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Q.What is Ginkgo biloba? What is BioGinkgo 27/7?

A. Ginkgo biloba is the oldest living tree species and can be traced back more than 200 million years. Today, Ginkgo biloba extract is one of the most widely used botanicals in the world and the focus of extensive scientific research, including over 400 published studies and reports to its credit.

BioGinkgo 27/7 is a high potency Ginkgo formula that promotes memory and concentration. BioGinkgo 27/7 may help stimulate memory and concentration and overall circulation to the brain, arms and legs.

Q. What ingredients are there in BioGinkgo 27/7?

A. BioGinkgo 27/7 provides an exclusive, patented high potency Ginkgo biloba extract. Each tablet contains 60 mg of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract

Q. Who should take this BioGinkgo 27/7?

A. BioGinkgo 27/7 is recommended for adults who would like to stimulate memory and concentration and overall circulation to the brain, arms and legs.

Q. How does BioGinkgo 27/7 work?

A. The pharmacology of ginkgo biloba, particularly the terpene lactones, the gingkolides and bilobalide, may be related to antagonism of the actions of platelet activating factor (PAF). PAF, a small molecule that binds to specific receptors on platelet surfaces, initiates platelet aggregation, one of the first steps in blood clotting. Studies have shown that ginkgolides, by inhibiting binding of PAF to its receptors, improves blood circulation to the brain and other tissues. Ginkgolide B has shown to be the most potent PAF-inhibitor (ten times more potent) with the longest duration of action in comparison to all other ginkgolides. Current scientific evidence supports the notion that the antioxidant properties of the flavone glycosides and the antagonism of PAF by ginkgo extracts, particularly the terpene lactones, act in concert to produce a health related effect.

Q. Why is BioGinkgo 27/7 unique?

A. Manufacturing standards are strictly followed to ensure the creation of a supplement with pharmaceutical-like quality. The ingredients in BioGinkgo are standardised with known content, uniform consistency, and ingredients are provided at clinically significant levels. BioGinkgo 27/7 is currently the only Ginkgo biloba product on the market that delivers the maximum concentrations of all active compounds as specified by the German monograph standards. The German Commission, one of Europe's most respected herbal standard authorities, has defined the active components of Ginkgo biloba 50:1 extract as 22-27% flavonoid glycosides, and 5-7% terpene lactones.

Q. How are the ingredients in BioGinkgo 27/7 standardised?

A. BioGinkgo 27/7 is an exclusive extra strength preparation of Ginkgo biloba leaf (50:1) extract standardised to scientifically supported rations of 27% ginkgo flavone glycosides and 7% terpene lactones. Active compounds of each batch of Ginkgo biloba leaves are stringently analysed by HPLC to control the concentrations of flavonoid glycosides (as measured by the percentage of ginkgolide A, B, C, and bilobalide content). Additionally, each batch is then tested against fifteen other quality criteria including heavy metal residue solvent, ginkgolic acid and microbial content.

Q. How is BioGinkgo 27/7 manufactured?

A. Pharmanex contracts with only the top few growers producing the highest quality Ginkgo leaves available in China. Pharmanex BioGinkgo 27/7 is manufactured using a proprietary 23-step extraction and washing process that takes two weeks and requires approximately 100 kg of leaves to yield 2 kg of high quality extract. BioGinkgo 27/7 is subject to strict quality control procedures from harvest to consumer to guarantee the most advanced Ginkgo biloba food supplement available.

Q. Is there anyone who should not use BioGinkgo 27/7?

A. This product is not intended for use by children. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a doctor before using this product. Before taking this product, please check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking prescribed medications.

Q. Does Pharmanex have a patent on Bio Ginkgo 27/7?

A. Yes. U.S. Patent number 6,174,531, issued on January 16, 2001, covers both preparation methods as well as actual product composition. The research that led to the patent was a collaborative effort between the U.S. and Chinese scientific communities.

Among the preparation methods covered by the patent, one of particular importance involves an extraction process. Applied to Ginkgo biloba leaves, the process yields increased amounts of one set of key ingredients, commonly referred to as the terpene lactones, along with one particular chemical component known as ginkgolide B. As a result, increased levels of ginkgolide B in BioGinkgo demonstrate improved biological activity, generating a more potent product. References to this enhanced activity have appeared in studies published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals including Planta Medica ("The Bioavailability of Ginkgolides in Ginkgo biloba Extract," Planta Medica, vol. 63, 1997). In addition, this newly patented process is more environmentally friendly, as it avoids the use of hazardous solvents.

Another process covered under the patent applies to the production of desired ratios of key ingredients, accomplished through their controlled blending following extraction. These ratios preserve the natural balance between the flavone glycosides and the terpene lactones (ginkgolides). The patent also protects the method by which the undesirable ginkgolic acids are removed.

To find the BioGinkgo patent, follow these steps:
1. Go to www.uspto.gov
2. Click on 'search patents', a link found in the center of the page.
3. Click on 'patent number search', a link found on the left side of the page.
4. Type the BioGinkgo patent number '6,174,531' in the query field.
5. Click on the patent link to view the information.