A clear example of Advertising vs Science

Ginkgo Biloba Extract is the extract of the leaves of the common
ginkgo biloba tree. The standardized ginkgo biloba extract (GBE)
requires a 50:1 ratio of leaves to extract, and extraction of GBE from
the leaves is a very long process. The resulting extract contains
ginkgo flavonglycosides (bioflavonoids) and terpene lactones as its
active parts. Ginkgo Biloba Extract is used for several purported
benefits include supporting mental acuity, circulation, and eye
health, and for help in addressing age-related memory decline, ringing
in the ear and low mood.

* * *

The largest and longest independent clinical trial to assess ginkgo
biloba's ability to prevent memory loss has found that the supplement
does not prevent or delay dementia or Alzheimer's disease, researchers
are reporting.  "We were disappointed," said Dr. Steven T. DeKosky,
dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia and the
principal investigator. "We were hopeful this would work. If this was
really a powerful effect, we would have seen something that would have
at least inched its way toward statistical significance," Dr. DeKosky
said. "If you're in your mid-70s and want to take this drug to protect
yourself from developing the disease, my comment is: It doesn't work.
"

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pb

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* General Information About BEE-L is available at: *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm   *
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