The Fight Against Alzheimer’s
Seattle – Scientists have been converging for quite some time now in the hopes that they can find a cure or preventative measure in regards to Alzheimer’s and Dementia. While already having studied numerous laboratory-produced pharmaceuticals they recently turned to a more natural substance.
Ginkgo Biloba is an herb bore from a tree that has been cultivated in China for centuries. They herald this natural medicinal supplement as one with the ability to help in aging. Specifically in correlation to mental aging memory loss, concentration, dementia, Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s outweighed diabetes two years ago as the sixth in line to illnesses causing death. This illness affects over 5.2 million Americans today. It is something that needs serious consideration in regards to healthcare. The sooner we stave it off the better.
Due to its proposed curative properties, Scientists gathered a group of willing subjects, to put this medicine to the test. There were 3,069 people enrolled in the study, within the age range of 75 to 96. There were both men and women involved. Of the total amount enrolled, approximately 1,000 of them received the herbal supplement while the remainder received a placebo. This experimental trial covered roughly, a six-year period of time.
At completion, scientists found that the Gingko had little or no effect on people in preventing or slowing Alzheimer’s and dementia. In fact, during the course of this study it was shown that less of the subjects who were taking the placebo were diagnosed with these illnesses than the ones who took Gingko.
“At this point in time, I wouldn’t tell anybody to take the medication in hopes that it would work (to prevent Alzheimer’s),” said Dr. Steven DeKosky, dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine who led the study.
“If they want to continue taking it — because it’s not toxic and not expensive — they probably aren’t going to hurt themselves other than spending the money,” DeKosky added.
“I don’t think there is a role for ginkgo biloba in human health at this point,” says Gary J. Kennedy, M.D., director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. “This study was long enough that if ginkgo had any protective capacity to prevent Alzheimer’s or slow cognitive decline, it would have shown it.”
Yet, in Germany where Scientists have conducted similar experiments, the drug has shown to be of help in mental clarity and memory. There is a study going on right now to a similar effect to the one done in the United States. The results do not come in until 2010. This study extended the experiment over a longer course of years than the US study.
There are many explanations as to why this herb didn’t work. The scientific community agrees that if taken as early as the forties when the onset of these illnesses usually occurs, then it may have a greater effect. As of now, the only thing they know in regards to this herb is that it is not harmful. It could be possible that some people are immune to its effects. This could be a leading reason why it did not work on the subjects. However, in the end it is still just supposition.
There are however advanced nutritional supplements such as biotivia transmax resveratrol, an extract of red wine which has been shown in multiple studies at institutions including Harvard Medical School and the National Institutes of Medicine to prevent the diseases of aging and to extend the life span of mammals. The pharmaceutical industry wants us to assume that no nutritional supplements prevent disease and this has clearly been proved to be untrue. In fact, a large number of the most effective drugs are derived from natural sources or are merely synthetic versions of plant-based compounds.
Slowing Alheimer’s (SlowingAlzheimers.com) is clearly do-able, as there is plenty of evidence that red wine, plenty of phyisical and mental exercise and a healthy diet can keep it at bay.