Garlic

[Twilight]

[bottom Line Secrets]

The Truth About Garlic

 

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Here are the claims that you can trust…

 

Garlic is one of the most exhaustively researched herbs—the National Library of Medicine’s Web site lists more than 3,700 studies addressing garlic’s effect on everything from elevated cholesterol and various types of cancer to fungal infections.

 

So why is there still so much confusion about the health benefits of garlic?

 

Even though garlic has been used medicinally by some cultures for thousands of years, much of the contemporary research on garlic is mixed—some studies show that it has positive effects, while others indicate no significant benefits.

 

Here’s what the research shows…

HEART HEALTH

 

Over the years, scientists have investigated garlic’s ability to reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure and act as an anticlotting agent to prevent blood platelets from being too sticky—a main cause of heart attack.

 

Key scientific finding: A recent meta-analysis in China looked at 26 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials—the “gold standard” in scientific research. In that meta-analysis, researchers concluded that garlic reduces total cholesterol by 5.4% and triglyceride levels by 6.5% compared with a placebo. Garlic powder and aged garlic extract were found to be the most effective at lowering total cholesterol, while garlic oil had a greater effect on lowering triglyceride levels.

 

When it comes to high blood pressure, some credible research shows that garlic can help lower it.

 

Important scientific findings: Two meta-analyses showed that garlic reduced systolic (top number) blood pressure by 8 mmHg to 16 mmHg and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure by 7 mmHg to 9 mmHg in people with high blood pressure.

 

As for garlic’s antiplatelet effect—that is, its ability to make blood less sticky and therefore less prone to clotting—a meta-analysis of 10 trials showed a modest, but significant, decrease in platelet clumping with garlic treatment when compared with placebos in most of the studies.

 

Bottom line: Garlic does help reduce risk for cardiovascular disease, with positive effects on both total cholesterol and blood pressure. It also has enough of an effect on clotting that I recommend patients discontinue garlic supplements seven to 10 days before surgery because it may prolong bleeding.

 

My advice: If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, ask your doctor about using garlic (in food or supplements) as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Be sure to consult your doctor first if you take a blood pressure or statin drug.

CANCER

 

Large population studies have shown that people who live in countries where a lot of garlic is eaten—as well as onions and chives—are at lower risk for certain cancers.

 

Key scientific findings: In China, high intake of garlic and other alliums, including onions, was associated with a reduced risk for esophageal and stomach cancers. Specifically, the study found that people who ate alliums at least once a week had lower incidence of both forms of cancer than people who ate these foods less than once a month.

 

Meanwhile, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, which involves 10 different countries, found that higher intakes of garlic and onions lowered the risk for intestinal cancer.

 

My advice: If you are concerned about cancer—especially if you have a family history or other risk factors for stomach or esophageal cancer—include one to two cloves of garlic in your diet each day.

INFECTIONS

 

Historically, garlic has received attention as a potent antibacterial agent. In 1858, Louis Pasteur touted garlic as an antibiotic. Garlic was later used in World War I and World War II as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene.

 

Bottom line: There have been few contemporary studies looking at the use of garlic to treat infections. However, preliminary research suggests that it may reduce the frequency and duration of colds when taken for prevention and may speed the healing of a fungal infection or wart.

 

My advice: For most people, garlic is worth trying as a preventive/treatment for these infections (see options described below).

SHOULD YOU USE GARLIC?

 

It’s wise to make garlic part of a healthful diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber.

 

Caution: Consuming large quantities of garlic—either in the diet or as a supplement—may cause body odor and/or bad breath. Chewing a sprig of fresh green parsley, mint or cardamom can work as a breath freshener. Hot tea also can help by rinsing away garlic oil still in your mouth. Drinking a glass of milk—full-fat or fat-free—may be effective as well. Garlic, especially on an empty stomach, can cause gastrointestinal upset and flatulence.

 

Because garlic may also interact with certain prescription drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin), consult your doctor before significantly increasing your intake of the herb if you take any medication or have a chronic medical condition.

