Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is promoted
as a miracle nutrient and the world’s most ancient, versatile and enjoyable
medicine. Garlic has been used for the prevention and treatment of an impressive
range of diseases from plague to heart disease and cancer. Garlic is rich in
vitamins and antioxidants and garlic extracts are fashionable nutrient
supplements. The principal active ingredient is allicin, a sulphur containing
component that, with its breakdown products gives garlic its smell. Garlic’s
putative cardioprotective effects include: 1. Lower high blood cholesterol. 2.
Control high blood pressure. 3. Has antiplatelet activity thus prevents
solidification of blood. 4. Has fibrinolytic action thus dissolves clogged
blood. 5. Antioxidant property. Much of the research, especially on the control
of heart disease risk factors, has been presented at international meetings,
and few studies have been presented in peer-reviewed journals. The best evidence
is on the use of garlic for the treatment of high cholesterol. In one study
garlic powder could reduce cholesterol level by 0.6 mmol/L in the treated
group. A meta-analysis documented a 9% net reduction in the total cholesterol
concentration attributable to garlic. Another similar study noted a greater
effect, a 12% lowering of total cholesterol in the garlic treated group, which
was apparent after 1 month of therapy and persisted for at least 6 months. Some
evidence of blood pressure lowering property of garlic have been noted in few
studies but the mechanism is yet unknown. It is presumed that garlic has got a
very small role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. At this stage, the
evidence does not support use of garlic powder for cardioprotection. Further
well-designed controlled studies are required to increase our confidence on
garlic.
