Ginkgo Biloba for Prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness?

Since I am headed to the mountains of Peru in September, I have been searching for ways to ensure that Altitude sickness, technically known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), does not mar my excellent adventure. A few people have offered anecdotal evidence of Ginko Biloba being an effective preventative for AMS, so I looked into it.

"Ginkgo biloba for Prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness

Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Paul Auerbach, M.D.

The fourth issue of Volume 18 of the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine has recently been published. The lead article is entitled "Ginkgo biloba Decreases Acute Mountain Sickness in People Ascending to High Altitude at Ollague (3696 m) in Northern Chile," authored by Fernando A. Moraga and his associates.

The article describes a study, the objective of which was to determine the effect of Ginkgo biloba in preventing acute mountain sickness (AMS) at an altitude of 3696 meters (12,126 feet) in participants without high-altitude experience. Thirty-six persons who reside at sea level were transported by ground transportation over 8.5 hours to an altitude of 3696 meters. The study participants were divided into three equal groups of 12 persons each. One group received Ginkgo biloba in a dose of 80 milligrams every 12 hours by mouth, one group received acetazolamide (Diamox, a drug commonly used to hasten acclimatization to altitude or to treat AMS) in a dose of 250 milligrams every 12 hours by mouth, and the final group received a placebo (e.g., no active drug). Each group began its treatment 24 hours before ascending and continued treatment during the 3-day stay at altitude. A standard Lake Louise Questionnaire was administered to determine the Self-Report Score, which is an accepted method for determining the presence and degree of AMS. In addition, selected physiological measurements were taken.

The results are the most compelling data to date supporting the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba in prevention of AMS. The group taking the Ginkgo biloba had no increase in their AMS score (which is remarkable), while the acetazolamide and placebo groups showed increases of 36% and 54%, respectively. The authors concluded that their study provides evidence supporting the use of Gingko biloba in the prevention of AMS, demonstrating that 24 hours of pretreatment with Gingko biloba and subsequent maintenance during exposure to high altitude are sufficient to reduce the incidence of AMS in participants with no previous high-altitude experience.

No doubt, others will attempt to replicate this investigation. If the results are corroborated, then Ginkgo biloba may prove to be a very useful adjunct in the prevention and treament of AMS."

Ginkgo biloba plant image courtesy of www.artofbonsai.org

Here is more background info on Ginko Biloba from a very trusted medical website, MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginkgo-biloba/NS_patient-ginkgo) followed by their official stance on its use effectiveness in preventing Altitude Sickness.

"Background

Ginkgo biloba has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it is one of the top selling herbs in the United States.

Ginkgo is used for the treatment of numerous conditions, many of which are under scientific investigation. Available evidence demonstrates ginkgo's efficacy in the management of intermittent claudication, Alzheimer's/multi-infarct dementia, and "cerebral insufficiency" (a syndrome thought to be secondary to atherosclerotic disease, characterized by impaired concentration, confusion, decreased physical performance, fatigue, headache, dizziness, depression, and anxiety).

Although not definitive, there is promising early evidence favoring the use of ginkgo for memory enhancement in healthy subjects, altitude (mountain) sickness, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and reduction of chemotherapy-induced end-organ vascular damage.

Although still controversial, a recent large trial has shifted the evidence against the use of ginkgo for tinnitus.

The herb is generally well tolerated, but due to multiple case reports of bleeding, should be used cautiously in patients on anticoagulant therapy, with known coagulopathy, or prior to some surgical or dental procedures.

Altitude (mountain) sickness

A small amount of poorly designed research reports benefits of ginkgo for the treatment of altitude (mountain) sickness. Additional study is needed before a recommendation can be made."

I am still undecided at this point, but feel that Ginko Biloba maybe worth trying, since at proper doses it does not see to be detrimental, and hey, if it helps with dementia, it may be a good idea anyway!