Another Use for the World’s Most Versatile Herb?

Ginkgo biloba is quite possibly the most valuable and versatile herb in the world. And now there is yet another possible use for this great herb. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that is strongly associated with the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if three of the five following conditions are present: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure or elevated blood glucose. New preliminary research suggests the hope that ginkgo can help reduce some of the risks for people with metabolic syndrome. . . .

Insulin resistance and low-grade systemic inflammation are both features of metabolic syndrome that are associated with cardiovascular disease. This small study gave eleven people with metabolic syndrome 240mg of Ginkgo biloba extract for two months. 

After two months, the ginkgo was able to significantly decrease both HOMA-IR–an important measure of insulin resistance–and C-reactive protein–an important measure of inflammation. The ginkgo also significantly reduced the earliest signs of atherosclerotic plaque formation (nanoplaque), oxidized LDL cholesterol and other important markers of free radical damage and inflammation (including IL-6).

Ginkgo also increased the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes SOD and glutathione.

This study offers promise that ginkgo can significantly improve insulin resistance and inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome and, therefore, importantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.

At least one earlier small study also found that ginkgo could reduce the early signs of early stage plaque (nanoplaque), oxidized LDL cholesterol and the dangerous Lp(a) cholesterol while increasing the activity of SOD (Atherosclerosis 2007;192:438-44).

Atherosclerosis 2014;237:584-44