Our
Garlic Benefits Guide
The health
benefits and medicinal properties of garlic been known for at least 3,000
years. It has the reputation of being very effective in ridding the body of
everything from the common cold to the flu. It has always been used
extensively in herbal medicine, but only recently has garlic benefits been
acknowledged by modern science.
Garlic is now widely available as supplements in the form of powder
capsules—ideal for people who don't want to get that notorious ‘garlic
breath.’ Read on for just a few of the many garlic benefits.
1. Garlic has antioxidant and antibacterial/antibiotic properties
One of the most commonly known garlic benefits is its anti-bacterial and
antioxidant properties. Garlic is a powerful antioxidant—it helps protect
the body against damage from free radicals. It also has antibacterial
properties, protecting against bacterial and fungal infections. It is used
by some people to treat acne and minor wounds. Garlic can also be effective
as a natural mosquito repellent.
2. Garlic benefits the cardiovascular system
According to a study made by Adesh K. Jain, M.D., of the Clinical Research
Center and Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, garlic
benefits include lower blood levels of "total" cholesterol. It particularly
lowers the dangerous low-density lipoprotein (LDL) form. In fact, a 12-week
study showed an average of 6% drop of cholesterol levels among 20 men and
women taking garlic tablets.
More
garlic benefits were established in another study made by H. Kieswetter, M.D.,
of the University of Saarlandes, Hamburg, Germany. Garlic was found to be a
natural blood thinner. It was also concluded that garlic has the ability to
help lower blood pressure because it contains natural ACE inhibitors—an
enzyme related to increase in blood pressure. In the study, patients
suffering from blood clots in the legs—known as peripheral arterial
occlusive disease—were able to walk farther without pain, thanks to garlic.
3. Garlic Protects Against Cancer
Benjamin Lau, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher at the Loma Linda University School
of Medicine, noted in his paper ‘Molecular Biotherapy’ that garlic "is one
of the most ancient of plants reputed to have an anticancer effect. As
recorded around 1550 B.C., in the Ebers Papyrus, garlic was used externally
for the treatment of tumors by ancient Egyptians and internally by
Hippocrates and Indian physicians." He identifies three ways by which garlic
can protect against cancer: (a) by boosting the immune system and
efficiently helping the body in fighting cancer cells, (b) by directly
inhibiting the metabolism of tumor cells metabolism, and (c) by preventing
cancer cells from initiating and reproducing.
Some reminders
The Food and Drug Administration board does not regulate the manufacture and
sale of garlic supplements. To ensure that the product contains the right
amount of ingredients and that it does not contain any known contaminants,
it is advisable to choose a manufacturer that strictly complies to GMP
standards, as outlined by the FDA.
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