Garlic's health care function

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Perhaps the world's best example of a medicinal food, garlic is one of the most intensively studied herbs in natural medicine today.

An impressive collection of results from both clinical and laboratory studies point out the protective value of garlic against the leading diseases of the modern world, including heart disease, cancer, and infectious diseases. While it is still unclear exactly how garlic works, researchers agree that few herbs - or foods - fit so well into an overall strategy for health promotion.

Primary uses of Garlic

Lowering cholesterol levels

Lowering blood pressure
Cancer prevention
Treating infection
Enhancing immune function
Antioxidant effects

Garlic was prized for its antimicrobial effects long before microbes were even discovered. French priests of the Middle Ages used garlic to protect themselves against bubonic plague, now known to be a bacterial infection. During World War I, European soldiers prevented infection by putting garlic directly on their wounds. Nearly every culture has used garlic for general health and longevity, from ancient Chinese to colonial Americans. Today, garlic is one of the best selling preventive medicines in Europe, where it is accepted as safe and effective by both medical authorities and government officials.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Some of the most popular traditional uses of garlic have been for colds, flu and other infections, earaches, vaginal yeast infections, and high blood pressure. Modern research has focused on four main areas: heart disease, cancer, infectious disease, and antioxidant effects. The effects of garlic on cardiovascular health have been studied for more than 30 years. Garlic reduces cholesterol levels, raises the level of healthy high-density lipoproteins, and has antiplatelet or "blood thinning" effects -- important factors in preventing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Garlic also appears to lower blood pressure directly.

The newest area of garlic research involves its cancer-preventive properties. One large study drew a direct correlation between consumption of garlic and other Allium vegetables (such as onions) and a 40% decrease in the rate of stomach cancer. A 1994 study in 41,000 women showed that one or more servings of garlic a week was associated with a 35% decrease in risk of colon cancer - the most significant decrease of all 127 foods studied. In other studies, garlic interfered with the development of a number of different types of tumor cells. Garlic also appears to have immune-stimulant, antioxidant, and liver-protective benefits, although these effects have not yet been as well studied.

Using Garlic

In clinical studies, both raw and cooked garlic have shown health effects, although cooking destroys the ability of garlic to produce allicin. Most people prefer to take garlic in the more convenient forms of concentrated supplements, including tablets, capsules, and "perles" of garlic oil. Both dietary garlic and various garlic supplements have demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials, but much more study may be needed to discover which is "best". Some reseachers believe that in order to provide the same benefits as fresh garlic, garlic tablets should be enteric coated so that important compounds are not destroyed by stomach acids.

Garlic supplements vary considerably in strength. Some manufacturers make specific claims about the allicin-yield or the amount of allicin-releasing potential of their extracts. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer for substantiation of the benefits of the dosage they recommend for their product. The health benefits of garlic are associated with regular and long-term use. Garlic and other herbs should be used as part of an overall health-promoting strategy that includes proper diet, exercise, and risk-reduction.

Serious medical conditions (such as active heart disease) are not appropriate for self-diagnosis or self-medication and require the supervision of a qualified health care provider. Consult your doctor, educate yourself, and use caution when practicing self-care.

Side Effects and Cautions

Garlic appears to be safe for most adults.

Side effects include breath and body odor, heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions. These side effects are more common with raw garlic.

Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) in a manner similar to aspirin. This effect may be a problem during or after surgery. Use garlic with caution if you are planning to have surgery or dental work, or if you have a bleeding disorder. A cautious approach is to avoid garlic in your diet or as a supplement for at least 1 week before surgery.

Garlic has been found to interfere with the effectiveness of saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection. Its effect on other drugs has not been well studied.

Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

2011-05-16