Ginkgo Study

Ginkgo biloba is a popular supplement that requires no prescription.

It comes in pills and in some drinks.

The products claim to enhance mental focus and improve memory and concentration.

More Info JAMA Article

But no large studies to measure ginkgo's effect on healthy elderly people had been conducted, until now.

Dr. Paul Solomon/ Williams College - "WE RAN 14 DIFFERENT TESTS OF LEARNING, MEMORY AND ATTENTION AND CONCENTRATION, AND ON NONE OF THESE TESTS DID WE FIND ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE STUDY WHO TOOK GINKGO AND THOSE WHO TOOK THE PLACEBO."

In other words, ginkgo didn't work.

Doctors suggest consumers place their faith in medications approved by the FDA because those products have been proven to be safe and effective.

August 20, 2002