A popular herb may help prevent peripheral artery disease

From PAD to Worse

Something here doesn’t quite compute.

A new study shows that ginkgo biloba does not reduce risk of heart attack or stroke in people over the age of 75.

But during the six-year study, about twice as many subjects in the placebo group developed peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to the ginkgo group.

Now that’s not proof that ginkgo prevents PAD, but the suggestion is there. And I hope researchers plan to follow up with a longer study because: A) If ginkgo really does help prevent PAD, we need to know more about that, and B) A longer study might show that ginkgo actually does lower risk of heart attack or stroke because risk of both of those events are higher among PAD patients.

PAD is a painful condition caused by reduced blood flow to the legs due to narrowed arteries. Diabetics and smokers are at highest risk of developing PAD. Ulcers and gangrene may develop in advanced cases of the disease.

Unfortunately, many doctors don’t recognize the full dangers of PAD.

Remember when I recently told you about a frightening PAD study? Frightening, because so many subjects were unaware they even had PAD until they were randomly screened for the study.

And even scarier: PAD patients are FOUR TIMES more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. So no surprise that some researchers consider PAD to be just as dangerous as heart disease.

The risk is THAT high.

Steering clear

Based on this one study, it’s too early to recommend ginkgo as a PAD preventive, according to Lewis H. Kuller, M.D., the lead researcher of the new study. But he also tells Reuters Health: “Peripheral artery disease is a major public health problem and the preventive therapies are not very good.”

So I guess the takeaway message might be this: If you’re using ginkgo to help support memory, you might – MIGHT – also be enjoying a reduced risk of PAD. And that’s no small thing.

If you do take a ginkgo supplement, or if you’re considering one, there are three important guidelines to be aware of.

Ginkgo Guideline One: Many alternative practitioners recommend a daily dose of 240 mg – considerably higher than the generally recommended dosage of 120 mg per day. (120 mg was used in the study mentioned above.)

Ginkgo Guideline Two: Slight gastrointestinal bleeding is a potential side effect. But this is most commonly seen in ginkgo users who also take drugs (such as aspirin and warfarin) that can cause similar bleeding.

Ginkgo Guideline Three: Ginkgo contains a compound called ginkgolic acid. A safe maximum level is 5 ppm. Higher levels may prompt side effects such as headaches and skin irritations. If your ginkgo supplement doesn’t note ginkgolic acid content, consider that a red flag.

As for prevention of PAD, there are two key recommendations: 1) Stop smoking, and 2) exercise. Even though it might seem like the last thing you want to do, a daily walking regimen is an excellent way to help prevent PAD, or to minimize pain associated with PAD.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
“Does Ginkgo Biloba Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Events?” Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, Published online ahead of print 11/24/09, circoutcomes.ahajournals.org
“Ginkgo No Help for Heart, But May Aid Leg Arteries” Reuters Health, 11/30/09, reutershealth.com