Healthy Lifestyle topic for today is Gingko and Health.

 

The Ginkgo biloba tree is the oldest species of tree still living today. The tree can live to be 1,000 years old, making the leaves very hardy and resistant to inclement weather. In addition to its use in modern herbal medicine, Ginkgo biloba has been used by traditional Chinese medical practitioners for over 5,000 years.

Today, thanks to man's intervention, Ginkgo trees grow all over the world, line U.S. streets and boulevards. And in return for saving this ancient tree, we have all been offered the chance to benefit from the secret that Ginkgo biloba has kept hidden in its leaves for hundreds of millions of years—unique phytochemicals with a variety of health benefits that nobody could have expected to come from just one plant!

Active components of Ginkgo biloba: There are more than 40 components identified from ginkgo biloba tree but there are only two active components that are responsible for its beneficial effects. These components include;

• Flavonoids such as quercetin and rutin both have powerful antioxidant effects. Studies have shown that flavonoids protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels and retina from damage.
• Terpenoids such as ginkgolides improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets.

The health benefits of Ginkgo biloba are possible because of two of its active ingredients. Terpene lactones, which occur in Ginkgo biloba as bilobalide and ginkgolides, promote increased circulation and have a protective effect on the nerve cells of the body. Ginkgo flavone glycosides act as antioxidants and can also reduce the stickiness of platelets, which can help prevent clogged arteries and poor circulation.

Ginkgo Biloba - How Does It Work?
As an oxygen-carrying agent, Gingko Biloba increases the blood flow throughout the circulatory system as well as the brain. Vital nutrients and oxygen are circulated throughout the body’s blood stream network. By improving the circulatory system the body will improve your overall health and help you live longer. Ginkgo Biloba will also keep your vital organs healthier and functioning properly.

Ginkgo Biloba has several active ingredients that provide the powerful healing action. The Ginkgo Biloba extracts contain: Flavonoids, Terpene lactones that also include Ginkgolides A, B, and C, Bilobalide, Quercetin and lastly Kamepferol. The Ginkgolides act as anti-allergen, anti-inflammatory and treat respiratory ailments such as Asthma. The healing power of Ginkgo Biloba also kills free radicals inside of the body. These radicals can cause the body harm by afflicting damaged cells and causing various diseases.

Gingko has been known as a powerful brain stimulant and memory enhancing extract. A Ginkgo Biloba user will benefit from the nutrients ability to enhance the brains functionality including mental alertness and memory enhancement. In some phases of Alzheimer’s, patients who suffer from this disease can gain some benefit from its memory enhancing power. Ginkgo can help treat affected areas of the brain that suffer from a decreased blood flow and poor circulation.

Proven Health Benefits

Several of the claimed health benefits of Ginkgo biloba have been proven with placebo-controlled, double-blind research studies conducted by major universities and government agencies. Ginkgo biloba received a three-star rating for use in treating age-related cognitive decline, glaucoma, early-stage Alzheimer's disease and intermittent claudication, which is pain in the legs caused by blocked arteries.

Alzheimer's Disease: Research has shown that because Ginkgo biloba enhances blood flow to the brain, it can improve memory and mental function in some people with Alzheimer's disease. Ginkgo shows the most benefit for people already suffering from Alzheimer's and other age-related memory problems, not for those who are healthy.

Asthma: Ginkgo biloba has long been used in China to ease asthma attacks. Ginkgo helps relieve the airway spasms and wheezing associated with this disease.

Brain Optimization, Memory and Aging: Ginkgo biloba is not known to prevent memory loss, but its ability to improve blood flow to the brain suggests that it may help slow mental decline and optimize brain function. Ginkgo biloba may be useful in reducing the impact of early stage Alzheimer's and some forms of dementia. When age-related memory loss is caused by these conditions, Ginkgo biloba may help.

Depression Anxiety: By improving blood circulation to the brain, ginkgo may be useful for treating depression and anxiety, especially in older people, where reduced blood flow is often caused by a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.

Diabetes: Ginkgo biloba may be helpful in treating complications due to diabetes. Studies have shown ginkgo is useful for treating Diabetic neuropathy, the nerve damage resulting from poor circulation to the extremities that is common in diabetes sufferers. Animal studies have shown that Ginkgo may also help prevent diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that can cause blindness.

Hemorrhoids: Ginkgo biloba can be used for relief of acute symptoms of hemorrhoids (for control of bleeding and re-bleeding).

Impotence: Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to be helpful in treating erectile dysfunction due to poor blood flow. A study of impotent men showed improved penile blood circulation after six weeks of using Ginkgo extract. After six months, 50% of the patients had regained potency.

Macular Degeneration: There is some evidence that Ginkgo biloba may be helpful in treating macular degeneration because it increases blood flow to the eyes. Ginkgo’s antioxidant capabilities may also help to neutralize the cell-damaging free radicals that are considered a leading cause of macular degeneration. Ginkgo biloba's powerful antioxidant and circulation-promoting properties may also be of help in treating the blurring and dimming of vision caused by cataracts.

Multiple Sclerosis: There is some evidence that Ginkgo biloba can improve memory problems as well as muscle pain and fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis.

Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS): Research on women with premenstrual syndrome or breast discomfort suggests that Ginkgo biloba may ease symptoms such as breast discomfort and mood shifts.

Raynaud's Disease / Intermittent Claudication: Raynaud's disease is caused by reduced blood flow to the extremities - including the fingers, toes, nose and ears - when exposed to temperature changes or stress. By improving blood circulation to these areas Ginkgo biloba helps relieve the pain associated with this disease. Intermittent Claudication is associated with pain in the legs due to reduced blood flow. Ginkgo biloba has been shown to help this type of pain.

Stroke: Ginkgo biloba has a similar effect to aspirin in reducing the "stickiness" of the blood. This means ginkgo may help lower the risk of blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attacks or stroke.

Gingko Nuts 白果 Cautions Use:

Gingko Nuts 白果 are very toxic for children. When using Gingko for asthma therapy, the effective dosage is very close to toxic quantity. Cooking can only destroy the cyanide by hydrolysis but cannot destroy the toxicity caused by ginkgo phenols and ginkgo toxin.

A normal amount of flavonol does not affect the blood clotting time. A large dosage can interfere with the blood clotting time.

 

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