How does Ginkgo biloba imrpove our memories?

Answer 1

Researchers cannot say for certain whether ginkgo biloba can improve cognitive functions, but they have found that the extract can affect the brain in several ways

CIRCULATORY
Stimulates widening of the blood vessels, which leads to increased blood flow to the brain and lowered blood pressure (perhaps reducing the risk of stroke).
Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood (excessive cholesterol is correlated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease).
Inhibits the aggregation of blood platelets and the formation of clots. This may lower the risk of an occlusive stroke (caused by a clot blocking a blood vessel in the brain) but raise the chance of a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding in the brain).

ANTIOXIDANT
Curbs the creation of free radicals, highly reactive oxygen molecules that may injure neurons and cause age-related changes in the brain.
Alleviates the effects of cerebral ischemia-- the loss of blood flow to the brain-- by inhibiting the production of toxic free radicals after an ischemic episode.

GLUCOSE UTILIZATION
Boosts the absorption of glucose, the body's primary fuel, in the frontal and parietal cortex, areas of the brain important for processing sensory information and for planning complex actions.
Also increases glucose absorption in the nucleus accumbens and the cerebellum, brain regions involved in experiencing pleasure and controlling movement, respectively.

NEUROTRANSMITTER SYSTEMS
Appears to help neurons in the forebrain absorb the nutrient choline from the blood. Choline is one of the components of acetylcholine, a brain chemical that transmits signals between certain neurons.
Slows the attrition of neuron receptors that direct the response to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that reduces stress and anxiety.
Enhances the release of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), another neurotransmitter that can relieve anxiety. Lowering stress may reduce the level of glucocorticoid hormones in the blood, which in turn may protect the hippocampus, a brain structure critical to normal learning.
Raises the production of norepinephrine, yet another neurotransmitter. Enhanced activation of the norepinephrine system by certain antidepressants has been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression.

Answer 2

Studies have been done that show that Ginkgo Biloba does not improve memories of healthy patients. It does have some effects on the human body though, but improved memories is not one of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo#Medical_uses


Here is another link to a National Institutes of Health website that says that studies have not found that Ginkgo Biloba improves memories. I have not seen any site that is not selling Ginkgo Biloba or promoting it somehow give reference to any other studies.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ginkgo/ginkgo.pdf

Answer 3

It can improve memory by improving circulation above the neck. The effects generally take 3-6 months of regular use and are mainly beneficial if you actually have a circulation problem that is restricting blood flow in the first place. Bottom line is that the science is there. Morons will cite negative studies that are actually based on single molecule extracts or synthetic copies of an assumed "therapeutic agent." In the end, it will work for some and not for others. That's how it is with all drugs too.

Answer 4

Researchers believe that the beneficial effects of herbal supplements may be the result of a single, active agent and others are achieved with a combination of unique ingredients. This combined effect is called a "polyvalent action" and it is the primary mechanism of action in Ginkoba.

The polyvalent activity of two pharmacologically active components found in the unique standardized extract of Ginkoba are likely responsible for the benefits demonstrated in extensive clinical study. They are flavonoids (ginkgo-flavone glycosides) and terpenes (ginkgolides and bilobalide).

Flavonoids are plant pigments and were first isolated in the 1930s by the same scientist who discovered Vitamin C, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi. He demonstrated that flavonoids helped strengthen capillary walls. Flavonoids were once called "Vitamin P." Today over 4,000 flavonoids have been identified making it impossible to classify this diverse group as one vitamin.

Answer 5

It promotes bloodflow thru the body and to the brain.

Answer 6

I forgot