Garlic has been used by mankind for health enhancement for centuries. One of the earliest known reference to garlic as a medication is found in the Ebers Papyrus dating from the 15th century B. C., an Egyptian archaeological artifact listing 22 remedies using garlic. Other ancient writings from Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Phoenicia, India and China reveal garlic's integral place in man's medicinal wisdom of hers and specs from ages past. Today garlic is recognized by many conventional and alternative health care providers as truly important herbal medicine.
What Is Garlic's Most Recognized Use Today?
Garlic offers a significant reduction in the risk for heart by its ability to improve total cholesterol levels and its ability to develop a more favorable ratio between the two types of cholesterol known as "good cholesterol,' or high density lipoprotein (HDL) and "gad cholesterol," or low density lipoprotein (LDL). According to numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, patients with elevated cholesterol using commercial garlic preparations providing at lest 4000 micrograms of allicin, can realize a 10 to 12 percent reduction in total cholesterol. The ideal ratio between LDL and HDL can be better realized since garlic, provides on average a 15 percent reduction in the "bad' cholesterol of LDL and on average a 10 percent increase in the "good" cholesterol of HDL. In the matter lowering blood pressure, garlic has demonstrated a significant effect in animals and humans. The range of reduction for systolic pressure, the upper number in your doctor's report, is 20 t0 30 millimeters.
Inappropriate blood clotting is a very important consideration since it can lead to a heart attack by plugging a coronary artery of lead to stroke by plugging a brain artery, or lead to a life threatening blood clit in the lungs. Normally, the body maintains a balance between coagulation and the reversal of coagulation. When it is appropriate, coagulation of clotting can save our lives. However, as we grow older and develop arteriosclerosis, there is a greater risk for inappropriate blood clots to form. Garlic is able to improve the balance, even with the greater risk of growing older. In this way, garlic provides a more natural alternative to taking ASA each day, which is used to lower the risk on inappropriate clotting. However, if your physician has prescribed daily ASA, you should discuss garlic' added blood thinning before using it in addition to ASA or other blood thinners.
And finally, garlic can reduce the risk of forming arteriosclerosis, the formation of blockages to blood flow, by prevention inappropriate oxidation of the LDA cholesterol. Scientists are confident that LDL oxidation is a central factor in the development of blocked arteries and that garlic can reduce the risk of oxidation. In this way, garlic is like many other natural substances that have an antioxidant effect such as vitamin E and grape seed extract.
What Are Other Benefits Of Garlic Use?
Regular use of garlic supplementation has been associated with reduced risk of cancer, enhanced control of blood sugar for diabetics, and enhanced immune performance. Garlic has demonstrated a significant capacity to inhibit Candida albicans, the yeast responsible for yeast infection. Garlic has shown itself to be equal or better than nystatin, gentian violet, and other reputed antifungal agents.
What Is The Recommended Dosage?
Commercial products should supply a dose of at least 10,000 micrograms of alliin or a total allicin of at least 4000 micrograms. This amount is equal to approximately 4 grams or one clove of fresh garlic. Use according to manufacturers' recommendations.
Are There Adverse Effects?
Garlic is nontoxic to the vast majority of users at recommended dosages. Some have found garlic's sulfur compounds to irritation and either resolves the matter by taking with food, or discontinuing altogether. Using garlic according to manufactures' recommendations is mot associated with toxicity. Those using pharmaceutical blood thinner or frequent ASA should not use garlic without discussing usage with their physician. Those planning an operation should avoid heavy garlic consumption to prevent post operative bleeding. Diabetics using insulin or oral diabetic medication should discuss garlic use with their physician since garlic lowers blood sugar. Those who are prone to hypoglycemia should use with caution since garlic can produce significant blood lowering effect.