- What is ginkgo? Ginkgo supplements contain leaf extracts of the Ginkgo biloba tree, but there is concern over the quality of extracts due to reported adulteration. (See What It Is).
- Do ginkgo supplements work? Preliminary evidence suggests that ginkgo may modestly improve limited aspects of memory and cognition in healthy individuals, but stronger evidence indicates no significant benefit from ginkgo in preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Preliminary evidence suggests ginkgo may be helpful in other conditions such as vertigo, intermittent claudication and Raynaud's disease. (See What It Does).
- What did CL's tests of ginkgo find? Only 4 of the 10 popular ginkgo supplements ConsumerLab.com selected for testing were "Approved" in testing. An additional three products tested through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program were also "Approved."
- Problems with ginkgo: One product was discovered to contain no more than 3% of its listed amount of ginkgo extract. Several others appear to be have been adulterated ("spiked") with compounds from plants other than ginkgo — a common trick to make low-quality ginkgo appear to be higher in quality. (See What CL Found and use the Results table).
- Top Pick for ginkgo — Among the "Approved" products, ConsumerLab chose its Top Pick based on quality, dosage, and value: The product costs only 9 cents per 120 mg dose, while other "Approved" products cost two to thirty times as much for the same amount of ginkgo extract.
- What to look for in ginkgo supplements? Ginkgo biloba (leaf) extracts used in clinical trials are typically standardized to contain 24% flavonol glycosides and 6% terpene lactones -- look for this on labels (but don't trust it unless it's been tested by a reputable 3rd party). (See ConsumerTips™).
- Safety and side effects of ginkgo: Ginkgo is generally safe but can cause mild side effects. However, people with bleeding disorders, on blood-thinners or diabetes medication, and those trying to conceive should not take ginkgo. For details, see Concerns and Cautions.
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Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba) Supplements Review
Choose the Best Ginkgo Biloba Supplement. Finding Real Ginkgo Isn't Easy — 60% Fail ConsumerLab's Tests of Quality
Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Ginkgo supplement brands compared in this review
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
Vitamin Shoppe Standardized Herbs Ginkgo Biloba Extract
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Summary
You must be a ConsumerLab.com member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks and ConsumerTips on how to choose and use ginkgo supplements. You'll get results for 13 supplements: 10 selected by ConsumerLab.com and three that passed the same testing in our voluntary Quality Certification Program.
You'll get all of the following information about Ginkgo biloba supplements in this comprehensive review:
You'll get all of the following information about Ginkgo biloba supplements in this comprehensive review:
- Which ginkgo supplements passed or failed testing, and which is ConsumerLab.com's Top Pick for best quality, dose, and value
- How ginkgo supplements compare on quality, ingredients, and cost
- The clinical evidence for ginkgo: what it can and cannot do for your health
- What to look for on labels, including amounts of key ginkgo compounds (flavonol glycosides and terpene lactones)
- Ginkgo dosage for memory, intermittent claudication, Reynaud's syndrome, tension glaucoma, and PMS
- Concerns, drug interactions, and potential side-effects of ginkgo
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Related CL Answers (16)
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