Ginkgo Biloba: Does It Prevent Dementia?

Ginkgo Biloba: Does It Prevent Dementia?

Quick Summary: A large study tested if Ginkgo biloba supplements could stop dementia or Alzheimer's in older adults with normal thinking or mild memory issues. After over six years, the herb didn't lower the risk compared to a fake pill. This means it may not help prevent these brain conditions as hoped.

What The Research Found

Researchers wanted to see if Ginkgo biloba could protect the brain from dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. They compared it to a placebo, which is a pill with no active ingredients. Here's what they discovered in simple terms:

• Ginkgo didn't reduce dementia cases overall. The rate was slightly higher in the Ginkgo group (3.3 cases per 100 people per year) than the placebo group (2.9 cases).
• For Alzheimer's, which made up most dementia cases (about 92%), there was no real difference either.
• People with mild cognitive impairment (early memory problems) didn't benefit; their risk of worsening to full dementia stayed the same.
• Both groups had similar side effects, and few people dropped out, so the study was reliable on safety.

The stats showed no strong evidence that Ginkgo works for prevention (hazard ratios around 1.1-1.2, meaning no big protective effect).

Study Details

This was a solid, fair test called a randomized controlled trial, where nobody knew who got the real supplement or the fake one to avoid bias.

• Who was studied: 3,069 healthy older adults from communities near five U.S. universities. Most (over 2,500) had normal thinking skills; about 480 had mild cognitive impairment. All were 75 years or older.
• How long: About 6.1 years on average, with check-ups every six months to spot any dementia early.
• What they took: Half got 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba extract twice a day (total 240 mg daily). The other half got an identical-looking placebo. The Ginkgo was a standard type with key plant compounds for brain health claims.

Doctors and experts reviewed everyone's brain health regularly to confirm dementia diagnoses.

What This Means For You

If you're an older adult worried about memory loss or dementia, this study suggests Ginkgo biloba isn't a reliable way to prevent it. Don't count on it as a magic bullet for keeping your brain sharp—talk to your doctor about proven steps like exercise, a healthy diet, staying social, and managing heart health. That said, Ginkgo seems safe for short-term use if you're already taking it for other reasons, like better circulation. Always check with a healthcare pro before starting supplements, especially if you have mild memory concerns, to avoid wasting money on unproven options.

Study Limitations

No study is perfect, and this one has a few things to note:

• It only looked at people 75 and older; results might differ for younger folks or those already with dementia.
• The dose (240 mg daily) is common, but some other studies used higher amounts—maybe that could change things, though we don't know.
• Most dementia cases were Alzheimer's type, so it might miss effects on other brain conditions.
• Six years is a good stretch, but longer-term effects over a lifetime aren't covered.
• Side effects were rare, but if someone guessed they were on the real pill (like from stomach upset), it could slightly skew results.

Overall, this big, long trial gives strong evidence against using Ginkgo for dementia prevention, but more research could explore tweaks like starting earlier in life.