|
Ginkgo: Nature's Brain Booster
When I think of an herbal remedy that is a perfect example
of the marriage of folklore and modern science, --Donald J. Brown, N.D., Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health The ginkgo tree stands as a
living monument to the potential and miracle of longevity. Fossil records
indicate that the tree's botanical family,
Ginkgoaceae, has been around for some 200
million years. The ginkgo tree itself has a life expectancy of up to 4,000
years. In fact, Of course, the ginkgo tree would likely have become extinct long ago were it not for its remarkable resiliency and resistance to environmental stressors such as insects, pollutants, viruses, and fungi. For proof of the species' hardiness, consider that a ginkgo tree actually survived the atomic bomb blast that leveled Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. The tree still stands today near the epicenter of the explosion. Each leaf of the ginkgo tree supplies a broad spectrum of substances that exist nowhere else in nature. These tongue-twisting chemical compounds--flavonoids, terpenes, and other organic compounds collectively called gingko-flavone glycosides--work together to produce an astounding range of therapeutic effects. As an anti-aging herb, ginkgo supports Renewal in a variety of ways. It scavenges disease-causing free radicals and strengthens cell membranes. It boosts production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a chemical that supports cellular metabolism. It regulates the "stickiness" of platelets, the blood cells that cling together to form clots. In this way, ginkgo helps to prevent the arterial clogging that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Despite all of these benefits, however, ginkgo remains best known as a brain booster. For centuries, Eastern herbalists have prescribed ginkgo to prevent and reverse memory loss and other symptoms of mental decline. Now Western scientists know why: Their research has shown that the herb not only enhances communication between nerve cells but also increases blood flow to the brain (as well as to the eyes, ears, and extremities). These factors combine to keep the mind sharp. A Long History of Healing According to ancient Chinese medical texts, ginkgo has been used as a healing agent for at least 5,000 years. But for the Chinese, the herb had both medicinal and spiritual significance. Buddhist monks regarded the ginkgo tree as holy, anointing it the elder statesman of trees. While most people think of the ginkgo tree as native to Asian countries, it may at one time have grown on European soil as well. Evidence suggests that the European ginkgos fell victim to advancing glaciers during the Ice Age. So Westerners didn't "discover" the majestic trees until the 1600s, when European explorers began traveling to China and Japan. One European who apparently was quite taken with the
ginkgo tree was Engelbert Kämpfer, a German doctor and botanist. In
1690, Kämpfer journeyed to Japan, where he encountered his
first The "biloba" of The shape of the gingko leaf so captivated the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe that he immortalized it with the following verse. The leaf of this tree Brought to my garden from the East Holds a secret meaning-- But only for those who can divine: Is it one living being That grew divided in itself? Or are they two who chose each other, Wishing to be known as one? The answer to these deep questions Is very clear to me: Can you feel from my poem That I could one--or both--be? The ginkgo tree's natural beauty and hardiness led to its cultivation as an ornamental plant not just in Western countries but also throughout the world. Only recently has the therapeutic value of the ginkgo leaves begun to receive the scientific attention that it deserves. Bonanza for the Brain Mother Nature seems to have crafted ginkgo specifically as an antidote to aging. The herb has a remarkable ability to invigorate the body's circulatory and nervous systems, slowing and even reversing their age-related breakdown. In this way, ginkgo protects against heart attacks, strokes, and a whole host of brain disorders, not the least of which is senility. Just like other organs and tissues of the body, the brain relies on blood to deliver a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients. When circulation is impaired, the brain doesn't get as much blood as it should. This condition leads to the mental deterioration that we so often associate with "growing old." By enhancing blood flow to the brain (and throughout the body), ginkgo protects and even improves mental function. The herb offers great hope to anyone who has already begun to show signs of diminished mental performance--as well as to anyone who simply wants to boost his brain power. Go with the Flow When the arteries that feed the brain harden and clog, blood has a hard time reaching its destination. This condition, known as cerebral ischemia, deprives the brain of the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Over time, cerebral ischemia produces common symptoms of mental decline: agitation, confusion, depression, disorientation, fatigue, forgetfulness, impaired hearing and