Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is literally a living fossil that has survived virtually unchanged through the various ice ages of prehistory. Some scientists estimate that it is 200 million years old, possibly the oldest living tree species on the earth.

Ginkgo Biloba has been transplanted all over the world and continues to thrive even under adverse conditions, demonstrating its apparent immunity to pollution, insects and disease.

Clinical studies have shown that only pharmaceutical grade Ginkgo Biloba extract as found in Alpha Tinnitus Relief Formulas will be effective in the treatment of tinnitus.

It takes anywhere from 50 to 75 pounds of leaves to make one pound of the concentrated Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE). As a measure of potency, researchers have established a common standard content of 24% ginkogosides and 6% terpenes.

Ginkgo Biloba even survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, where it still grows today next to the epicenter of the explosion. Individual trees may live to as many as 2000 years or more.

Ginkgo Biloba has been a mainstay of traditional Chinese medicine for more than 5000 years and is a vital ingredient of Alpha Tinnitus Relief Formulas.

The scientific community believes that the clinical benefits of this ancient herb result from a group of bioflavonoids called Ginkgo flavonglycosides and from a group of lactone terpenes called Ginkoglides which include Ginkgolide A, Ginkolide B, Ginkgolide C and Bilobalide.

This standardization process during manufacturing is critical to the effectiveness of the end product.

Only by using a standardized product (Ginkgo Biloba Extract or GBE), can we be assured of consistant efficacy.

Many cheaper Ginkgo Biloba based products often contain some ground up Ginkgo leaves that may in fact contain little, if any, of the efficacious agents that GBE contains.

Each Alpha Tinnitus Relief Formula capsules contains 120mg of Pharmaceutical Grade Ginkgo Biloba Extract.

Ginkgo Biloba's Effects on the Brain

Researchers cannot say for certain whether ginkgo biloba can improve cognitive functions, but they have found that the extract can affect the brain in several ways

CIRCULATORY

Stimulates widening of the blood vessels, which leads to increased blood flow to the brain and lowered blood pressure (perhaps reducing the risk of stroke).

Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood (excessive cholesterol is correlated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease).

Inhibits the aggregation of blood platelets and the formation of clots. This may lower the risk of an occlusive stroke (caused by a clot blocking a blood vessel in the brain) but raise the chance of a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding in the brain).

ANTIOXIDANT

Curbs the creation of free radicals, highly reactive oxygen molecules that may injure neurons and cause age-related changes in the brain.

Alleviates the effects of cerebral ischemia-- the loss of blood flow to the brain-- by inhibiting the production of toxic free radicals after an ischemic episode.

GLUCOSE UTILIZATION

Boosts the absorption of glucose, the body's primary fuel, in the frontal and parietal cortex, areas of the brain important for processing sensory information and for planning complex actions.

Also increases glucose absorption in the nucleus accumbens and the cerebellum, brain regions involved in experiencing pleasure and controlling movement, respectively.

NEUROTRANSMITTER SYSTEMS

Appears to help neurons in the forebrain absorb the nutrient choline from the blood. Choline is one of the components of acetylcholine, a brain chemical that transmits signals between certain neurons.

Slows the attrition of neuron receptors that direct the response to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that reduces stress and anxiety.

Enhances the release of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), another neurotransmitter that can relieve anxiety.

Lowering stress may reduce the level of glucocorticoid hormones in the blood, which in turn may protect the hippocampus, a brain structure critical to normal learning.

Raises the production of norepinephrine, yet another neurotransmitter. Enhanced activation of the norepinephrine system by certain antidepressants has been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression.