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What
is Ginkgo Biloba?
Ginkgo Biloba Extract comes from the
Ginkgo Biloba Tree. It is also referred to as the Maidenhair
tree, Ginkgo tree or just Ginkgo. The tree can be found
in the US, Canada, Middle and South America, China, India,
Australia, Japan and Singapore.
The Ginkgo Biloba tree is thought to
be over 250 million years old. It is also referred to as
the Maidenhair Tree, and was discovered in China in 1690.
Its name is derived from the Chinese yin (silver) and hing
(apricot). Because of its age, Darwin referred to it as
a living fossil. Ginkgo trees were common and widespread
in Asia, Europe and America. However, they died out in America
about 7 million years ago
Ginko biloba is used by almost 11 million
Americans to improve their memory and increase blood circulation.
Ginko biloba may reduce platelets, which are needed for
blood to clot. The herbal feverfew also appears to interfere
with blood clotting. Ginkgo Biloba has become one of the
more popular herbal remedies.
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Why
Ginkgo Biloba? Ginkgo Biloba Benefits
One of Ginkgo's chief benefits is its
ability to increase circulation to the brain and to the
extremities. In this way, it is thought to protect blood
vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) from damage. This
is possible because Ginkgo Biloba contains bioflavonoids.
Bioflavonoids are known to protect circulation in smaller
blood vessels and to be great antioxidants. They are capable
of preventing and repairing problems related to circulation
within capillaries.
Stemming from the overall circulation-related benefit, Ginkgo
Biloba may support memory recall. In the brain, malfunctions
within the capillaries caused by circulation problems can
lead to memory problems. Ginkgo is believed to repair these
particular circulatory malfunctions in the brain; this is
how Ginkgo can increase the functionality of the brain and
memory. Further, Ginkgo has the ability to increase the
amount of oxygen in the body's blood, which can also contribute
to an enhanced memory.
The antioxidant- and circulation-related
properties of Ginkgo occur throughout the body. Consequently,
this particular herb is beneficial to all organs. It is
sometimes used to treat hearing problems, impotence, vision
problems, edema and even circulatory health problems such
as strokes.
Ginkgo Biloba's ability to improve blood
flow can prove beneficial to the elderly population as well.
This is primarily because age can lead to decreased blood
flow to the extremities.
"In studies, Ginkgo biloba has been
shown to positively influence cognitive performance in aged
populations, including those with symptoms of dementia such
as memory deficits, disturbances in concentration, depressive
emotional condition, dizziness, tinnitus and headache,"
said Barbara Levine, RD, PhD, Director of the Nutrition
Information Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
and advisory board member of the Pharmaton Institute for
Wellness. "This recent report, which is the most comprehensive
review and meta-analysis of Ginkgo biloba by a well-respected
scientific reviewer of clinical trials, supports the benefits
of this popular nutritional supplement."
Ginkgo biloba is the most studied herbal
supplement on the market. The leading extract, on which
21 of the 33 studies referenced by the Cochrane Collaboration
were conducted, is known as EGb761. The extract is made
by the W. Schwabe Pharmaceutical Company of Karlsruhe, Germany,
and is imported into the U.S. under the name Ginkoba(R)
by Pharmaton Natural Health Products in Ridgefield, CT,
among others.
"Many consumers have turned to nutritional
supplements such as ginkgo for years as a natural way to
promote health and wellness in their lives," said Dr.
Levine. "Those seeking the health benefits of Ginkgo
biloba and other supplements should consider products that
contain the same concentrated, standardized extract that
has been the subject of extensive scientific research."
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Ginkgo
Biloba Supplements (Ginkgo Biloba Extracts)
There are several companies produce Ginkgo
Biloba supplements. I personally recommend Ginkgo Biloba
50:1 (120mg) from Jarrow Formulations. Jarrow Formulas'
GINKGO Biloba 50:1 begins with fresh plantation cultivated
leaves. The extraction process is standardized at 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides
(or heterosides) and a minimum of 6% terpene lactones, and
is the richest source of the terpene Ginkgolides A &
B, the most desirable fractions.
Jarrow Formulas' GINKGO BILOBA 50:1 retains
the compounds that render the flavonoids and terpenes bioavailable.
Clinical research demonstrates that Ginko Biloba has a wide
range of beneficial effects, including inhibition of Platelet
Activating Factor (PAF), increased cerebral circulation
and antioxidant protection.
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Click here for Ginkgo Biloba 50:1 (120mg) from Jarrow Formulations
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