Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee, I'm wondering if the information that I heard is true, that aspirin and ginkgo biloba taken together can cause a stroke? My Dad is taking both to prevent a stroke. Should he change his ways? Are you aware of this warning, I believe it came from Dr. Dean Edell. Signed, Please Advise Dear Please Advise, The popularity of ginkgo biloba has been due to its being advertised as helping memory, Alzheimers, or dementia via it's "blood thinning" ability due to decreased platelet aggregation, thus increasing blood circulation. However, there has not yet been sufficient scientific evidence to prove these claims. There are two major types of strokes, 1) ischemic stroke (due to blockage of a blood vessel in the brain), and 2) hemorrhagic stroke (due to a ruptured blood vessel in the brain). Agents that decrease platelet aggregation can reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, but, they can increase bleeding from a hemorrhagic stroke. There have been warnings against using ginkgo biloba extract. Ginkgo biloba may interact with other anticoagulants or anti-platelet agents, such as aspirin, and increase the risk of hemorrhage. Always be seen by your physician before taking any medications, including herbal remedies. For more information, see www.rxlist.com |
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| Diet and Nutrition: Food and Drink for Health |