Evidence supporting the use of: Ginkgo biloba
For the health condition: Alzheimer's Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most widely used herbal supplements for cognitive health, including the support and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Its use for memory and mental clarity is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine; however, there has also been scientific investigation into its potential benefits for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Ginkgo biloba contains several active compounds, including flavonoids and terpenoids, which are thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties could theoretically protect nerve cells from damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinical studies and systematic reviews have produced mixed results. Some randomized controlled trials have found that standardized ginkgo extracts (such as EGb 761) may have a small, beneficial effect on cognitive function and activities of daily living in people with mild to moderate dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. However, other well-designed studies, such as the large Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, found no significant benefit for prevention or treatment of dementia compared to placebo. Meta-analyses suggest that if there is a benefit, it is modest at best.
Overall, while there is scientific interest and some supportive evidence, the effects are not consistently strong or clinically significant. Ginkgo is generally considered safe for most people, but it can interact with medications and may increase bleeding risk. Thus, while it is used with some scientific basis, the quality of the supporting evidence is moderate to low, justifying a rating of 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Alzheimer's Disease
2-(carbamimidoyl-methyl-amino) ethoxyphosphonic acid7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acacetin
Acai berry
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetylcholine
Agmatine
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
amentoflavone
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
aniracetam
anserine
anthocyanins
apigenin
apocynin
Aronia melanocarpa
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragaloside
avocado
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
Basidiomycota
benfotiamine
berberine
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium longum
bilobalide
black garlic
black seed
black tea
blueberry
brahmi
broccoli
butylphthalide
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
C-phycocyanin
caffeic Acid
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
caprylic acid
carnosic acid
Carnosine
caryophyllene
catalpol
catechins
centrophenoxine
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
cistanche
citicoline
cocoa
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Convolvulus prostratus
creatine
crocetin
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cyanidin
cyclodextrin
cytidine
d-alpha tocopherol
decursin
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrolipoic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
Ecklonia
eicosapentaenoic acid
ellagic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
estrogen
fatty acids
ferulic acid
fisetin
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavanols
flavanones
flavans
flavones
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fo-ti
fungus
galantamine
gallate
gallic acid
gamma tocopherol
ganoderma
garcinol
gastrodia
gastrodin
genistein
ginkgetin
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo flavone glycoside
ginkgoheteroside
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glucoraphanin
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
grape
green tea
Gypenoside
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
Hericenones
hericium mushroom
hesperetin
hesperidin
Homotaurine
Honokiol
huperzine A
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
icariin
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
isovitexin
Kaempferol
ketone salts
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-serine
L-theanine
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
lutein
luteolin
Lycium
lycopene
magnesium
magnolol
malvidin
mangiferin
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
Methoxylated flavones
Methylcobalamin
Monoterpenes
Monounsaturated fat
Morus
Mulberroside A
Mulberry
Myricetin
Myricitrin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
NADH
Naringenin
Naringin
Nervonic acid
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
Norvaline
Oleuropein
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
oyster mushroom
paeoniflorin
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Peptides
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
Phycocyanin
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogens
Piperine
Polydatin
Polygala
polygala root
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
pregnenolone
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
S-allylcysteine
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sarcosine
Schisandrins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
selenium
Selenocysteine
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Soy
soy isoflavones
Stilbenoid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Syringic acid
Tangeretin
Taurine
Taxifolin
terpene lactones
Terpenoids
Theaflavin
Tinospora cordifolia
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
Trehalose
Tremella
tributyrin
Triterpenes
Tumerone
turmeric
Turmerones
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Uridine
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Walnut
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by ginkgo biloba
Aging (prevention)Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arteriosclerosis
Asthma
Attention Deficit Disorder
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Dementia
Depression
Hearing Loss
Ménière’s Disease
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Raynaud's Disease
Schizophrenia
Senility
Strokes
Tinnitus
Products containing ginkgo biloba
Nature's Sunshine AdaptaMax
Nature's Sunshine Brain Protex (With Huperzine A)
Nature's Sunshine Circulatory System
Nature's Sunshine Focus Attention
Nature's Sunshine Ginkgo Biloba Extract (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Ginkgo & Hawthorn Combination
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Melatonin Extra
Nature's Sunshine Mind-Max
Nature's Sunshine Mineral-Chi Tonic (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine SUMA (Combination)
