| |
| |
|
Supplements Information |
|
Should You Take Gingko Biloba to Improve Your Brain Power?
Have you heard of the herbal supplement with the very odd name of gingko biloba? In the last few years, gingko biloba has become one of the most heavily advertised herbal products in health food stores and magazines. It seems that gingko is being advertised everywhere, as a new miracle cure for many common ailments. Gingko is reputed to improve thinking, stave off Alzheimer's disease, preserve memory, and reverse memory loss. Proponents of gingko say that studies show it improves memory and concentration, and can delay senility. This herbal supplement is made from an extract of the leaf of the gingko tree, one of an ancient family of trees. The leaf extract is filled with many organic compounds that are believed to be particularly beneficial to the cells of the brain. Even though the use of gingko to boost memory is relatively new in North America, it has been commonly prescribed for this purpose in Europe for decades. In China, the use of gingko goes back even further - over 5,000 years! So you see, gingko is not really new at all. In fact, it is one of the most widely prescribed herbal supplements in the world! Here are some of the beneficial effects that have been attributed to gingko: -It increases the supply of blood to the brain -It neutralizes several kinds of dangerous free radicals that damage brain cells -It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent -It increases neurotransmiter activity -It increases sugar metabolism in the brain -It increases alpha brain waves associated with mental alertness -It works as a anti-oxidant to protect the brain Gingko contains many organic compounds, including flavonoids and terpenoids, which are probably the source of its reputed brain boosting powers. Millions of people around the world take gingko to boost their memory. Does it work? Is it safe? Hundreds of studies of the effects of gingko have been published in the last two decades. Many of these studies suggest gingko is an effective and safe remedy for age related confusion and memory loss. For most people, gingko seems to be very safe. In Europe, it is one of the most commonly prescribed medications, and there are very few problems known to be associated with it, even for long term use. If you do decide to take gingko, don't expect any sudden, dramatic changes. The effects of gingko biloba can take weeks or even months, to become noticeable, and not all people experience an improvement. As many as 50 per cent of the people who take a standardized dose of gingko do not notice any improvements whatsoever. People who take gingko may claim to feel somewhat more alert, and somewhat better able to concentrate. In some cases, the improvements are often so minor that they are barely noticeable. The amount of memory improvement claimed for gingko often tends to be rather small, usually only a few percentage points - about the same improvement you might get after drinking a cup of coffee! Unfortunately, despite the fact that gingko has been the subject of hundreds of scientific studies, many of these studies were not very well conducted from a scientific point of view. Many of the studies of gingko were small and rather short term, and were often conducted by family doctors who were not trained in rigorous scientific research techniques. This means that even though many studies have claimed wonderful positive results for gingko biloba, the scientific proof may not be very accurate or reliable. If you decide to take gingko as a supplement, be sure to deal only with a very high quality brand from a reliable manufacturer. Most studies have used a dose of 120 milligrams per day, and this should be sufficient. If you are younger than fifty years old, there is no proof that taking gingko will reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer's disease. As with all herbal remedies, there is a wide variation in the quality and quality of the actual active ingredients of the herb in question. Some studies have found that even brands with fairly good reputations do not always have the levels of active ingredients of gingko that they claim. And sometimes, bargain brands may have none of the active ingredients at all. Get a brand of gingko that you trust to have a standardized level of active ingredients. Be prepared to take it for several months before you notice a difference. Keep in mind that some people never notice a difference at all. And others claim to notice dramatic improvements right away! Side effects with gingko are rarely reported. The main precaution you must take is to check with your doctor if you are already taking blood thinning medication such as Coumadin, or an anti-depressant such as Trazadone. It is possible that in some cases Gingko may interact with certain medications and cause problems. Before you take gingko, check with your doctor to be sure that you are not taking any medications that could conflict with the herb. Royane Real is the author of the new book "How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better, and Be More Creative" If you want to learn how to improve your brain power, download it today at http://www.royanereal.