effect than a placebo for the post-stroke state (measured by neurological deficit score, NIHSS).
*Summary: Taking Ginkgo biloba extract does not reduce the incidence of stroke, but it may help improve post-stroke conditions.
7. Ginkgo improves delayed dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia is a common side effect (about 20%-30% prevalence rate) after taking antipsychotic drugs, which mainly causes involuntary twitching of muscles, and the most frequently affected facial and oral muscles, causing oral and dental discomfort Difficulty in clearing or swallowing, severely spreading to the respiratory tract, causing life-threatening.
A literature meta-analysis (Meta-analysis, including 3 randomized controlled trials, participants were 299 patients with schizophrenia with tardive dyskinesia), compared to single-use or placebo, Ginkgo biloba extract ( The optimal dose is 240 mg daily) combined with drugs can improve the severity and clinical symptoms of delayed dyskinesia (as measured by the AIMS score).
The underlying mechanism is related to the free radical scavenging ability of Ginkgo biloba extract, increasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and reducing neurotoxicity.
*Conclusion: For late-onset dyskinesia caused by antipsychotic drugs, the combined use of Ginkgo biloba extract can reduce the severity of such phenomena
Are there any side effects of Ginkgo?
For most people, it is safe to use Ginkgo biloba extract in moderation, but the possible side effects or adverse reactions that have been reported are diarrhea, stomach upset, stomach pain, headache, abnormal heartbeat, dizziness, constipation, rash.
In addition, eating raw ginkgo fruit or excessive consumption of cooked ginkgo fruit can cause poisoning. The main symptoms of poisoning are difficulty breathing, pulse weakness, epilepsy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, confusion, shock and convulsions, which is due to ginkgo The fruit contains 4′-methoxypyridoxine and cyanogenic glycosides and other biological toxins, of which 4′-methoxypyridoxine will inhibit the biosynthesis, metabolism and function of vitamin B6, GABA, and glutamate.
Safety Precautions
1. Do not use during pregnancy or during pregnancy. It may cause difficulty in conception, premature delivery, or bleeding during delivery.
2. Do not use for breastfeeding women, because the related safety is unknown.
3. Do not use it for patients with epilepsy, it may increase the incidence of morbidity.
4. Ginkgo fruit and pulp can cause severe allergic skin reactions and mucous membrane irritation.
5. People who are allergic to poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, mango rind, or cashew shell oil may also have an allergic reaction to ginkgo.
6. Do not use in patients with glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency (also known as broad bean disease or G6PD deficiency), which may cause acute hemolytic anemia.
7. Please stop using Ginkgo-related products two weeks before the operation. This is because Ginkgo may delay blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery.
8. Do not use drugs with anticoagulant effect or abnormal coagulation function, which may increase the risk of bruising or bleeding. This is due to the anticoagulant effect of Ginkgo. The common related drug names are Aspirin, clopidogrel, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin.
9. Do not use in combination with drugs commonly used in psychiatry, which may affect the efficacy of drugs. Common related drugs are Alprazolam, Buspirone.
10. Do not use Efavirenz, a drug against human immunodeficiency virus (also known as the AIDS virus), which may affect the efficacy of the drug.
11. Do not combine with St. John’s wort and fluoxetine, which may cause mild mania (symptoms: irritability, nervousness, restlessness, and excitement).
12. Do not use in combination with drugs that need to be metabolized by Cytochrome P450 enzymes, which may affect the efficacy of drugs. Common related drug names are as follows:
- Clozapine, cyclobenzaprine, fluvoxamine, haloperidol, imipramine, mexiletine, olanzapine, pentazocine, propranolol, tacrine, theophylline, zileuton, zolmitriptan.
- Amitriptyline, carisoprodol, citalopram, diazepam, lansoprazole, omeprazole, phenytoin, warfarin.
- celecoxib, diclofenac, fluvastatin, glizizide, ibuprofen, irbesartan, losartanpiroxicam, tamoxifen, tolbutamide, torsemide.
- clozapine, codeine, desipramine, donepezil, fentanyl, flecainide, fluoxetine, meperidine, methadone, metoprolol, olanzapine, ondansetron, tramadol, trazodone.
- lovastatin, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, diltiazem, estrogens, indinavir, triazolam.
13. Do not use it together with hypoglycemic drugs, which may affect the efficacy of drugs. Common related drug names are as follows: Glimepiride, glyburide, insulin, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, chlorpropamide, glipizide, tolbutamide.
14. Do not use it in combination with the antidepressant Trazodone. There have been cases of coma caused by co-administration.
15. Do not use in combination with drugs that increase the chance of seizures (such as anesthetics, theophylline, antiarrhythmic drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, immunosuppressants, stimulants), it may significantly increase epilepsy Risk of seizures.
16. Do not use in combination with antiepileptic drugs, which may affect the efficacy of drugs. The names of related drugs are Phenobarbital, primidone, valproic acid, gabapentin, carbamazepine, phenytoin.
17. Do not use in combination with the blood pressure-lowering drug Hydrochlorothiazide, it may cause blood pressure to rise.
18. Do not use Omeprazole in combination with peptic ulcer or reflux esophagitis, which may affect the efficacy of the drug
Where to buy the most recommended ginkgo biloba extract capsules?
In recent years, food safety problems in various countries have exploded, and it is not healthy but black-hearted products that everyone spends on. Therefore, European and American products with relatively strict quality control have become popular products.
And iHerb.com is a large-scale medical cosmetics e-commerce company in the United States. It has a high satisfaction rate of 97% in the evaluation of Google customers. It provides global home delivery so that you can buy it without risking buying fakes through purchasing high-quality health products.
