UN: AIDS epidemic stable; fewer deaths, infections (AP)

AP - Fewer people are dying of AIDS, more patients are on HIV medication and the global AIDS epidemic is stable after peaking in the late 1990s.

Ginkgo, also known as ginkgo biloba, is an Asian tree that has no contemporary relatives. As such and because ginkgo-like plants are well-represented in the fossil record, it is often referred to as a living fossil. Also called the Maidenhair Tree for its leaves' resemblance to maidenhair fern, it has been under cultivation throughout human history.

The ginkgo leaf is used to make herbal teas and extracts, which have been shown promoted as having positive health effects. It has been a staple of Chinese medicine for hundreds of years.

Ginkgo biloba has long been proposed to increase memory, energy and concentration. It is also used to treat tinnitus and vascular disease. Ginkgo is felt to be a neuroprotective agent and antioxidant. More than 5 million prescriptions are written in Germany for ginkgo every year and sales in the US are $240 million per year.

Studies have shown some benefit in patients with dementia, although the effects on cognitive tests were not greater than the modest effects of anticholinesterase inhibitors, and were not associated with subjective impression of improvement by families and doctors (1).

A recent large controlled trial, however, found no effect of ginkgo on memory function using a large battery of tests in normal individuals (2).

Manufacturers, however, promote gingko for the enhancement of memory in normal individuals, or to prevent the normal decline of memory with aging, and there really is no evidence that they are helpful for this purpose. Ginkgo can have serious side effects, including coma, bleeding and seizures. It should not be used with medications like Warfarin that are used to decrease blood clotting. Minor but more common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, or dizziness.

1. LeBars, P.L., Katz, M.M., Berman, N. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Binkgo biloba for dementia. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1997;278:1327-1332.

2. Solomon, P.R., Adams, F., Silver, A., Zimmer, J., DeVeaux, R. Ginkgo for memory enhancement: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002;288(7):835-840.

Learn more about alternatives to medications and hidden risks of prescription medications in 'Before You Take That Pill: Why the Drug Industry May be Bad for Your Health: Risks and Side Effects You Won't Find on the Label of Commonly Prescribed Drugs, Vitamins and Supplements', by researcher and physician J. Douglas Bremner, MD.

http://www.beforeyoutakethatpill.com

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