vision, lack of coordination, poor concentration, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and vertigo. Cerebral ischemia can even lead to transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes. The oxygen deprivation that results from cerebral ischemia causes a dangerous accumulation of free radicals in the brain. Of all the cells in the body, brain cells are among the most vulnerable to free radical damage, primarily because of their high concentrations of fat. (You'll recall from chapter 2 that fat molecules are easily damaged by free radicals, which snatch their electrons.) Injury to a brain cell's protective membranes interferes with cell function and eventually leads to cell death. Both cerebral ischemia and cerebral hypoxia (the medical term for oxygen deficiency in the brain) become more common with advancing age. But unlike a full-fledged stroke, which causes often irreversible brain damage, cerebral ischemia and cerebral hypoxia are highly treatable. Restoration of optimum blood flow to the brain is key. More than 40 scientific studies have found that ginkgo dramatically improves blood circulation to the brain. With its circulatory system operating at peak capacity, the brain gets all of the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function. Cerebral ischemia and cerebral hypoxia go into remission, and their symptoms subside. Mental performance returns to normal--in fact, it may be sharper and stronger than ever. It is in this context--in the arena of improved circulatory and nervous system function--that ginkgo's restorative effects seem downright amazing. Equally important for those of us who want to extend our life spans is ginkgo's protective effects. Daily supplementation with the herb inhibits the relentless forward progress of aging of the brain, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. Neural Networking Ginkgo also enhances brain function by improving communication between nerve cells. For starters, the herb increases the availability of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that enable nerve cells to "talk" to one another. It supports the production of new neurotransmitters and facilitates the recycling of used ones. The greater the number of these chemical messengers, the more efficient the message transmission between nerve cells. In addition, ginkgo increases the number of neurotransmitter receptor sites on nerve cells. This enables the nerve cells to send and receive more messages. To visualize how this works, think of a nerve cell as a phone system. The more lines that it has, the more calls it can handle at one time. The cell's productivity--and with it your ability to process, store, and retrieve information--increases exponentially. As nerve cells fire messages back and forth, they create various patterns of electrical activity. These brain waves, as they're called, serve as a good indicator of brain function. They can be measured with the help of an electroencephalogram, or EEG. At least one study has suggested that ginkgo positively influences brain wave activity. In the study, older people who had displayed symptoms of mental deterioration were given ginkgo supplements. Their EEGs showed increased alpha waves, which are associated with alertness, and decreased theta waves, associated with a sleeplike mental state. Thanks for the Memories Other research has provided evidence that large doses
of ginkgo can have positive short-term effects on intellectual processes,
memory, mood, and sociability. In one study, half of a group of healthy
female volunteers took a single large dose of
The ginkgo-takers experienced immediate and significant improvement in short-term memory, compared with the placebo-takers. Keep in mind that ginkgo does not act as a stimulant. Instead, it sharpens memory through a combination of improved blood circulation and enhanced nerve cell communication. I often take a combination of ginkgo and Several studies of the effects of ginkgo on Alzheimer's disease have also yielded encouraging results. Although the herb cannot cure Alzheimer's, it may slow the progression of the disease or delay its onset. Alzheimer's patients who were given ginkgo showed significant improvement in mood and mental sharpness. The Better to See You With, My Dear By virtue of its role as a circulatory aid, ginkgo has proven effective as a treatment and preventive for an assortment of age-related health problems. For instance, the herb has been used to correct age-related sensory disorders such as vision and hearing loss. Ginkgo boosts blood flow to the numerous tiny vessels that feed the eyes and ears--vessels that gradually deteriorate with advancing age. For the eyes, the combination of improved circulation and enhanced nerve cell communication helps to delay and even prevent vision impairment and loss. Ginkgo safeguards eyesight against conditions directly caused by compromised circulation, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy (deterioration of the retina associated with diabetes), and macular degeneration (a condition characterized by cell breakdown in the retina that leads to vision loss). For the ears, improved circulation--courtesy of ginkgo--can mean relief