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Ginkgo for UC

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Posted 9/30/2007 3:43 PM (GMT -6)
I was watching a program the other night on alternative medicines and they mentioned that Ginkgo was one of the few herbals that's actually been tested and proved to work for some things. They didn't mention UC, but did talk about it preventing blood clots and it being an anti-inflamatory.

Because people with UC are more suseptible to blood clots, I was wondering if it would be beneficial to take it. They also did some studies with rats that showed improvement in the mucosal lining of the colon when given Ginkgo. I'm just wondering if it would be a good or bad thing to take though because if it thins the blood, could it cause us to bleed more. If anyone has any info or experience with Ginkgo and UC I'd love to hear it. Thanks.
Posted 9/30/2007 5:01 PM (GMT -6)
Hi..I've not ever heard/read that UCers are prone to blood clots.  There is a form of colitis called ischemic colitis..not related to UC, however.  Maybe there's a connection to prednisone use?

I found a good site on it, however, that you might find helpful.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginkgo-biloba-000247.htm

I would caution to maybe not take it if one is on high fish oils or vitamin E.

quincy

 

Posted 9/30/2007 7:36 PM (GMT -6)
Last time I went into the GI and mentioned that I was on progesterone, he sort of looked at me and told me that I can't take any sort of hormone because one of the risks of UC is the possibility of blood clots and any hormones can increase that risk.

As for the Gingko, I have used in the past and found that it did help me with my fibro fog immensely and it didn't affect my Uc one way or the other. But like any supplement, this should be approved by your doctor to be sure it's safe to take with any other medications/supplements.
Posted 10/1/2007 12:23 AM (GMT -6)
Well, hush mah mouth....I read up on it and yes it says they can happen in UC....why exactly, it doesn't say...just that it tends to be more in the pelvis and lower extremities. Must do more reading..

Thanks for the heads-up!

I hope the 5ASA would help prevent them..lol!

fromBC..definitely run it by the doc regarding mixing of meds and Ginkgo.

quincy
Posted 10/1/2007 5:08 AM (GMT -6)
LOL Heather - you know, I never knew the risk either until about 6 months ago. Strange eh? If you find out more, let us know ok?
Posted 10/1/2007 10:14 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks all! My GI told me that people with UC can become hypercoagulative...no reason given though. He tests my platelets every few months.

I'm going to my GP today for something unrelated to UC, but will ask him. I'm sure he'll roll his eyes at me like he usually does. Ginkgo has been studied for years though, so he can't say it's wooh wooh type stuff...LOL. I'll let you know what he says.
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