Ginkgo

A leaf extract from a Japanese tree, ginkgo has primarily been used as a supplement to improve brain function and prevent memory loss. The jury is still out as to the effectiveness of ginkgo as a memory aid, but what promise does ginkgo hold for weight loss? Well, not much.

Research

The claims by some diet pill companies that ginkgo aids in weight loss is simply not supported by research at all. The claim is that it helps reduce anxiety (as an anxiolytic) which is then supposed to help you lose weight. In response to the claim, one study said that:

“Gingko may have some effect on stress and therefore theoretically help in cases where obesity is due to stress-related overeating. However, there is no available evidence to support this.” (( Eggar, et al. (1999). The effectiveness of popular, non-prescription weight loss supplements. The Medical Journal of Australia, 171:604-608.))

Another source also showed that ginkgo’s claims to aid in wieght loss aren’t backed by any scientific evidence as of yet. ((http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginkgo.html))

Conclusion

While ginkgo may help with your memory retention, it’s not going to do anything for you in terms of weight loss. So if you’re forgetting where you left your diet pills, sure, give ginkgo a try. But if you’re trying to lose weight, just realize that those lost diet pills need not have ginkgo in them. Thumbs down.