• Standardised Ginkgo biloba extract
• Improves peripheral and cerebral circulation
• Prevents cell hypoxia
• Beneficial for the circulatory system
• Increases the level of neurotransmitters
• Improves memory and cognitive functions
• Recommended for white-collar workers
• Referred to as "brain doping"

Now Foods Ginkgo Biloba is a dietary supplement with an extract (EGb 761) of Ginkgo biloba leaves (Ginkgo biloba extract), standardised at at least 24% of ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6% of terpene lactones.

Ginkgo biloba - the oldest tree in the world with numerous healthy and medicinal properties; used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years, also called the maidenhair tree. The most medically valuable parts are its leaves, which are used as material for extracts. The main biologically active substances in ginkgo leaves are flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, biflavons, oligomeric proanthocyanidins) and terpenoids (ginkgolides A, B, C, J, M and bilobalide)

Proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins) have an anti-inflammatory effect, inhibit the creation of free peroxyl radicals, protect blood vessels, reduce the level of glucose in the blood, fight viruses and bacteria, alleviate allergies, prevent cancer and proliferation. They constitute more or less 7% of standardised extracts.

Ginkgolides (diterpene lactones) exhibit a specific chemical structure, unknown among plants until recently. They reduce the activation and aggregation (clamping) of thrombocytes and improve blood pressure, they are antagonists of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) - a harmful factor which damages internal organs and generates disorders in the cardiovascular system. Additionally, ginkgolide B fights free radicals.

Bilobalide (sesquiterpene trilactone) is a unique compound which occurs only in ginkgo. In animal experiments it reduces the cytotoxic oedema (artificially induced), the volume of cortical necrosis and brain damage resulting from ischaemic stroke. It enhances the blood flow and improves the use of oxygen and glucose by cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Moreover, it is a monoamine oxidase (MAO-A and MAO-B) inhibitor, increasing the level of amino neurotransmitters. Research also showed bilobalide's anti-stress and anti-anxiety effect.

Flavonoids exhibit antioxidant properties through fighting free radicals, chelating prooxidant heavy metal ions, increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the concentration of glutathione.

The properties of Ginkgo Biloba extract: (based on basic in vitro/in vivo and clinical studies) --> The circulatory system:

• Strengthens the walls of arterial and venous blood vessels
• Impedes capillary permeability
• Extends narrowed blood vessels physiologically (PAF antagonism)
• Prevents vessel calcification
• Inhibits thrombocyte aggregation and reduces blood viscosity
• Improves the reological parameters of the blood
• Facilitates tissue and organ perfusion
• Increases the release of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in endothelial cells
• Inhibits the creation of free radicals and reduces membrane lipid peroxidation
• Antagonises the oxidant stress induced by homocysteine and the activation of the nuclear factor (NF-κB).
• Reduces the dysfunctions of cardiac contractility caused by ischaemia

The properties of Ginkgo Biloba extract: (based on basic in vitro/in vivo and clinical studies) --> The nervous system:

• Protects cerebral tissue from hypoxia and ischaemia
• Improves peripheral and cerebral circulation
• Improves memory and cognitive functions
• Gives a mental boost, increases vitality
• Normalises neurotransmitter deficiencies, depending on age
• Has a positive effect on synaptic conversion
• Increases the concentration of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline
• Increases the integrity of the blood-brain barrier
• Inhibits the production of β-amyloid aggregators
• Reduces the activity of caspase-3 (prevents neuron apoptosis)
• Increases the number of 5-HT1A receptors in the cerebral cortex
• Reversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO A and B)
• Has a positive effect on the process of Alzheimer's disease treatment
• Improves brain functions and the feeling of well-being in healthy, 50-65 years old people
• Exhibits therapeutic properties in treating dementia

It should be taken into account that not all clinical studies have confirmed the above-described properties of Ginkgo biloba extract, and some of them even negate some specifications. Ginkgo's healthy and therapeutic properties are still controversial and contradictory so there have been no official recommendations concerning its strictly medical application.

Recommended use
Because of its strong anticoagulative effect, it should not be used with heparin, warfarin, aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

To sum up, Now Foods Ginkgo Biloba is a dietary supplement which can be used in order to improve memory and cognitive functions, as well as to strengthen the circulatory system and prevent its dysfunctions. Recommended for students, white-collar workers and elderly people as preventive healthcare.