from the ringing and other "background noise" associated with tinnitus. It can also put an end to balance and equilibrium problems such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and vertigo. Back in Circulation By delivering blood to the arms and legs, ginkgo can ease the symptoms of peripheral arterial insufficiency--a fancy name for poor circulation to the extremities. These symptoms can include cold hands and feet, tingling sensations (paresthesias) in the arms and legs, muscle cramps, leg pain upon exertion (intermittent claudication), and sores on the arms and legs that won't heal. All of these symptoms respond well to ginkgo therapy. In studies, people who took ginkgo supplements for poor circulation had warmer extremities, experienced fewer nighttime leg cramps, and walked farther without pain. Since exercise is key to longevity, the enhanced exercise tolerance afforded by ginkgo may rank among the herb's most important anti-aging effects. And let's not overlook the link between ginkgo and another "extremity." The herb has a good track record in the treatment of impotence caused by insufficient blood flow. Outwitting the Killers As I mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, ginkgo offers superior protection against heart attack and stroke. Specifically, it inhibits the inappropriate formation of blood clots by platelets. Platelets are very small blood cells with a very big responsibility. When a blood vessel becomes injured--by a cut, for example--platelets swarm to the site and plug up the hole in the vessel wall. They do this by sticking together to form a clot. Without the platelets' speedy repair work, blood would continue leaking out of the vessel. Uncontrolled hemorrhaging could lead to death. Sometimes, however, the clotting mechanism goes awry. Platelets become more sticky than normal, causing them to cling to the blood vessel wall or to each other for no apparent reason. The resulting clot may remain attached to the vessel wall (if it does, it's called a thrombus). Or it may break free and float around the bloodstream until it encounters a vessel that it can't pass through (in which case, it is known as an embolus). Wherever the embolus lodges, it wreaks havoc. In the brain, it causes a stroke; in the lungs, a pulmonary embolism; in the heart, a heart attack. No matter which way you look at it, the outcome is disastrous. By preventing platelets from becoming excessively sticky, ginkgo can substantially reduce the likelihood that any of these scenarios will ever play out. Consider the herb your longevity insurance policy. Ginkgo Every Day With daily supplementation of ginkgo, "inevitable" age-related changes in health no longer seem quite so inevitable. Most notably, your circulatory and nervous systems remain strong, and your mind retains the agility of youth. Globally, millions of people are already taking advantage of ginkgo's remarkable anti-aging benefits. In European and Asian countries, consumers spend more than $500 million annually on over-the-counter ginkgo products. Physicians in France and Germany routinely recommend standardized ginkgo extracts to their patients. Physicians around the world write more than 10 million prescriptions for ginkgo every year.
The Supplement of Choice Perhaps the hardest part about taking ginkgo is choosing the right supplement. A great many commercial ginkgo products are available--but they're not all created equal. All of the definitive studies of ginkgo used a 24 percent standardized extract. This is what I recommend to my patients. Such a product should have the phrase "24 percent standardized extract" clearly marked on the label. The "24 percent" refers to the amount of flavone glycoside, the primary active ingredient in ginkgo, that the supplement contains. "Standardized" means that the amount of flavone glycosides was verified against an approved laboratory measure. Nonstandardized supplements can vary greatly in potency. With these products, you never know just how much of ginkgo's active ingredient you're getting. You may be getting a therapeutic dose, or you may not. My advice: Use only standardized products. Steer clear of all nonstandardized products, whether liquid extracts, tinctures, freeze-dried supplements, or fresh leaves. The Right Dose For disease prevention and life extension, I suggest taking one or two 60-milligram capsules of 24 percent standardized ginkgo extract twice daily (for a total of 120 to 240 milligrams a day). To treat any of the conditions listed in "All Systems Go," increase your dosage to 180 to 360 milligrams daily. Ginkgo is amazingly well-tolerated by the body. Besides the fact that ginkgo has been safely used in Chinese traditional medicine for more than 5,000 years, extensive scientific studies have proven the herb to be completely nontoxic and free of side effects--even in dosages much larger than those I recommend here. And it has no known interactions with nutrients or drugs. Once you start taking ginkgo supplements, give them time to work. A trial period of at least three months is appropriate, especially if you're using the herb to treat a specific condition. For significant improvement, expect to wait six months or more. * |