Originally published September 8 2005
Ginkgo biloba may benefit MS patients
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Ginkgo biloba may help improve cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis, a small study at the Oregon Health and Science University shows.
Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) enrolled nearly 40 MS patients for their pilot study to test the efficacy of ginkgo versus a non-therapeutic placebo in helping the patients boost their cognitive function.
Twenty received 120 mg doses of gingko biloba twice per day, and the remaining 19 patients received a placebo.
The tests were given before treatment with ginkgo biloba began, and then again afterwards to compare the results.
Improvement on Tests Seen When the exams were given at the end of the study, the group that had been taking ginkgo was four seconds, or about 13%, faster than the group given a placebo on a timed color and word test that measures attention and such functions as planning, decision-making, and controlling goal-directed behavior and execution of certain actions.
The patents are asked to name the word, and then describe the type of ink used for each word.
To confirm the possible benefit of the supplement "we would like to do another study in which we choose patients that are impaired in this particular test," explained Jesus Lovera, MD, a research fellow and instructor in Neurology at OHSU who participated in this study.
Its leaves contain several substances known as ginkgolides.
According to experts, ginkgo reduces the clotting tendency of blood, and opens blood vessels, while reducing inflammation.
Still, the research on its effectiveness for cognitive function has been controversial.
The only side effect that's been reported is mild digestive upset, though experts urge that its use be supervised by a physician.
According to the investigators in this study, a survey of nearly 2,000 patients in Oregon found that ginkgo was beneficial for 40 percent of the patients who took part.
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