Ginkgo, ginseng and folic acid — Latest research on these tried-and-true supplements

Patricia Andersen-Parrado

Ginseng for glucose control

Ginseng, among the most well-known herbs, is said to be beneficial in numerous ways, including carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes mellitus. Recent research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that at least one type of ginseng, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L), may indeed be helpful for blood-sugar control. Animal studies have suggested that Asian ginseng may be beneficial for glucose control, too.

On four separate occasions, 10 people who did not have diabetes and 9 people with type 2 diabetes were given either ginseng or placebo capsules, either 40 minutes before or together with a meal. For the nondiabetic participants, no differences were noted when the ginseng was taken with food; however, their blood-sugar levels did drop when they took ginseng 40 minutes before a meal. For the patients with diabetes, supplementing with ginseng lowered blood sugar levels both when they took the ginseng before and during the meal.

Given the growing numbers of people affected by diabetes, type 2 in particular, any promising research supporting the use of natural strategies to control blood sugar levels is certainly welcome, and exciting.

Folic acid: beyond birth-defect protection

By now the word that supplementation with folic acid among women of childbearing age protects against birth defects, such as spina bifida, is pretty well known. But recent research provides additional reasons why it's imperative for such women to make sure that they are getting enough folic acid.

Research published in the April issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that folic acid supplements may cut the risk for early miscarriage. While no clinical trials have been conducted to support this theory, researchers in the Netherlands noted that women who have low levels of folate (the byproduct of folic acid that is found in the blood) are more likely to have miscarriages than those with higher folate levels. Other research published in the May issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that women who took supplements containing folic acid were less likely to give birth to babies with congenital heart abnormalities. The protective effect seemed to occur only when the women took folic acid before conception or during the first month of pregnancy. While the authors suggest further research to confirm their findings, they note that, "If these associations are causal, the results suggest that approximately one in four major cardiac defects could be prevented by periconceptual multivitamin use."

More research shows that ginkgo is a brain booster

Research presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 52nd Annual Meeting in San Diego, California (April 29-May 6, 2000) showed that, Ginkgo biloba reduces the extent of brain damage caused by stroke in an animal study.

Researchers induced strokes in mice who had been receiving oral doses of ginkgo for one week. While a low dose appeared to offer protection against stroke -- reducing the area of the brain affected by 30 percent -- another, larger dose had no beneficial effect.

While the researchers noted that it is premature to suggest that the same results would hold true for people at risk for stoke, more research is certainly warranted.

And, the study's lead author, Wayne Clark, MD, director of the Oregon Stroke Center at Oregon Health Sciences University said, "In addition to reducing stroke injury, ginkgo may also be useful in improving memory following a stroke."

REFERENCES

"Folic acid may cut miscarriage risk," April 3, 2000. www.reutershealth.com

"Ginkgo may protect brain against stroke damage," American Academy of Neurology. http://www.aan.com/public/nrelease/ginkgo.htm

Botto, LD, et al. "Occurrence of congenital heart defects in relation to maternal multivitamin use," American Journal of Epidemiology 151(9):878-84, May 1, 2000.

Vuksan, Vladimir, PhD. "American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) Reduces Postprandial Glycemia in Nondiabetic Subjects and Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus," Archives of Internal Medicine 160:1009-1013, April 10, 2000.

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