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Are garlic supplements a friendlier way of reaping the health benefits without sacrificing your breath (and your close friends)? Unfortunately not.
While proponents of garlic claim that it is a panacea for a variety of ailments, the supplements may not be all that they're wrapped up to be. Researchers are investigating the relationships between garlic and its potential role in:
lowering cholesterol
promoting healthy circulation
maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system
reducing blood clotting
preventing breast, colon, and other cancers
How does garlic help?
Garlic contains a compound, called allicin, which is formed when a clove of garlic is crushed. Allicin is believed to be the active ingredient responsible for the benefits attributed to garlic. However, a recent analysis of some garlic supplements found that most of the supplements contained insignificant amounts or none at all.
Will garlic supplements help you lower your cholesterol or maintain a healthy circulation or cardiovascular system?
While some short-term studies found that garlic supplements were able to lower cholesterol levels by about 10 percent, longer-term studies concluded that people who took garlic supplements for at least 6 months did not. Researchers are unsure whether the cholesterol lowering effects of garlic end after 3 months or if there is a difference in the study design which contributed to the discrepancy between the short and long- term studies.
Will garlic supplements reduce blood clotting?
Proponents of garlic supplements claim that they are beneficial in reducing blood clots. Blood clots can cause heart attacks or stroke if they get stuck in a partially clogged artery. Some studies have shown that garlic supplements may cause blood platelets to take longer to clump together, ultimately forming less blood clots and potentially reducing the incidence of blood clotting. However, the evidence is too limited in most studies to draw any firm conclusions about whether the supplements can actually prevent the blood clots. Either way, since garlic MAY interfere with clotting, individuals taking blood thinners, such as Coumadin, should inform their doctor if they are taking garlic supplements or consuming fresh garlic every day.
Will garlic supplements help to prevent breast, colon, and other cancers?
While there is some evidence that garlic may help prevent breast, colon, and other cancers in laboratory animals, the evidence isn't very convincing for humans. One reliable study showed that subjects who took garlic supplements were just as likely to get breast, colon, stomach, or lung cancer as those who did not take the supplements.
Bottom line
The bottom line is that there have not been enough convincing studies to prove that garlic supplements lower cholesterol, prevent heart attacks, strokes, cancer or blood clots. Furthermore, while garlic supplements appear to be safe, anyone on blood-thinning medications should let their doctor know if they are taking or want to take garlic supplements. Our advice? Eat garlic because you like the flavor, the smell or are just trying to scare someone away with your breath - but at this point, don't bother with the supplements.
While proponents of garlic claim that it is a panacea for a variety of ailments, the supplements may not be all that they're wrapped up to be. Researchers are investigating the relationships between garlic and its potential role in:
lowering cholesterol
promoting healthy circulation
maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system
reducing blood clotting
preventing breast, colon, and other cancers
How does garlic help?
Garlic contains a compound, called allicin, which is formed when a clove of garlic is crushed. Allicin is believed to be the active ingredient responsible for the benefits attributed to garlic. However, a recent analysis of some garlic supplements found that most of the supplements contained insignificant amounts or none at all.
Will garlic supplements help you lower your cholesterol or maintain a healthy circulation or cardiovascular system?
While some short-term studies found that garlic supplements were able to lower cholesterol levels by about 10 percent, longer-term studies concluded that people who took garlic supplements for at least 6 months did not. Researchers are unsure whether the cholesterol lowering effects of garlic end after 3 months or if there is a difference in the study design which contributed to the discrepancy between the short and long- term studies.
Will garlic supplements reduce blood clotting?
Proponents of garlic supplements claim that they are beneficial in reducing blood clots. Blood clots can cause heart attacks or stroke if they get stuck in a partially clogged artery. Some studies have shown that garlic supplements may cause blood platelets to take longer to clump together, ultimately forming less blood clots and potentially reducing the incidence of blood clotting. However, the evidence is too limited in most studies to draw any firm conclusions about whether the supplements can actually prevent the blood clots. Either way, since garlic MAY interfere with clotting, individuals taking blood thinners, such as Coumadin, should inform their doctor if they are taking garlic supplements or consuming fresh garlic every day.
Will garlic supplements help to prevent breast, colon, and other cancers?
While there is some evidence that garlic may help prevent breast, colon, and other cancers in laboratory animals, the evidence isn't very convincing for humans. One reliable study showed that subjects who took garlic supplements were just as likely to get breast, colon, stomach, or lung cancer as those who did not take the supplements.
Bottom line
The bottom line is that there have not been enough convincing studies to prove that garlic supplements lower cholesterol, prevent heart attacks, strokes, cancer or blood clots. Furthermore, while garlic supplements appear to be safe, anyone on blood-thinning medications should let their doctor know if they are taking or want to take garlic supplements. Our advice? Eat garlic because you like the flavor, the smell or are just trying to scare someone away with your breath - but at this point, don't bother with the supplements.
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