HHS / NTP Study Proves Ginkgo Biloba Extract Causes Cancer

A friend of mine recently recommended that I take Ginkgo biloba extract to increase my memory. I have heard of people taking Ginkgo biloba to improve brain functioning all of my life, and lately it has been a popular additive in beverages for "improved memory" and other mental benefits.

Since I have become very conscious of the things I put in my body, something told me not to take it without looking into it...

There Are A Good Things To Be Said About Ginkgo Biloba...

Ginkgo biloba and mental cognition

There are many studies available on the many mental health benefits of Ginkgo biloba. It is hailed as a drug that can help improve memory retention and cognition, as well as prevent or retard dementia and mental decline.

As Ginkgo biloba extract has popularized in Western medicine, it has so popularized in health foods and beverages. While studies do suggest that Ginkgo biloba can improve mental cognition in certain healthy individuals (young adults more than all other age groups), most food items do not contain a high enough level of the extract for any noticeable results.

Ginkgo biloba and blood circulation

Ginkgo biloba has long been recognized as an herb that could improve circulation and treat blood disorders. Ginkgo biloba extract has the same effects inside the body as fibrinolytic drugs which are used to remedy blood clotting. Gingko biloba can be used to compliment fibrinolytic drugs, or substitute them in treating thromboemboli and thrombosis.

Additional claimed benefits include:

1. Anxiety
2. Glaucoma
3. Macular Degeneration
4. (PMS) Premenstrual Syndrome
5. And more...

However, Ginkgo Biloba Is Toxic And Causes Cancer

In March of 2013, the (NTP) National Toxicology Program released the results of a study commissioned by the US Department of Health and Human Services that proves Ginkgo biloba to toxic and cancerous to lab rats:

In male and female rats and mice, the liver, thyroid gland, and nose were the major targets of Ginkgo biloba extract toxicity. Many of the toxic and carcinogenic effects associated with Ginkgo biloba extract administration are characteristic of lesions related to hepatic enzyme induction. In general, the carcinogenic activity of Ginkgo biloba extract was more pronounced in mice than rats.

Administration of Ginkgo biloba extract resulted in increased incidences of nonneoplastic lesions in the liver, thyroid gland, and nose of male and female rats and mice and the forestomach of male and female mice. Increased severity of nephropathy in male rats was also due to administration of Ginkgo biloba extract.

The Sad Ginkgo Biloba Truth

Unfortunately, it is probably better to stay away from Ginkgo biloba extract, unless recommended to you by your doctor for the treatment of blood problems - even then, think twice about taking it, discuss alternatives, and always seek secondary advice!

Sources for "HHS / NTP Study Proves Ginkgo Biloba Extract Causes Cancer":

"Fibrinolytic effects of Ginkgo biloba extract" by Gholam Ali Naderi, PhD, Seddigheh Asgary, PhD, Abbas Jafarian, PhD, Nazila Askari, MS, Alireza Behagh, MD, Roya Hasani Aghdam, MSc, and the respective departments of Biochemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, and Microbiology at Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716226/

"Gingko biloba" by University of Maryland Medical Center
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/ginkgo-biloba

"Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Ginkgo Biloba Extract (CAS No. 90045-36-3) In F344/N Rats snd B6C3F1/N Mice (Gavage Studies)" by the National Toxicological Program
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/LT_rpts/TR578_508.pdf