A new study suggests that supplements of ginkgo biloba may reduce the risk of mild memory problems, but only if the supplements are taken as directed.
Researchers at Oregon State University carried out a three-year study involving 118 people, all of whom were 85 or older and had no memory problems at the start of the investigation.
Half of the participants took ginkgo biloba extract three times a day, while the other half were given a placebo.
The researchers found that slightly fewer members of the group taking ginkgo developed memory problems or possible dementia, although the result was not statistically significant.
However, when they further analysed the results and only took into account those people who had followed directions for taking the supplements properly, they found that people who took ginkgo were 68 per cent less likely to develop mild memory problems than those on the placebo.
Study author Dr Hiroko Dodge commented: "These results need to be clarified with larger studies, but the findings are interesting because ginkgo biloba is already widely used, readily available and relatively inexpensive.
"The potential to delay or prevent this (dementia) is of great importance."
A new study suggests that supplements of ginkgo biloba may reduce the risk of mild memory problems, but only if the supplements are taken as directed.
