Ginkgo Biloba as a Brain Health Supplement for Dementia
The benefits of ginkgo for the brain: It does not seem to play a role in preventing cognitive decline or dementia, but it may play a role in treating it.
What about the new class of anti-Alzheimer’s drugs? Check out: Controversy Around FDA’s Approval of Biogen Alzheimer’s Drug, Aducanumab ( ).
Unfortunately, the problems found in ginkgo supplements are by no means unique. See, for example, Dangers of Dietary Supplement Deregulation ( ).
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-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
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*choline*
Which kind, what dose please ?
Thank you for saving me money Dr Greger!
That’s confusing. So it improves cognition if you have loss but doesn’t prevent it? How does that work?
It means it works on factors or symptoms downstream of causes of dementia.
Unfortunately that means it only works a little
Locally I have heard people say that the fake ginkgo tends to be just onion extract,.. however they do get a placebo effect, would you agree?
Everyone is obsessed with pills. Ginko leaves make a fine tea. I mix mine with sencha green tea and gynostemma.
I was just talking about this with someone earlier today.
The comment about 1 in 6 supplements having no ginkgo in them always concerns me, with all supplements. Dr. Greger will often add you can get this food for pennies or this supplement is cheap, I’ve always wanted a Dr. Greger approved list or a where to finds these berries for pennies a day list or supplement brands that can be trusted. Could certainly see how this could be viewed as bias and some may say Dr Greger is under the thumb of Big Ginkgo, but has always been something I’ve been interested in.
I’ve been waiting for you to do an episode on ginkgo! I started taking it recently to help improve blood flow to my brain after years of cannabis use. I’ve seen SO much benefit in terms of my ability to pay attention, my anxiety, my adhd symptoms, and how well I articulate my words. One weird thing I noticed is that it makes my dreams at night very vivid, and I wonder if it has an effect on REM sleep, especially for an ex-cannabis user.
I used to take multiple supplements and nootropics for focus and anxiety but after starting ginkgo I simply don’t need them anymore, in fact this is more effective and more affordable than anything I have taken.
It does seem to improve my memory a bit but I think it does so indirectly as I’m able to pay more attention to what people say to me and to where I put my items around the house.
Despite the knowledge that it doesn’t seem to improve dementia I strongly believe that it can improve brain function and quality of life in other ways. It has unexpectedly become my favorite supplement and it has replaced 5 other supplements I tried for the same effect.