Controlled Study Finds No Benefit to Ginkgo Biloba
A controlled study of older people who took ginkgo biloba found no evidence of any improvement in cognitive function. Advocates of the drug claim it improves memory and other cognitive abilities.
The study, conducted by researchers at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., took 230 people between 60 and 82 years old. Half received 40 milligrams of ginkgo biloba three times per day for six weeks, while the other half received a placebo.
After six weeks, researchers subjected participants to tests to gauge their memory, attention, concentration and other skills. No difference was found in performance between individuals taking gingko and those taking the placebo.
“When taken following the manufacturer’s instructions,” the researchers concluded, “gingko provides no measurable benefit in memory or related cognitive function.”
Sources:
New study a blow to ginkgo’s reputation. Gina Greene, CNN, August 20, 2002.
Ginkgo ‘does not improve memory’. The BBC, August 20, 2002.
Tags: Miscellaneous Alternative Medicine