[Effects of Ginkgo Leaf Extract] 3 Benefits of Ginkgo Leaf Extract for Vascular Health and Memory

Dec 03, 2023KimSunhyo

[Effects of Ginkgo Leaf Extract] 3 Benefits of Ginkgo Leaf Extract for Vascular Health and Memory

Ginkgo Leaf Extract

Ginkgo Leaf Extract, a Blood Circulation Nutritional Supplement

This content is health information about ingredients and not directly related to a specific product.

Effects of Green Coffee Bean

1. Blood vessel dilation
2. Improves blood viscosity in diabetic patients
3. Enhances cognitive functions such as memory and concentration

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

Are there people who experience cold and itchy hands and feet even when the weather is not cold? This condition is known as acrocyanosis and is one of the symptoms that occur when blood circulation to peripheral areas like hands and feet is not functioning properly.

Blood flows through a dense network of blood vessels throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to various tissues and removing waste products. As a result, organs in the body, including the brain and heart, lose their function if blood circulation is impaired, even for just a few minutes.

Today, I would like to introduce a substance called "ginkgo leaf extract," which is known as a blood circulation nutritional supplement. Ginkgo leaves contain a compound called "flavonols." When consumed, this compound has been proven to offer various benefits and is a very promising physiological active substance.

So, let's explore how ginkgo leaf extract can assist with blood circulation through research papers.

1. Blood Vessel Dilation

When blood vessels narrow, become blocked, or when blood becomes sticky, it can lead to difficulties in blood circulation.

Leaving blood circulation problems untreated for an extended period increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as angina or vascular dementia. Therefore, to treat cardiovascular diseases, stents are inserted into blood vessels to widen them, or medications are prescribed to thin the blood.

I'd like to introduce a human clinical trial conducted in South Korea in 1999 regarding the vasodilating effect of ginkgo leaf extract. In this study, 32 patients diagnosed with angina were given 160mg of ginkgo leaf extract daily for one month. After one month of consumption, significant improvements in vascular dilation and endothelial cell function were observed.

"After one month of consumption, significant vascular dilation was observed. (Omitted text) Endothelial cell function in angina patients with diabetes was not observed to improve after 2 hours of GBE (ginkgo leaf extract) consumption, but it significantly improved after one month."

Reference : Bae, Jang-Ho, Kim, Ki-Sik, Lee, In-Kyu, Kim, Ye-Hee, Kim, Min-Soo, Kim, Ki-Young, ... & Jung, Si-Jeon. (1999). Short- and long-term effects of ginkgo leaf extract on endothelial cell function in patients with angina. Korean Circulation Journal, 29(9), 919-927.

2. Improves Blood Viscosity in Diabetic Patients

As mentioned earlier, high blood viscosity is also a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Just as honey is thicker than plain water, when blood contains an excess of glucose, it becomes thicker. Therefore, individuals with high blood glucose levels, such as "diabetic patients," become more vulnerable to various vascular diseases.

One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. It's a disease in which blood vessels in the eyes become damaged, leading to vision impairment and, in severe cases, even blindness. If you are concerned about vascular complications due to diabetes, you might want to pay attention to a human clinical trial published in Clinical Nutrition in 2004.

In this study, 25 patients who had both diabetes and diabetic retinopathy were given 240mg of ginkgo leaf extract daily for three months. Not only did blood viscosity improve, but there were also significant improvements in the following aspects.

"In this preliminary clinical study, 3 months of oral administration of Egb 761 (ginkgo leaf extract) improved blood viscosity and elasticity, which can promote blood flow. Furthermore, it effectively improved retinal microvascular blood flow velocity in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy."

Reference : Huang, S. Y., Jeng, C., Kao, S. C., Yu, J. J., & Liu, D. Z. (2004). Improved haemorrheological properties by Ginkgo biloba extract (Egb 761) in type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with retinopathy. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 23(4), 615–621.

3. Enhances Cognitive Functions Such as Memory and Concentration

Memory loss can be a significant concern for many women in their 50s. Memory issues are closely related to menopause in women. As women transition into menopause, the secretion of the female hormone estrogen decreases. This reduction in female hormones leads to changes in the functioning of various neurotransmitters, which can result in cognitive decline and memory problems.

Ginkgo leaf extract can provide assistance to those concerned about menopausal memory loss and cognitive decline.

In a clinical trial published in the SCI-grade journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, postmenopausal women aged 53 to 65 were given 120mg of ginkgo leaf extract daily for just one week. The results indicated a positive impact on cognitive functions, including memory and concentration.

"The group treated with ginkgo tree extract showed significantly better results than the placebo group in cognitive tests, including the rule shift test for frontal lobe function and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), which measures sustained attention and also involves frontal lobe function."

Reference : Hartley, D. E., Heinze, L., Elsabagh, S., & File, S. E. (2003). Effects on cognition and mood in postmenopausal women of 1-week treatment with Ginkgo biloba. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 75(3), 711–720..

Today, we explored the circulatory supplement, ginkgo leaf extract. As seen in the research, ginkgo leaf extract is a suitable component for those concerned about poor blood circulation and vascular health since it helps expand blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity.

However, it's important for patients before and after surgery or those already taking anticoagulants and similar medications to be cautious, as excessive reduction in viscosity of the blood can be risky.

Furthermore, improving your diet by reducing saturated fat and sodium intake is crucial for vascular health. For those who smoke, quitting smoking is the most urgent step to take.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.

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