It cannot be concluded that ginkgo treats Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, but it might help in some cases. Overall, it’s too soon to definitively state or refute ginkgo’s role in treating dementia, but recent research is beginning to make this piece clearer. These positive results could be related to the role that ginkgo may play in improving blood flow to the brain, especially as it relates to vascular types of dementia. Some studies show a marked reduction in the rate of cognitive decline in people with dementia using ginkgo, but others fail to replicate this result.įor example, one review of 21 studies revealed that when used in conjunction with conventional medicine, ginkgo extract may increase functional capabilities in those with mild Alzheimer’s ( 16).Īnother review evaluated four studies and found a significant reduction in a spectrum of symptoms associated with dementia when ginkgo was used for 22–24 weeks ( 17). Overall, research results are inconsistent in this area. Ginkgo has been repeatedly evaluated for its ability to reduce anxiety, stress, and other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline linked to aging. Reduces symptoms of psychiatric disorders and dementia This may have applications for the treatment of diseases related to poor circulation.Ĥ. Ginkgo can increase blood flow by promoting the dilation of blood vessels. More research is needed to fully understand how ginkgo affects circulation and heart and brain health. There are multiple potential explanations for this, one of which may be the anti-inflammatory compounds present in the plant ( 13, 14, 15). Similarly, another 2008 study showed the same effect in older adults who were treated with ginkgo extract ( 12).Īdditional research also points to ginkgo’s protective effects on heart health, brain health, and stroke prevention. This was attributed to a 12% increase in levels of circulating nitric oxide, a compound responsible for dilating blood vessels ( 11). One older study in people with heart disease who supplemented with ginkgo revealed an immediate increase in blood flow to multiple parts of the body. Ginkgo’s apparent ability to increase blood flow to various parts of the body may be the origin of many of its supposed benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo seeds were used to open “channels” of energy to different organ systems, including the kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs. This may be one of the reasons it has such broad health applications. Ginkgo has the ability to reduce inflammation caused by various conditions.

While this data is encouraging, human studies are needed before drawing concrete conclusions about ginkgo’s role in treating these complex diseases.

Some specific conditions in which ginkgo extract has shown to reduce inflammation include ( 8, 9, 10): Years of animal and test-tube research shows that ginkgo extract can reduce markers of inflammation in both human and animal cells in a variety of disease states ( 2, 6, 7).

Over time, this excessive inflammation can cause permanent damage to the body’s tissues and DNA ( 5). Some chronic diseases trigger an inflammatory response even when there is no illness or injury present. In the inflammatory response, various components of the immune system are recruited to fight against the foreign invader or heal the injured area. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to injury or invasion by a foreign substance.

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