New US Research "First"

SPRINGVILLE, UT - In a pioneering study the first published study in healthy older adults US researchers have shown that the unique, patented Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761®, improves the speed of mental processing abilities compared to placebo.

The researchers, from two Virginia medical schools, the University of Virginia and Liberty University, examined the short-term efficacy of taking 180 mg per day of EGb 761® extract (Ginkgold® from Nature's Way) on the cognitive functioning of healthy individuals 55 to 86 years old. Forty healthy ("cognitively intact") persons (21 men, 19 women; average age 68 years) completed the double blind, placebo-controlled study involving a battery of neuropsychological tests and measures.

After six weeks of usage, the number of participants rating their overall abilities to remember things as "improved" was significantly higher in the Ginkgold® group than in the placebo group. The Ginkgold® participants also exhibited significantly greater improvement in the task assessing speed of processing abilities. In addition, the researchers note that, while not statistically significant, the Ginkgold® group also performed better in the tests assessing visuo-motor scanning, complex cognitive processing and cognitive flexibility. Overall, of the five neuropsychological measures included in the study that involved a timed, speed of processing component, the Ginkgold® group showed greater improvement in four of these tasks after six weeks.

Dr. Joseph Mix, Associate Professor of Health Sciences at Liberty University and principal investigator for the study, stated "We chose Nature's Way Ginkgold® because it has undergone considerable clinical research and has excellent bioavailability." Dr. Meinhard Kieser, co-author of another major new Ginkgo research study, adds "Previous US research comparing Ginkgold® against other extracts, showed that only Ginkgold® increased activity in all areas of the brain. This Virginia study again refers to 'synergistic effects' which relate to the multiple constituents of the total extract. Other Ginkgo extracts do not have the same composition as Ginkgold® and the results of this and other studies cannot be extrapolated to any other Ginkgo extract."

EGb 761® and Ginkgold® are trademarks of the Dr. Willmar Schwabe Company of Karlsruhe, Germany, a world leader in the research and development of natural medicines. Schwabe is the holder of US Patent #5399348 relating to Ginkgo biloba extract and is a parent company to Nature's Way Products, Inc., Springville, Utah.