Some studies have found that ginkgo helps improve memory and thinking in young and middle-aged people who are healthy. And preliminary studies suggest it may be useful in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The dose that works best seems to be 240 mg per day.
Dosage and form
Ginkgo is available in capsule form, as tablets, liquid extracts, and dried leaf for teas. In studies, adults have used between 120 and 240 milligrams a day in divided doses. It appears to take 4 to 6 weeks before improvements are noticed.
Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement that helps increase the body's choline uptake and promote acetylcholine levels, which could make it beneficial in the battle against occasional brain fog due to lack of sleep, stress, dehydration, or other temporary situations.
Best Overall: Vitamin B, Omega-3s, or a Quality Multivitamin. Numerous studies have shown that brain function is directly related to nutritional status, especially for key nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Ginkgo is widely touted as a "brain herb." Some studies show that it does help improve memory in people with dementia. It is not as clear whether ginkgo helps memory in healthy people who have normal, age-related memory loss. Some studies have found slight benefits, while other studies have found no effect.
Regular exercise boosts the growth of brain cells and the production of neurotransmitters, enhancing memory. A mix of aerobic (cardio) and strength exercises is best. If you're not getting enough sleep, you might be harming your cognition and memory. Aim for seven to nine hours each night.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
Like vitamin D, vitamin B12 has so many mental benefits. Getting enough vitamin B12 may give you more energy, improve memory, and make learning new things easier. It also has been shown to help improve mood and lessen depressive symptoms.
For the best results, Ginkgo biloba should be taken in the morning. This is because we carry out most tasks and duties related to cognition during the day and the herb can then impart its benefits all day long. However, the best time for you will depend on what you're taking it for.
It can cause some minor side effects such as stomach upset, headache, dizziness, and allergic skin reactions. There is also some concern that ginkgo leaf extract might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding or cause arrhythmia. The ROASTED SEED or CRUDE GINKGO PLANT are possibly unsafe when taken by mouth.
Can ginkgo biloba harm your health? Ginkgo biloba supplementation is generally considered safe when taken in moderate amounts. Side effects of ginkgo can include headache, upset stomach, dizziness, allergic skin reactions, and heart palpitations. Ginkgo seeds should not be consumed, as they may be poisonous.
If you are older, have a bleeding disorder or are pregnant, don't take ginkgo. The supplement might increase your risk of bleeding.
Keep learning
Experts think that advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being mentally active. Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.
Introduction: The five-word test (5WT) is a serial verbal memory test with semantic cuing. It is proposed to rapidly evaluate memory of aging people and has previously shown its sensitivity and its specificity in identifying patients with AD.
Memory and other thinking problems have many possible causes, including depression, an infection, or medication side effects. Sometimes, the problem can be treated, and cognition improves. Other times, the problem is a brain disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease, which cannot be reversed.
In many cases, it may be reversible with treatment. For example, memory loss from medications may resolve with a change in medication. Nutritional supplements can be useful against memory loss caused by a nutritional deficiency. And treating depression may be helpful for memory when depression is a factor.
Ginkgo has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The leaves were used to treat brain and circulatory problems and respiratory conditions. Ginkgo nuts were used for cough, fever, diarrhea, toothaches, and even gonorrhea. It's now sold mostly as a supplement for memory support or brain health.