Ginkgo plays no role in slowing mental decline: Study

 

Since ages it has been believed that long term use of ginkgo bibola, actually helps to slow down mental deterioration in old people. Ginkgo is one of the best selling herbal supplements in the US, used for a large number of ailments especially those related to the circulatory system, as well as the central nervous system.

 

It is a traditional Chinese medication and has been promoted as one which benefits dementia patients. The actual usefulness of this supplement as a memory booster has long been debated until the recent study, which stamped its ineffectiveness as one.

 

The research was conducted over 3,000 older adults some of whom had normal mental functioning while others had mild cognitive impairment. Some of the participants were given 120-mg doses of Ginkgo extract two times a day and others were given placebos. 

 

The study which went on for six years observed these people closely and found no evidence of ginkgo actually having a positive effect on the patients. They did not find any positive changes in the mental functioning of the patients and could not see any effect of the supplement in boosting their memory.

 

The study also found that patients who were specifically suffering from mental decline due to reasons such as normal ageing, or symptoms of pre-Alzheimer's disease also did not show any improvement in their condition.

 

Previously also the research group had conducted similar studies and had established the ineffective of the supplement for dementia patients as it could not reduce the incidence of dementia in these patients.