 

Options to consider…

 

Raw garlic. If you prefer raw garlic, try eating one or two cloves a day. You can chew and swallow it or use it in pesto, guacamole or a salad dressing. Cooked garlic is less powerful medicinally—heat inactivates the enzyme that breaks down alliin, the chemical precursor to allicin.

 

Aged garlic extract (AGE). If you prefer liquid, AGE is available in this form, which is popular in Europe. Follow label instructions.

 

Powdered garlic supplements. These are typically sold as capsules or tablets and standardized to contain 1.3% alliin. They usually contain 300 mg. Typical dose: Two or three capsules or tablets a day.

FACTS ABOUT GARLIC

 

Garlic has been used since ancient times as a medicinal remedy. It is a member of the allium family of plants, which also includes onions, chives and leeks. Garlic’s medicinal powers are attributed to its sulfur compounds, including a substance called allicin, which is formed when garlic is crushed or chopped. Besides fresh cloves, garlic is available in supplement form made from fresh, dried, or freeze-dried garlic, garlic oil and aged garlic extracts.

 

Source: Ellen Tattelman, MD, director of the faculty development fellowship at the Residency Program in Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. She is an assistant professor of family and social medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, also in New York City, where she organizes the integrative medicine curriculum. Dr. Tattelman specializes in a variety of integrative modalities, including herbal therapy and nutrition.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

.................... and THAT is why I LOVE Garlic!

use it in cooking just about every day and sometimes, are you ready, I just cook it and eat it all alone AND I mean that both ways

[Twilight]

I do not think there is another single vegetable - if that is the correct term-

that is so good for a person. I love that these wonderful bulbs are being

remembered for the good things they did 100 years and more ago- medicine can not compete!

[The WE2's]

Added several bottles of "garlic gel caps" to my OTC's. When my late husband complained of an ear ache, I looked and found his ear to be flame red and swollen almost shut...had a badly infected ear, I pierced a caplet with a needle, squeezed the oil into his ear canal (yes it stinks!) and put a piece of cotton in it. Within a couple of hours the pain was gone and next morning ear was back to normal. Garlic oil is a wonderful antibiotic. I keep a squeeze bottle in my frig (cooking quality) as well as the gel caps in my medicine cabinet, and have used it numerous times as a treatment for my own ears, as a precaution. Used it also on my new hubby when he had a bit of an ear ache. Just passing my own experience along with the use of garlic oil.

[Carie]

Thank you for this info! Where do you get the garlic gels caps? Just wondering...and the liquid garlic? I use garlic powder and buy minced garlic in a jar. I need to learn to grow it. Do you suppose that I could grow it in pots in the winter?? Just wondering outloud. My poor tired brain is working double overtime tonight. lol

[coastygirl]

Hi Carie---I grow garlic. I plant it in the fall (mid sept-mid oct) and I harvest it in july/ august. It has a very long growing season. I don't think you will have success with growing it in a pot. It really likes the good ol ground. A full sun area.

[The WE2's]

Thank you for this info! Where do you get the garlic gels caps? Just wondering...and the liquid garlic? I use garlic powder and buy minced garlic in a jar. I need to learn to grow it. Do you suppose that I could grow it in pots in the winter?? Just wondering outloud. My poor tired brain is working double overtime tonight. lol

 

From Philbe...I bought the liquid garlic (food grade) at my local health food store and it must be kept refrigerated. The gel caps you can find in your favorite vitamin aisle...but I ordered mine through Puritans Pride (they're an oline company). They have sales where if you buy one bottle of something, you can get 2 or 3 free. I also buy alot of others things through them because of the sales.

Edited November 8, 2012 by Philbe

[Cowgirl]

Garlic is spectacular. We eat a lot of it. I use a full bulb of garlic on a pizza. In fact, almost any time I cook anything with garlic, I don't use just a clove, but at least a full bulb! It is a marvelous healing herb, delicious seasoning, and healthful food.

 

I have also made garlic tinctures to treat skin infections, with great success.