Free radicals are the by-products of normal metabolic activity, which are known to promote aging. Any supplement which can scavenge, or 'mop up' these free radicals more quickly is helping to delay the aging process.

Free radicals are involved, for example, in atheroschlerosis - the formation of fatty deposits on the artery walls. These lead to 'hardening of the arteries'. By reducing this process - which it appears it can do - Ginkgo will protect the arteries, and therefore the function of the heart.

For a useful discussion of free radicals, and their cousins, oxygen radicals, see:
friendsofogdell.bizland.com/longevity_biochemistry_aging_resourc es.html


DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY
When studying the effects on the elderly of Ginkgo, it was found that many of those in the study reported a hightened level of mental well-being - they felt brighter, and happier.

This has led to further studies specifically related to depression.

In one study of 40 elderly people with depression, who had not benefited from anti-depressant drugs, their drugs were supplemented with Ginkgo, or they were given a placebo. The study reported a very significant improvement in the Ginkgo group over the placebo group.

The mechanism of improvement is conjectured to be to do with Ginkgo increasing the number of seratonin-binding sites in the brain. These normally reduce with older age.

[Next: Ginkgo and drug interactions... dosage...]

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