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Garlic
Aka: Garlic, Allium sativum, Allicin
- History
- Used in ancient medicine as far back as 5000 years ago
- Mechanism
- Active ingredient: Thiosulfinates (e.g. Allicin)
- Alliin converted to Allicin by alliinase enzyme
- Alliinase released when Garlic crushed or chopped
- Alliinase deactivated by heat and Stomach acid
- Therefore Allicin most active in raw, fresh form
- Efficacy: Well supported benefits
- Moderate lipid lowering effect (initial)
- Total Cholesterol may be reduced 4-6% initially
- Longterm benefits are unclear
- Stevinson (2000) Ann Intern Med 133:240-9 [PubMed]
- Antihypertensive effect
- Lowers SBP up to 7 mmHg
- Lowers DBP up to 5 mmHg
- Ackermann (2001) Arch Intern Med 161:813-24 [PubMed]
- Efficacy: Variable benefits
- Decreased risk of thrombosis and atherosclerosis
- Decreased Stomach Cancer and Colon Cancer risk
- Decreased infection risk
- Adverse Effects
- Halitosis and altered body odor
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Flatulence
- Precautions
- May prolong Bleeding Time
- Stop 7-10 days before surgery
- Dosing
- Raw Garlic: 4 grams (1-2 cloves) daily
- Dried powder (enteric coated) 300 mg bid to tid
- Aged Garlic extract 7.2 grams daily
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Drug Interactions
- May decrease drug levels of agents transported by P-Glycoprotein
- References
- Asher (2017) Am Fam Physician 96(2): 101-7 [PubMed]
- Tattelman (2005) Am Fam Physician 72:103-6 [PubMed]