More Good News for Garlic

Several studies have shown that aged garlic extracts can protect against hardening of the coronary arteries by preventing a build-up of calcium. Researchers have now found that garlic extracts also inhibit, and may even reverse, the ‘soft’ furring up due to an accumulation of fatty plaques – at least in people with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome affects an estimated 20% of Western populations, and is associated with abdominal obesity, raised triglycerides, low ‘good’ HDL-cholesterol, high fasting blood glucose levels and/or high blood pressure. It’s not a good syndrome to have as it doubles your risk of a heart attack or stroke. As a result, around one in two people with coronary artery disease are also diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome.

Journal of Nutrition
In the latest study, fifty-five people with metabolic syndrome (aged 40 to 75 years) were randomly assigned to take either 2400 mg aged garlic extracts per day, or placebo for 12 months. Similar numbers in each group were also taking a lipid lowering statin drug and/or blood pressure medication. Participants had their coronary arteries assessed by multi-slice CT scanning (coronary computed tomography angiography) at the start of the study and again one year later.

In those who’d taken the aged garlic extract, total plaque accumulation was slowed by 80%, and the degree of measurable soft plaque actually reduced by -1.5%. In those taking placebo, however, the degree of plaque present increased by +0.2% as their arterial disease continued to progress despite all the medications they were on.

More research is needed to assess the extent to which the prevention of new plaque formation seen by taking aged garlic extracts can decrease the actual risk of experiencing angina or a heart attack. However, according to the researchers, this study indicates that aged garlic extracts have the ability to stabilize atherosclerosis by reducing the amount of ‘soft’ plaque in a similar way to statin therapy. Suggested mechanisms include the known cholesterol-lowering and blood-pressure lowering effects of garlic as well as its ability to reduce inflammation.

A review published in the same issue searched the medical literature for all evidence relating to effects of garlic supplements on heart disease risk factors.

The conclusion was that garlic supplements can:
reduce blood pressure by 7–16 mmHg (systolic) and 5–9 mmHg (diastolic)
reduce total cholesterol by 7.4–29.8 mg/dL (0.19 – 0.77 mmol/L).

In an accompanying press release, lead researcher Dr Matthew Budoff says, ‘…four randomized studies have led us to conclude that aged garlic extracts can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis and reverse the early stages of heart disease.’

Exciting news – especially for those who are unable to tolerate statin therapy. I take a garlic tablet every night and may even increase my dose! As always, do check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking a supplement if you are on any prescribed medication.

NB The aged garlic extracts (Kyolic) used in this study were prepared by soaking sliced raw garlic in alcohol for 20 months at room temperature during which the ‘smelly’ components such as allicin were converted to more powerful, but less odoriferous antioxidants such as s-allyl-cysteine. The extract was then filtered and concentrated.

Article courtesy of Dr Sarah brewer’s website : http://drsarahbrewer.com/

DrSarahBrewer
Dr Sarah Brewer qualified from Cambridge University with degrees in Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery. After working in general practice, she gained a master’s degree in nutritional medicine from the University of Surrey. Sarah is a licensed Medical Doctor, a Registered Nutritionist and a Registered Nutritional Therapist. She is an award winning author of over 60 popular self-help books and the editor of YourWellness magazine.

THE SMALL PRINT
We hope you are enjoying the site, please note The –Boomers site has been prepared solely for information purposes. Users are advised to seek independent financial advice or in the case of health related content –consult your GP or medical professional. All information, opinions expressed on the The-Boomers are current as of the date of publication, but may become out of date over time. No liability and/or guarantee of performance is accepted or offered. The opinions expressed in The-Boomers do not constitute investment advice or health advice or any other form of advice; independent advice should be sought where appropriate. Articles are supplied strictly without accepting any liability, responsibility or duty of care for their services, content, or links to other subsequent related or unrelated material. The Site contains general information only and does not take into account the individual health issues /objectives or the individual financial situation/objectives or needs of a person or persons. Please see our Terms & Conditions for further information.