Study: Ginkgo doesn't reduce heart risk

  

November 24, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The herbal supplement ginkgo biloba has been heavily promoted to boost brain power. But can it help your heart?

A new study finds ginkgo does not reduce the risk for heart attacks or strokes, but it does show promise in fighting peripheral vascular disease.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh studied more than 3,000 people who were assigned to take either gingko or a placebo. Results showed no difference in the rate of heart attacks, strokes or death between the two groups.

However, narrowing of the blood vessels in the legs and feet, a condition called peripheral vascular disease or PVD, was about twice as common in the placebo group.

In Europe, the supplement is already used to fight PVD, but US researchers say more study is needed to confirm the effects and to determine the ideal dose.

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