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HerbalEGram: Volume 7, Number 1, January 2010
Blumenthal's Letter to NBC Nightly News Regarding Recent Ginkgo Coverage
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To the News Director of NBC Nightly News:
Regarding your program's coverage of the recent publication by Snitz, et al in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, please be advised that Brian Williams' statement that Ginkgo biloba "flat out doesn't work" is highly erroneous. Such a sweeping statement serves only to confuse and mislead the public.
Without getting into a discussion on the significant weaknesses of the ginkgo publication in JAMA on which the correspondent reported, it should be realized that ginkgo has numerous safe and effective clinical applications, beyond the possibility that it may or may not prevent cognitive decline and the onset of Alzheimer's dementia in people whose average age is 79, the average age of subjects in the study population.
A growing body of randomized controlled clinical trials demonstrate the effectiveness of Ginkgo extract in, not only treating symptoms associated with cognitive decline and early stages of Alzheimer's dementia, but also improve walking distance in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (i.e., intermittent claudication), among other documented uses.
With all due respect to Mr. Williams and his editorial team, to state that ginkgo "flat out doesn't work" without adequately and appropriately qualifying such a statement is erroneous, misleading, and irresponsible journalism.
We respectfully suggest that a correction be published and are willing to provide additional confirmatory data upon request.
Sincerely,
Mark Blumenthal
Founder and Executive Director, American Botanical Council
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