Finding Real Ginkgo Isn't Easy, ConsumerLab's Tests Reveal

White Plains, New York, March 7, 2018 — Recent tests of popular Ginkgo biloba supplements sold in the U.S. found that only 4 of 10 were confirmed to contain their listed amounts of real ginkgo extract. Ginkgo supplements are often promoted to improve memory and to help with other conditions such as vertigo and Raynaud's disease, but they can also be very expensive to manufacture. As a result, ginkgo supplements may be among the most adulterated herbs on the market — often spiked with compounds from other plants that can make low-quality ginkgo appear to be higher in quality.

ConsumerLab's tests revealed that one product contained no more than 3% of its listed ginkgo and several other supplements appear to have been adulterated with compounds from other plants. Even among products that contained their claimed amount of real ginkgo, there were significant differences in cost, ranging from 9 cents to over $2 for an equivalent amount of ginkgo extract. Among the few products that passed all tests and were "Approved for Quality," ConsumerLab.com identified its Top Pick based on value and appropriateness of dose. The findings are available online now in ConsumerLab.com's Ginkgo Biloba Supplements Review which also summarizes the clinical evidence, discusses dosage, potential side effects, drug interactions, and suggests what to look for on labels and the best way to take ginkgo supplements.

Current evidence suggests that ginkgo may modestly improve limited aspects of memory in healthy individuals but has no significant benefit in preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. There is preliminary evidence that ginkgo may be helpful in conditions such as vertigo, intermittent claudication and Raynaud's disease.

The Review includes test results and quality comparisons for 13 supplements. These include 10 selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and three that passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program. Products covered in the review are: BulkSupplement.com Ginkgo Biloba, Doctor's Best Extra Strength Ginkgo, GNC Herbal Plus Ginkgo Biloba 120 mg, Life Extension Ginkgo Biloba, Metagenics GinkgoRose, Nature Made Ginkgo Biloba, Nature's Way Ginkgold, NOW Double Strength Ginkgo Biloba, Nutrilite Memory Builder, ProCaps Laboratories Andrew Lessman Ginkgo Biloba, Pure Encapsulations Memory Pro, Source Naturals Ginkgo-24, and The Vitamin Shoppe Ginkgo Biloba Extract.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to reviews of more than 1,000 products from over 400 brands. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.



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