Modern science has shown many discoveries that benefit human’s health. Have you ever wondered what was life back then when modernisation was not as vast as nowadays? They have to rely on what nature could offer and make the best out of it. This includes a plant known as the ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba is certainly not a novel ingredient used in many health supplements currently sold in the market such as the ginkgo tablets. In fact, it dates back thousands of years ago and poses many health benefits. Although, does ginkgo improve memory?
Before answering this, you may want to know more about the ginkgo first itself. Ginkgo biloba originated from China and is described as the oldest trees to ever exist on this earth, possessing fan-shaped leaves. Ginkgo is used as an ingredient in ancient traditional Chinese medicine and in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as it provides many health benefits. Such medicine was used to treat skin infections, intestinal tract worms and cough. Ginkgo biloba up until now has often been researched on to fully unlock its maximum potential.
Parts of the ginkgo biloba used for supplements are the leaves and seeds. These parts are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fat and phytochemicals. All of these nutrients make ginkgo a food and not merely a supplement. Aside from these nutrients, it also has flavonoids and terpenoids which are antioxidants and helps in skin regeneration. Such nutrients also are said to improve blood circulation and act as a brain protective factor. There are several processes needed to turn ginkgo biloba into a capsule. This involves the process of extraction of the ginkgo while it is still fresh or extraction from freeze-dried leaves and eventually the concentrated ginkgo biloba is packed into capsule form.
Back to the main focus, does ginkgo improve memory? Without a doubt, yes it does. Ginkgo functions to improve blood flow to the brain by expanding the blood vessels, making way for the blood containing oxygen and nutrients to reach many organs including the brain. Memory skills are part of the brain cognitive process. The brain cognitive lies in certain regions of the brain, specifically the hippocampus. When the blood flow to the brain is good, all of the brain regions are able to function well. Beside the improved blood flow, ginkgo as antioxidants help to protect the brain from injury such as from free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to the cells including the brain cells, causing the brain unable to work optimally.
Studies show that intake of ginkgo biloba helps to improve cognition performance significantly after 6 months of regular consumption of this ingredient. Long term ginkgo consumption helps to slow down ageing process of the brain. The ageing process is the culprit for many diseases in the elderly such as Alzheimer’s dementia which compromise the brain cognitive function in an old person. Although ginkgo supplements mainly aim to improve brain function, there are many other benefits such as improving cardiovascular health, eye health and mental health.
In essence, ginkgo does help improve memory. Other health benefits alongside the brain function makes ginkgo a good supplement to have especially in adults and older ones. It is important to take ginkgo at a safe dosage of 240 mg per day. Taking more than this dose on a daily basis may lead to dangerous side effects such as seizures, heart palpitations, headaches and allergic skin reactions. Patients undergoing blood thinning medications like warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel, are advised to not take ginkgo supplement as it may increase the likelihood of spontaneous organ bleeding. If you are concerned if ginkgo supplement is good for you, you are free to ask any healthcare professionals for advice and further information can be obtained by calling the company producing it.
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