Will taking ginkgo biloba help my memory?

Walk into any juice shop, health food store or any place else that sells supplements and you are certain to run across ginkgo biloba--an ornamental tree from East Asian that has been part of Chinese medicine for millenniafor a variety of ailments. In the United States and Europe it is best known for its claims to help memory. Despite this awareness there are "virtually no peer-reviewed evidence supported Ginkgold's assertion that it could enhance memory in the otherwise healthy." This last sentence comes from Slate Magazine's "Ginkgo Biloba? Forget About It" that noted the following:

In 2002, a long-anticipated paper appeared in JAMA titled "Ginkgo for memory enhancement: a randomized controlled trial." This Williams College study, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging rather than Schwabe, examined the effects of ginkgo consumption on healthy volunteers older than 60. The conclusion, now cited in the National Institutes of Health's ginkgo fact sheet, said: "When taken following the manufacturer's instructions, ginkgo provides no measurable benefit in memory or related cognitive function to adults with healthy cognitive function."

Slate notes that not long after this damning report another study was released, this one funded by Ginkgo marketers that came to a different conclusion and thereby confusing the issue in the supplement buying public.

There is in fact some promise for the extract in treating patients who already have dementia, including Alzheimer's. But these are not the people walking into the smoothie shop and ordering a brain boosting smoothie.

You are right to be concerned about brain health and there are a number of resources to help you decide how to best go about achieving the healthiest possible brain. These include: "Studies Show How to Take Care of Your Brain" and a reminder to stop smoking (and get away from second hand smoke too) [link].

The brain health blog Lumosity has a post about the importance of a balanced diet that includes fish, vegetables and fruit. And if you are in need of a desert very dark chocolate has been associated with brain health benefits (in moderation!).

Additional Resource: The Brain Diet [Amazon link]