One man’s success story using ginkgo biloba to treat PAD

A Funny Feeling

Do you ever experience numbness in an isolated area in either of your legs? How about a prickly feeling or leg pain while walking?

If so, it’s time to face the reality that it’s probably not going away. In fact, there’s a very good chance it may be peripheral artery disease (PAD) caused by impeded blood flow in the legs.

Most people with PAD are undiagnosed and unaware there’s a problem lurking. And that’s especially troubling for diabetics, who (along with smokers) are most likely to develop PAD.

The danger: PAD patients are four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

But new evidence shows that a well-known botanical may reduce these risks.

One man’s success story

A few months ago I told you about a study that found ginkgo biloba to be ineffective in reducing risk of heart attack or stroke in people over the age of 75.

But during that six-year study, about twice as many subjects in the placebo group developed PAD compared to the ginkgo group.

That’s not proof that ginkgo prevents PAD, but the suggestion is there. And an HSI member named Bertram agrees.

Bertram writes: “In 2006 I had an accident which threw by intrinsic rhythms off and resulted in elevated blood pressure levels. I researched alternative solutions after I was prescribed a lopressor and coumadin without any satisfactory explanation as to why. My arteries were clean; triglycerides, CRP, sugar and homocysteine were within acceptable levels.

“The doctors, including the chief cardiologist at the Interfaith Hospital in Brooklyn, told me that these drugs were prescribed as a preventative measure to prevent a blood clot even though my heart structure was sound.

“Total bunk! I started using ginkgo in 2006 after stumbling on the site of Dr. Blaylock who recommended ginkgo among other supplements.

“The end result is that I can now go out in the cold or touch ice without suffering from extremely white, blood starved fingers and toes. Today, I can walk in the cold New York…even Ottawa…winter and my fingers and toes remain red. This is evidence that there is blood circulation to my peripheral members.

“I will be 57 in two weeks and today my blood pressure is 110/60. Ginkgo is one of the main reasons for that.”

Those are great results. But I have two notes to add: 1) Beware taking ginkgo biloba with other drugs to address a heart condition, especially warfarin or aspirin. 2) Another HSI member wrote to warn that ginkgo might prompt adverse reactions in diabetics who take metformin.

Ginkgo is one of those very useful botanicals that should be researched before trying, and ideally used under the care of an herbalist or medical professional.

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