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Ginkgo Doesn’t Delay Cognitive Decline

Ginkgo biloba has been a popular herb for its reputed ability to prevent cognitive decline. A year ago, a randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association did not show any benefit of ginkgo in warding off dementia.

Now, a new report on this study confirms that Ginkgo biloba does not prevent or delay cognitive decline in seniors. More than 3,000 volunteers participated in the study for an average of 6 years. The periodic tests of mental function throughout this well-designed study [Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory, GEM] did not show that ginkgo helped people stay sharp. The researchers were disappointed, but pointed out one positive finding: Ginkgo extracts appear to be safe even if they’re not effective.

[Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec 23/30, 2009]

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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