Ginkgo Biloba Depression - For The Elderly
Anti-depression is another beneficial effect of ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba extract has been used to treat various ailments for a good number of years. Ginkgo is good for treating depression.
Everyone has gone through some form of unhappiness at one time or another in his or her life. But when depression continues and affects daily functioning, depression could turn into a disorder. Normal sadness could be differentiated from depressive disorder according to severity, duration and presence of other symptoms such as lack of sleep and eating disorder that usually accompanies depression.
Studies show that ginkgo biloba extracts can help reduce depression in the elderly. The administration of 80mg of ginkgo has been shown to decrease depression levels. Ginkgo biloba contains active substances that can increase protein synthesis. Ginkgo also contains potent antioxidants that scavenge free radicals to counter the damaging effects of aging. These free radicals affect the serotonin receptor sites, making older people susceptible to depression. There are two reasons why serotonin levels decreased with age. First, is the increase of impaired receptor synthesis. And second, changes in cerebral neuronal membranes or receptors because of increasing levels of free radicals.
Ginkgo increases serotonin receptors by combining an increase in protein synthesis and potent antioxidant. The combination of these two in help people plagued with depression especially among the elderly to be able to fight it effectively.
In another study conducted, 40 depressed elderly people with additional cerebral flow problems who did not respond to antidepressant medications were given 80 milligrams of ginkgo extract three times a day. After the eight-week study lapse, remarkable improvement from depression and deteriorating mental faculties was noticed in the elderly. Ginkgo extract can effectively take the place of alternative anti-depressant products.
Ginkgo must be taken with caution when combined with other anit-depressants such as trazodone and monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Possible negative drug interaction could result if ginkgo is taken with other anti-depressant drugs.
The recommended dosage is 80 mg twice daily. One 80 mg dosage should be administered in the morning and one after lunch. A standard 40 mg to 200 mg. per day is recommended for healthy people. Those using ginkgo to treat illness should take more. A typical formulation should contain 24% flasvonoids and 6% terpenoids for maximum benefit to the body. Depressed people should take ginkgo for twelve weeks before benefits will show. Although, others noticed remarkable improvement after only two to three weeks of use. The effects will manifest on a case-to-case basis.
Ginkgo could prove beneficial if used daily and for a long time. It seems to benefit the elderly because ginkgo treats depression by increasing the serotonin levels and the protein synthesis of those depressed. In the study, serotonin levels in the young do not show remarkable increase after administering ginkgo extract.
Ginkgo could be safe and natural way of healing the body from the cumbersome effects of depression.
