Vertigo

Overview

Ginkgo carries the strongest evidence among supplements for vertigo, with medium ratings across five studies. Daily leaf extract at 120–160 mg for about three months may reduce vertigo and balance problems for certain inner ear and blood vessel-related causes, performing better than placebo and possibly as well as betahistine.

Vitamin D, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Ginger carry low ratings. Vitamin D with calcium reduced vertigo recurrence by 27% in one large study, though whether vitamin D, calcium, or both was responsible is unclear. Ginger eased dizziness and nausea before a vertigo test but did not reduce nystagmus. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Ginkgo	★★★★★	Medium
Vitamin D	★★★★★	Low
Ginger	★★★★★	Low
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

4 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

GinkgoView supplement →

Consider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeMediumEvidenceHighTrustHigh

Evidence Review

Taking ginkgo leaf extract daily (120–160 mg) for about 3 months can reduce vertigo and balance problems, especially for certain inner ear and blood vessel-related causes.
It works better than placebo and may be as effective as the drug betahistine.
Combining ginkgo with balance exercises does not seem to improve results.
There is not enough evidence to say if ginkgo helps vertigo caused by brain artery disease.

Browse 5 studies

RCTEffectiveness and safety of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE50) in the treatment of dizziness caused by cerebral arteriosclerosis: a multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial2022n=404

In a multicenter double-blind RCT of 404 patients with arteriosclerotic dizziness, Ginkgo biloba extract GBE50 for 6 weeks improved TCM symptom scores similarly to the active comparator.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 6 weeks
Population: Dizziness patients
Participants: 404

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RCTBalance Training With Vibrotactile Neurofeedback and Ginkgo Biloba Extract in Age-Related Vertigo2021n=20

In a 12-week RCT of 20 older adults with vertigo, balance training plus Ginkgo biloba EGb 761 80 mg twice daily improved balance and dizziness versus training alone.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 80 mg 2×/day
Population: Older adults
Participants: 20
Ages: 60+

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Ginkgo biloba extract: mechanisms and clinical indications2000

A narrative review concluded Ginkgo biloba may help cognitive and vascular symptoms in some conditions, but clinical evidence remained mixed across indications.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Dementia patients

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Controlled trialGinkgo biloba (EGb 761) in the treatment of equilibrium disorders1998n=44

In an open controlled study of 44 patients with vascular vertigo, Ginkgo biloba EGb 761 80 mg twice daily and betahistine 16 mg twice daily similarly improved vertigo over 3 months.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 3 months
Dose: 80 mg 2×/day
Population: Vertigo patients
Participants: 44

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RCT[Treatment of equilibrium disorders with Ginkgo biloba extract. A multicenter double-blind drug vs. placebo study]1986n=70

In a 3-month double-blind RCT of 70 patients with vertigo of undetermined origin, Ginkgo biloba extract reduced vertigo intensity and frequency versus placebo (47% vs 18% symptom-free).

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 3 months
Population: Vertigo patients
Participants: 70

View on PubMed

Vitamin DView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is not clear if taking vitamin D by mouth helps people with vertigo.
Studies show that people with lower vitamin D in their blood have a higher chance of getting a type of vertigo called BPPV.
However, it is unknown if taking vitamin D supplements lowers this risk.
One large study found that taking vitamin D and calcium together twice daily for a year reduced vertigo coming back by 27%.
It is not clear if this was due to vitamin D, calcium, or both.

Browse 2 studies1 meta-analysis

MetaAssociation between vitamin D deficiency and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) incidence and recurrence: a systematic review and meta-analysis2024n=9,843

A meta-analysis of 9,843 participants found vitamin D deficiency associated with higher benign paroxysmal positional vertigo incidence and recurrence in Northern Hemisphere countries.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 9,843
Ages: 18+

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RCTPrevention of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with vitamin D supplementation: A randomized trial2020n=532

A 1-year multicenter RCT in 532 BPPV patients found vitamin D 400 IU plus calcium 500 mg twice daily reduced vertigo recurrence versus observation.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 1 year
Dose: 500 mg 2×/day
Population: Patients
Participants: 532

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Alpha-Lipoic AcidView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is unclear if alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) helps with vertigo when taken alone.
Studies have only tested it as part of a combination product.
In people with a type of vertigo called BPPV and low vitamin D levels, taking a supplement with ALA 600 mg and other ingredients including vitamins and minerals for 6 months slightly lowered how often vertigo came back.
But in people with normal vitamin D levels, a similar supplement without vitamin D didn’t reduce vertigo relapses.
It’s not known if ALA itself helped.

Browse 1 study

RCTPrevention of Recurrent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: The Role of Combined Supplementation with Vitamin D and Antioxidants2022n=128

In 128 high-recurrence BPPV patients, only those with low vitamin D receiving combined alpha-lipoic acid, carnosine, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin D3 had significantly fewer relapses over 6 months.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8–10 weeks
Dose: 600 mg/day
Population: Adults
Participants: 128
Ages: 18–85

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GingerView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

In one small study, taking 1 gram of ginger before a vertigo test helped reduce dizziness and nausea compared with a placebo.
However, it did not reduce the eye movements (nystagmus) linked to vertigo.
This means ginger may ease some symptoms but is not proven to treat vertigo itself.

Browse 1 study

RCTVertigo-reducing effect of ginger root. A controlled clinical study1986n=8

In 8 healthy volunteers, ginger root significantly reduced caloric-stimulation-induced vertigo scores versus placebo; nystagmus duration was not significantly affected.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 8

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Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 4 supplements for vertigo (9 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Ginkgo	★★★★★68%	5	0	56%
Vitamin D	★★★★★48%	2	1	22%
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	★★★★★44%	1	0	11%
Ginger	★★★★★44%	1	0	11%

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Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

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