Study: Ginkgo Improves Lives of Alzheimer's Patients & Caregivers
Brought to you from the NEEDS Wellness Team

A recent published study evaluated the effects of the herb, Ginkgo biloba, on a total of nearly 400 Alzheimer's and/or dementia patients. Half of the study group took 120 mg of Ginkgo and the other half took a placebo--both twice daily for 22 weeks. The researchers then measured the patients' cognitive state, daily functioning, and severity of neuro-psychiatric symptoms using various testing methods.

There was significant improvement in cognitive skills in patients taking the ginkgo, where those taking the placebo experienced cognitive decline. Sixty-one percent of the ginkgo users improved their level of daily living activities (i.e., hygiene, household chores) as compared to an improvement in only 15% of the patients in the placebo group. A larger number of patients in the ginkgo group also experienced a decrease in neuropsychiatric symptoms, including apathy, depression, and agitation/aggression as compared to the placebo group.

The resulting improvement of symptoms in the ginkgo group also benefited the patients' respective caregivers, who experienced a 35% decrease in distress levels. The caregivers of the patients in the placebo group, however, experienced a slight increase in levels of stress.

The particular extract of ginkgo used in this study is called EGb 761, manufactured in Germany. Nature's Way is the exclusive distributor of this ginkgo extract under the brand name Ginkgold. Ginkgold is backed by over 35 years of extensive research, including over 400 published scientific and clinical studies.