Alzheimer’s Disease runs in my family. It’s a horrible disease, stripping your identity, abilities, and mind. The victim of this disorder is left eventually helpless, unable to do anything for themselves, and not able to recognize family or friends. Life skills vanish, they don’t know where or who they are- even what the date is. It is a horrible way to live, and a terrible thing to watch someone go through.
Some people live decades with Alzheimer’s Disease.
For this reason, myself and many people in my family have been taking Ginkgo Biloba for years, as it was recommended and thought to ward off things like Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and sharpen the mind. Even doctors and pharmacists recommend it- it is the “most prescribed supplement in Germany (and apparently the treatment of choice for dementia), and is #9 in sales among herbals in the United States” (source- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database).
However, I was at my neurologist yesterday (I suffer from migraines) and he told me that there have been new studies out that prove Ginkgo Biloba is not only ineffective, but also that it can cause seizures from long term use as well as lead to bleeding in the brain spontaneously or increasing any bleeding that may otherwise occur. I began to read all the studies that he presented to me, and I will for sure not be taking Ginkgo Biloba any more. There does not seem to be any benefit, but there does seem to be quite a few risks that I don’t need to take.
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