over
300 patients with Alzheimer's disease or other memory
difficulties. The dosage used was 40mg three times a day
of a special ginkgo product called EGb 761®. The results
showed an improvement in cognitive function for patients
with mild to severe forms of Alzheimer's disease, compared
to those who took a placebo. In conclusion, the researchers
stated that ginkgo was helpful in "..improving the cognitive
performance and the social functioning of [patients with
dementia] for 6 months to 1 year."
.....While these results
seem to be promising, more research needs to be done.
I am looking forward to hearing about "the Ginkgo Evaluation
of Memory (GEM) study". This multimillion-dollar study
will follow 3,000 subjects who will receive either 240mg
ginkgo extract per day or placebo. Hopefully, this study
will provide more information about ginkgo's ability to
help with memory and cognitive impairment. The most common
dosage of ginkgo is between 40-60mg three times a day,
with a maximum dose of 240mg/day. When looking for a product,
make sure that it is standardized to contain 24% flavone
glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. I don't recommend
the non-standardized preparations, such as teas or tinctures,
because they may not be potent enough to be effective.
Sometimes ginkgo products are combined with synergstic
ingredients like phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine
(PC/PS) or ginseng. These products are also thought to
help with memory. Ginkgo usually has few side effects.
.....The most common side
effects are headache, stomach upset, difficulty sleeping,
dizziness, and allergic reactions. So what do garlic and
ginkgo have in common? Garlic, gingko and a third product
ginseng all enhance the effects of blood thinning medications.
This is very important. If you are taking medications
to thin the blood, like warfarin or higher doses of aspirin,
these herbals may make your blood too thin and may put
you at risk of bleeding complications. This is one of
the reasons why it is important to tell your Doctor or
Peoples Drug Mart Pharmacist about other medicines and/or
vitamins you may be taking. With this knowledge they can
alert you to any possible complications and help you stay
healthy.
Written
by: Ian Lloyd BSc. Pharm., a community pharmacist in Victoria
B.C.
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