Back in September, I reviewed the evidence (or lack thereof) supporting claims of benefits from nutraceuticals in cognitive dysfunction. One of the more popular ingredients in many of the products sold with such claims is Ginkgo biloba, and at the time of my earlier review I concluded:
“The clinical trial evidence in humans does not support a beneficial effect for cognitive impairment or dementia, as summarized in a Cochrane review…”
This month, a new study of ginkgo biloba for prevention of cognitive decline in humans has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It is a large, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled prospective clinical trial, and thus represents a very high level of evidence. It concludes quite clearly.\
“Compared with placebo, the use of G biloba, 120 mg twice daily, did not result in less cognitive decline in older adults with normal cognition or with mild cognitive impairment.”
Another nail in the coffin for this particular wonder-herb.
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