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Home >
Research Department
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Supplement Articles
> Garlic |
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Supplement Articles |
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GARLIC
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
If you love garlic you'll
be happy to know your heart
loves it too ... |
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GARLIC |
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Garlic has been
proven to reduce
cholesterol |
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Garlic is a popular
herb in the kitchen
as well as the
medicine cabinet.
Their sulphur
compounds, alliin
and allicin, have
been well studied
for their
pharmacological
activity.
Garlic has many benefits for
cardiovascular health.
Garlic intake is shown to
decrease levels of LDL
cholesterol, the cholesterol
responsible for cholesterol
plaques and the storage of
fat, and triglycerides. |
Garlic also increases levels
of HDL cholesterol, which is
responsible for moving
stored fat to the liver for
processing and excretion
from the body. HDL
cholesterol protects against
plaque formation.
Garlic preparations
also lower blood
pressure and improve
blood circulation.
Thus garlic can be
used to prevent
stroke and heart
attack. Garlic
has beneficial
effects on blood
sugar. Insulin
is released from the
pancreas, in
response to sugar
intake. It
allows the intake of
glucose by the cells
as a fuel source.
Without insulin
sugar stays in the
blood, and cells
become starved for
energy, as happens
in the condition
diabetes.
Eventually the
pancreas becomes
worn out and does
not produce as much
insulin or the
body’s cells become
intolerant after
years of high
insulin levels.
Garlic can increase
the release of
insulin and help the
body’s cells respond
to insulin.
Garlic’s sulphur
compounds are also
antimicrobial
against bacteria and
fungi.
Therefore garlic may
be used to treat
colds, yeast
infections and help
individuals who have
low immune
functioning.
Garlic is a
medicinal food
because the active
ingredients are
present in the clove
in sufficient
quantities to have
some medicinal
effects. The active
sulphur compounds
are sensitive to
heat, and most are
destroyed by the
cooking process, so
raw garlic is best.
Garlic supplements
are found as
encapsulated herb,
tablets and aged
extracts (oils). If
the social aspect of
eating garlic is a
problem, odourless
garlic extracts are
available in
capsules. Although,
some people say that
the garlicky body
odour and breath
decreases if use
garlic regularly.
Garlic products
should be
standardized as an
assurance of the
amount of sulphur
compounds they
contain. There
are many types of
garlic supplements,
choose the best one
for you and consider
combination products
that target your
particular needs.
Garlic can be found
in combination
products for immune
boosting,
cholesterol control,
blood pressure
regulation, heart
health, etc.
Garlic, when used as
a food, has very few
side effects. Most
side effects and
cautions are
relevant only when
garlic supplements
are used. Garlic
contains volatile
sulphur components
(they give it the
characteristic odour)
that have blood
thinning and blood
sugar decreasing
properties. Garlic
supplements should
be used with caution
by diabetics,
hypoglycemics,
individuals with low
blood pressure and
individuals on blood
thinning medication,
including aspirin,
or
anti-hypertensives.
For the same reason,
garlic supplements
should be
discontinued prior
to surgery or dental
work. Garlic
can theoretically
decrease thyroid
functioning by
blocking the uptake
of iodine in the
gastrointestinal
tract. |
Garlic–
QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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·
Bulb. |
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APPLICATIONS |
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Bacterial or
fungal
infections,
heart
disease,
hypertension,
high
cholesterol. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
Capsules 800-1200mg daily, equivalent to 1200mg of fresh garlic or
standardized
to 4mg
allicin
potential.
Aged extract
600-1800mg
daily,
standardized
to contain
1mg/g S-allyl
cysteine.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Echinacea,
goldenseal,
vitamin C,
niacin,
coenzyme
Q10.
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
Garlic can
cause
burning
stomach pain
and diarrhea
in sensitive
individuals.
·
Garlic
should not
be used with
blood
thinners and
should be
discontinued
2 weeks
prior to
surgery.
·
Individuals
who use
blood sugar
regulating
medication,
insulin or
high blood
pressure
medication
should use
garlic with
caution.
·
Very high
levels of
garlic
consumption
can decrease
thyroid
functioning. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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