Yet another study on cognitive decline in older adults – this time published in the Journal of the American Medical Association – has shown that Ginkgo biloba is not what it’s cracked up to be – despite its enormous popularity.
This study is the largest-scale clinical trial ever conducted, assessing over 3000 adults, aged 72-96.
The participants received a twice-daily dose of 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba or placebo (a fake pill). Over the 6-year follow-up period, the rate of decline of cognitive function, as assessed by standard cognitive and neurological function exams, was measured. Overall, there was no difference in the rate of cognitive decline between participants receiving Ginkgo biloba or placebo.
Any number of other studies give us the same message. To date, there are no large-scale studies demonstrating that Ginkgo biloba has much of an effect on anything – for any age group. Most studies that do report benefits of Ginkgo biloba therapy are not comprehensive and are based on limited samples that are susceptible to invalid conclusions.
Despite this, Ginkgo biloba sales are in the hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide every year. Consumers might ask “Why?” after the current study.
It is natural to strive for maintaining and enhancing cognitive abilities as we age. But there is no evidence that Ginkgo biloba will help with this goal.
The most effective supplement for countering cognitive decline by a wide margin is creatine monohydrate. For more information on cognition and nutrition, look at this site.
References
Leistner, E., & Drewke, C. (2010). Ginkgo biloba and Ginkgotoxin. Journal of Natural Products, 73 (1), 86-92 DOI: 10.1021/np9005019
Snitz, B., O’Meara, E., Carlson, M., Arnold, A., Ives, D., Rapp, S., Saxton, J., Lopez, O., Dunn, L., Sink, K., DeKosky, S., & , . (2009). Ginkgo biloba for Preventing Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Randomized Trial JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 302 (24), 2663-2670 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2009.1913
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