Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract 50:1 Powder Review

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Ginkgo biloba leaf extract powder is a popular ingredient in dietary supplements used to enhance focus, memory, mood, and energy, and protect from age-related cognitive decline.

Ginkgo powder is produced from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree – a living fossil which has grown on Earth for more than 300 million years. Historical use of Ginkgo dates back thousands of years in China, where it was used as a general tonic for energy and brain function.

The leaves of this tree have been found to contain a number of beneficial phytonutrients. It is a source of flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants that can protect blood vessels, nerves, our eyes and other cells in the body from oxidative damage.

Ginkgo biloba leaf powder also contains terpenoids, including ginkgolides, which have a vasodilatory effect and increase blood flow throughout the body. These compounds also reduce the ability of platelets in the blood to aggregate, which could have benefits for heart health.

Ginkgo Biloba

Herbal Supplement

Memory Recall

Cognitive Function

Concentra- tion

How It Works:

• Supports short & long-term memory
• Improves concentration & circulation to brain
• Neuroprotective & anti-oxidant

Dosage:

Between 120 - 360 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Why Use Ginkgo biloba Extract?

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract remains one of the top 10 most researched herbs for improved health, along with ginseng and garlic.

According to research, Ginkgo has been used for the following conditions:

• Vertigo
• Tinnitus
• Memory Impairment
• Cognitive Dysfunction
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dementia
• Neurological disorders
• Circulatory problems
• Raynaud’s disease
• Edema

Ginkgo powder is used generally as a nerve tonic to enhance metabolism in the body and promote cognitive function. By increasing blood flow to the brain, it can increase the amount of oxygen and glucose burned for energy within neurons.

This can have positive implications for mental performance, specifically related to working memory, reasoning, concentration, and combating the negative effects of stress. In research studies, it has been found to boost short-term memory recall and attenuate symptoms of cognitive decline.

Clinical research shows supplementing with Ginkgo biloba leaf extract powder can improve learning, memory, and reasoning in patients with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It may make daily activities easier for these patients, as well as improve mood and social behaviour.

Research shows it can also have a positive effect on memory and cognition in young individuals who have not been diagnosed with any form of cognitive dysfunction. It may also have benefits for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, helping to reduce episodes of hyperactivity while improving behavior control.

Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extract for Eye Heath

A growing area of interest for Ginkgo use is to support vision and eye health. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most prevalent cause of blindness in the US. 2.07 million Americans suffer from AMD.Research suggests that Ginkgo leaf powder can improve the health of the eyes and retina by protecting them from oxidative damage.

Ginkgo may work by increasing blood circulation to these organs and improving the health of the nerves and capillaries connected to the eyes. Ginkgo has been shown to preserve vision in patients with AMD as well as to improve vision in people with Glaucoma. Benefits were reported when taking 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract daily for 8 weeks.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Ginkgo biloba leaf extract powder as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of anxiety, cognitive function, dementia, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, premenstrual syndrome, schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, and vertigo.

Research on Ginkgo is very promising, however more research is still needed. At this time in the USA, Ginkgo biloba is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Ginkgo biloba as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

How to Use Ginkgo Powder Extract

Bulk Ginkgo biloba extract powder can be purchased online in quantities ranging from 100 grams to 5 kg. The cost of the bulk powder is significantly lower than the comparable cost of capsules or tablets, however the powder may be less convenient to take.

Ginkgo leaf extract powder can be mixed into drinks or prepared into a tea. There are some negative user reviews regarding the taste of the product, but this can be masked by mixing Ginkgo with other herbal extracts or flavoring agents.

The recommended dosage of Ginkgo is 80 – 240 mg per day, taken with food. Dosages can be consumed all at once or split into two or three equal doses per day. This is a general dosage guideline only, and your personal dosage may differ. Speak to you doctor to determine the best dosage for your needs.

Reviewing Ginkgo biloba Products

Ginkgo biloba leaves are harvested from trees that grow to the size of shrubs. In the US, leaves are picked when they are still green and the harvesting season usually starts mid-July.

On large plantations the harvesting is done by machine, but in some countries, like China, leaves are still hand-picked. The leaves have to be dried within 12 hours of picking. After drying the leaves are processed which can take up to 2 weeks.

When purchasing a Ginkgo extract, it is important to ensure that the source of the extract is from the leaves of the plant and not the seeds. Ginkgo biloba seeds contains ginkgotoxin, an agent that can cause neurotoxicity and seizures in high dosages. Almost all Ginkgo supplements nowadays are made from leaf sources, however it is always prudent to check any supplements you are considering.

Two proprietary brands of Ginkgo leaf extract have received most of the research attention. These are EGb761 and LI 1370. These are both standardized extracts, containing between 22–27% of flavone glycosides and 5–7% of terpene lactones. Standardized extracts should also contain 2.8–3.4% of ginkgolide A, B, and C, and 2.6–3.2% of bilobalide.

Not all products that are sold as Ginkgo biloba supplements may contain the same extract potency. Most important, many products are not subjected to the degree of quality control mandated by international regulatory agencies, such as the US FDA.

Some Gingko biloba leaf extract powders may contain higher levels of ginkgolic acid than is allowed in many countries. In Europe the maximum level of ginkgolic acid is 5 parts per million (PPM).

A number of products have been analyzed and found to contain much higher levels. In the US it is not a requirement for product labeling to include the level of ginkgolic acid.

For this reason, it is recommended to seek out Ginkgo biloba leaf extract powder suppliers that provide a Certificate of Authenticity, showing test results for their product and identifying the levels of active compounds.

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