Ginkgo Biloba

[Proprius]

What's the word on Ginkgo Biloba? Does it improve memory in "normal" people. (As far as I can tell from googling, there are conflicting results.) Does it improve the memory of people with dementia or Alzheimer's? (As far as I can tell, yes.)

[Doug]

What's the word on Ginkgo Biloba? Does it improve memory in "normal" people.

DOUG
I don't remember. Here, let me take my ginko.

Oh, here it is: no.

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ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2008) — Taking the supplement ginkgo biloba had no clear-cut benefit on the risk of developing memory problems, according to a new study.

The three-year study involved 118 people age 85 and older with no memory problems. Half of the participants took ginkgo biloba extract three times a day and half took a placebo. During the study, 21 people developed mild memory problems, or questionable dementia: 14 of those took the placebo and seven took the ginkgo extract. Although there was a trend favoring ginkgo, the difference between those who took gingko versus the placebo was not statistically significant.

See here.

[Dardedar]

What's the word on Ginkgo Biloba? Does it improve memory in "normal" people.

DAR
Now there's a fair question! As long as it isn't a homeopathic, diluted into nonexistence remedy, I think there is some potential here.

As I remember, it thins the blood a bit and this could have all sorts of different results (good and bad) in different people.

I just read the wiki blurb on this and it looks like studies are all over with nothing really confirming. At least they are testing some actual material. Ahh, it is so refreshing to be talking about the consumption of a potential remedy that, when you take it, there is actually some of the product in the bottle.

D.

[Jae Baeli]

Well let me just say that when i don't take my ginkgo biloba, i can tell the cognitive difference. I tested this many times, as i do with most things that require proof. The first time, i simply ran out and didn't think about it much until my brain just stopped functioning in high gear. I wondered about it, and when my new bottle came in, I took it and two days later, i was back up to par. Now, let me say, I'm really TOUGH about the placebo effect in me. I don't believe anything will work until i see proof. And the best proof is what happens to ME. I think it really does work. My understanding is it's more about GB increasing the amount of oxygen in the brain. If this is so, it's not so mysterious. More oxygen, means better brain functioning.

I did this with those Japanese detox foot pads recently. Tried them. First morning after, pulled them off and lo and behold! they were dirty. Most people would be converted right then. But i didn't feel different, like they said i would. Did this for about five days. No difference, still dirty pads, though. Then i read the material on them again and there was mention of how toxins came out in sweat, and that's what caused them to turn colors. So on a whim, i took a fresh pad and held it in the steam of the shower and guess what? they turned dark just as if they were on my feet. Case closed. I did a review on them, wrote to the company and told them i thought their product was bogus, and why. They were gracious enough to give me a refund, while still firmly believing in their product.

[Dardedar]

Now, let me say, I'm really TOUGH about the placebo effect in me. I don't believe anything will work until i see proof. And the best proof is what happens to ME. I think it really does work.

DAR
Well, to really know you aren't tricking yourself with any placebo effect and to know what really is happening to YOU, you would need to do your tests blinded. It's hard to grasp just how suggestible we are and how tricky the Placebo effect is. This is why such an extensive effort is made to account for it.

D.

[tmiller51]

I did this with those Japanese detox foot pads recently. Tried them. First morning after, pulled them off and lo and behold! they were dirty. Most people would be converted right then. But i didn't feel different, like they said i would. Did this for about five days. No difference, still dirty pads, though. Then i read the material on them again and there was mention of how toxins came out in sweat, and that's what caused them to turn colors. So on a whim, i took a fresh pad and held it in the steam of the shower and guess what? they turned dark just as if they were on my feet.

Brian Dunning did a piece on detoxification products including foot pads. Apparently they contain powdered wood vinegar which turns brown when exposed to moisture. Skeptoid Link

Tim