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Supplements - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Importance of Vitamin Supplementation Vitamin supplement - why is it important?Vitamin supplement or supplements are very important for us because if we do not intake enough vitamins necessary for our bodies, the vitamin supplement will substitute for the shortage of the amount of vitamins in our system. Many times a good diet will be enough, but when it is not, the vitamin supplement will make sure that you intake enough vitamins for you to be healthy. Vitamins for Smokers Numerous studies and surveys have consistently shown that a majority of adults frequently eat foods that contain too little vitamin B-6 and vitamin E. We consume far too many calories, and too much total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Using Weight Loss Supplements To Reach Your Weight Loss Goals Supplement is a word defined by Webster as such: Something added to complete a thing or to make up for a deficiency. Even so; some weight loss supplement companies market their products as magic pills and some consumers think of them as such. Getting In-Zinc As with most nutrients and minerals, zinc is often ignored by the average person however, it is an essential mineral that plays many roles in promoting the healthy functioning of the body. Its importance to the body's well-being goes far back as the earliest moments of growth and development and is serves a highly important role in maintaining a healthy way of life. Can Vitamin E Cure Almost Everything? Vitamin E is an absolutely vital nutrient in your body, but it probably can't do half the things you heard it can.What does vitamin E do? To begin, it is an antioxidant. Vitamin C Is Useless In Fighting The Common Cold And Could Be Dangerous For Smokers Those who start eating lemons at first symptoms of the common cold should slow down. According to a recent study, Vitamin C does nothing to prevent the common cold. Keeping Tabs on Niacin Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse known as the Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B3 is also called niacin, nicotinic acid and niacinamide and serves many vital purposes in the proper functioning of the body and the mind. Pulling The Roots Of Disease "Anybody who tells you that disease has only one cause, and that drugs and surgery are the solution, is DEAD WRONG." Dr. Bodybuilding Supplements May Not Be Necessary To supplement or not to supplement - that is the question on more bodybuilder's lips than ever before. Are they safe? What works and what doesn't?Lets have a look at the basics. If You Want to Enjoy Optimum Good Health A Multivitamin Can Help It's never too late to change your habits, and if you are not in the habit of taking a multivitamin supplement regularly, it's time you did. Altering your behavior in this one respect will greatly improve your chances of living a long and healthy life. Do You Need Vitamins On A Low Carb Diet? Should I Take Vitamins With My Low Carb Diet?Most low carb diets advocate that users reduce consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. While this may lead to considerable weight-loss, it will most definitely lead to a reduction in necessary stores of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. Is Ephedra a Miracle Cure? Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse the ban on ephedra and ephedrine supplements in the United States. Known as the "world's oldest medicine," ephedra has been used for thousands of years for its variety of healing properties. Vitamins In Our Daily Lives Vitamins is something people been using for a while and it is more common this days. Is it good to use them or not? Many people say it is good since we live in a fast pace world, we live in a hurry and don't have time to site down and relax and have a nice healthy meal, for breakfast maybe a cup of coffee and off to work if you have some time, for lunch fast food convenient, fast, not expensive good right. Do You Need Glyconutrients? With all of the exciting things people are seeing in their lives as a result of adding glyconutrients to their diet, the question has been raised "Are glyconutrients a miracle cure or are the results people have seen a placebo effect?"The answer is: NEITHER!If you haven't heard the term "Placebo Effect", this is a nice way of saying "It was all in your head." This can refer to either the disease itself or the "cure. Megadosing If you're constantly digging your hand into a jar of vitamins, popping one into your mouth faster than you can chew the last one, then take this word of advice.Take a chill pill. GlutImmune: Powder for Immunity and Digestion GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine. Glutamine is an amino acid that allows for improved immune system and brain function, balanced blood sugar levels, digestive tract health, and increased muscle mass. Is Vitamin E Lethal? Recently the news carried the story that a researcher had discovered that taking vitamin E at a level of 400IU or more increases the risk of death. (Jan 2005, Annals of Internal Medicine) I was immediately suspicious because I have studied the scientific literature on vitamin E for over two decades and have come to the exact opposite conclusion. B Vitamin Hype: With Ambitions of Fighting Acne, Rosacea and Tumors, What Can This Vitamin Really Do Vitamin B is no small time player in the high stakes game of the beauty. Just take the case of pellagra for example. Vitamin A and C: How They Affect The Skin Benefits of using Vitamin A products:Retinol is pure and active Vitamin A. Vitamin A is one of the few substances with a small enough molecular structure to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and work to repair AND stimulate the lower layers of the skin where collagen and elastin reside creating firmer smoother skin. Folate (Folic Acid) - A Health Supplement You probably know that ladies who are planning on having a family, should take Folate (Folic Acid) in their diet, or as a supplementary, because it is one of the well known B-Vitamin group, that has a role in preventing Spina Bifida in babies, but did you know that research is finding that it helps in a number of other problems as well.There is definitely a link between folate and depression, people with depression may have lower than normal blood folate levels.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
