Ginko Biloba

[goldenboy]

Would it be ok to take Ginko Biloba when weight lifting? I was plaining on taking it to help my mental alertness and it claims it does this increasing the blood flow to the brain. But it also claims to increase the blood flow to the legs and arms. Is this ok when weight lifting, should I have cancerns? Just looking for some input.

[Adam Knowlden]

I take this supplement on a daily basis.
Regarding mental alertness, I find it to be a quality supplement. However, ample rest and sleep are needed to see its full potency. You won't "feel" different, but you will notice you can recall information faster, and retain information easier.

[AJT]

where can I find more information about this supplement?

[bsimpson]

ya what is that i have never heard of it

[malsI]

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where can I find more information about this supplement?

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http://www.google.com

[AJT]

A lot of sites on google aren't credible.

[sucramdw]

http://www.kcweb.com/herb/Ginko.htm

Main points from site:

Ginkgo is gaining recognition as a brain tonic that enhances memory because of its positive effects on the vascular system, especially in the cerebellum.

Ginkgo may help to counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy.

Ginkgo works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body's network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organ systems. It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which uses 20% of the body's oxygen.

Benefits of enhanced circulation in the brain include improved short and long term memory, increased reaction time and improved mental clarity. Ginkgo is often used to treat elderly persons with Alzheimer's and other symptoms of cerebral insufficiency. Cerebral insufficiency is a general term for a collection of symptoms that include difficulties of concentration and memory, absentmindedness, confusion, lack of energy, depressive mood, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache.

Ginkgo has been used to relieve tension and anxiety and improve mental alertness, elevate mood and restore energy.

Ginkgo also acts as a powerful antioxidant and contributes to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia. Antioxidants also protect the eyes, cardiovascular system and central nervous system.

Studies have confirmed that ginkgo increases blood flow to the retina, and can slow retinal deterioration resulting in an increase of visual acuity. In clinical tests ginkgo has improved hearing loss in the elderly. It also improves circulation in the extremities relieving cold hands and feet, swelling in the limbs and chronic arterial blockage.

Parts Used: Dried leaf.

Common Use: Ginkgo has been shown to be nutritional support for mental alertness, enhanced vitality level, circulatory health and blood vessel health. Its high antioxidant activity is valuable for fighting age related conditions. All over the world, people have claimed Ginkgo to be beneficial in the fight against the gradual erosion of energy associated with aging.

Care: The ginkgo tree thrives in full sun and average soil. It is very resistant to infection and pollution and can grow up to 120 feet. The small yellow fruit that falls from the female tree has a strong rancid odor.

[Ultra Man]

-Carini M, Aldini G, Rossoni G, Morazzoni P, Facino RM.

Istituto Chimico Farmaceutico Tossicologico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Marina.Carini@unimi.it

The aim of this work was to compare in the rat the cardioprotective efficacy and the total plasma antioxidant activity of a standardised Ginkgo biloba L. extract (GB) as such (300 mg/kg/day) or complexed with phosphatidylcholine (GB-PC; 1:2 w/w), after a 5 days oral administration. At the end of the treatment, the total plasma antioxidant defence was determined by the TRAP and FRAP assays, and the hearts from all groups of animals subjected to moderate ischemia (flow reduction to 1 ml/min for 20 min) and reperfusion (15 ml/min for 30 min). The recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) at the end of reperfusion was 35-40% of the preischemic values in both control and vehicle rats, 50.2% in the GB group and 72.5% in the GB-PC pre-treated animals. Creatine kinase (CK) outflow in the perfusate from the hearts of GB and GB-PC treated animals were restrained to a different extent vs. controls (by 71% GB-PC; by 22% GB); the rate of prostacyclin (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) release was far greater in GB-PC than in GB hearts. In parallel, the GB extract significantly increased the total antioxidant plasma capacity (by 24.5% TRAP; 27.9% FRAP) only when complexed with phospholipids. This indicates an increased bioavailability of phenolic antioxidants when suitably embedded within a lipophilic carrier. The results of this study demonstrate that complexation of Ginkgo biloba with phospholipids induces in the rat, even after a short treatment a greater resistance of the heart to ischemia/reperfusion damage in respect to the native extract, due to an increased plasma antioxidant activity.

PMID: 11458448 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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In parallel, the GB extract significantly increased the total antioxidant plasma capacity (by 24.5% TRAP; 27.9% FRAP) only when complexed with phospholipids. This indicates an increased bioavailability of phenolic antioxidants when suitably embedded within a lipophilic carrier.

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this study shows that in rats, plasma capacity for the phenol based antioxidents were increased, with the availability of phosolipids (fatty acids).

-Phenolic acids are common antioxidants, ubiquitous in fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains.

Croft KD: Antioxidant effects of plant phenolic compounds. In Basu TK, Temple NJ, Garg, ML (eds): ‘Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease.’ New York: CABI, pp 112–115, 1999.

i guess wine and berrys are very high in phenolic antioxidents too, i think it was coz who had some good infor about the benefits of berry and grape antioxidents.

perhaps you could add your wisdom coz?

[Oakleys]

Never heard about this until now.. really has me intrigued, I think I might give it a try! Thanks for all the information guys.

[Coz]

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i guess wine and berrys are very high in phenolic antioxidents too, i think it was coz who had some good infor about the benefits of berry and grape antioxidents.

perhaps you could add your wisdom coz?

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Ya, this was brought up with the discussion about the false belief that wine is beneficial due to it's antioxidants. The flavanoid antioxidant is called Quercetin which is found mostly in red grapes and it benefits us by reducing blood clotting. Drinking wine just negates benefits with alcohols own toxic properties.