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Does Garlic Help With High Cholesterol

Garlic Doesn’t Help High Cholesterol

Garlic: Does It Prevent Cancer and Lower Cholesterol

Garlic doesnt do much for the breath and it stinks for lowering cholesterol. Thats the conclusion of the most rigorous, head-to-head study of raw garlic and popular garlic supplements, despite promoters claims to the contrary.

Whether it was eaten raw in heart-healthy sandwiches, or in pills made of powdered or aged garlic, the strong-smelling herb had no effect on cholesterol in people whose levels were already elevated, the government-funded study found.

If garlic was going to have a chance to work, it would have worked in this study, said researcher Christopher Gardner. But it didnt.

Garlic is a longtime folk remedy for a variety of ills, including heart disease, cancer, infections and even mosquito bites. Scientific research on its purported benefits has had conflicting results. Some previous studies suggested garlic might help lower risks for digestive and prostate cancers, or might reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels others found no benefit.

Health benefits have been thought to come from a sulfur-containing substance called allicin that is released when raw garlic is chopped or crushed. In lab tests, it can be applied directly to cells and has been shown to prevent cholesterol production.

But any direct benefits to the body from allicin may be diluted when garlic is eaten, said Gardner, an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University.

The study appears in Mondays Archives of Internal Medicine.

Supplement Myth #: Fish Oil Does Wonders For Heart Health

While some physicians recommend the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil capsules for patients, several recent clinical trials have put the supplements star status into question, says Seth Martin, M.D., a cardiologist and associate professor at John Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. Results showed that fish oil failed to reduce cardiovascular risk and actually increased the risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke over time, says Martin.

How Does Garlic Help

Numerous theories and discussions have proved that the intake of garlic can improve cholesterol conditions in humans.

There are many studies that prove that garlic consumed in raw form can lower CVD risk.

Those who consumed garlic regularly showed decreased LDL-C and triglyceride levels.

Consuming half to one clove daily may lower cholesterol levels by about 10%.

Garlic can be consumed raw as a supplement

It can be used in cooking

On the other hand, there are alternate theories doing the rounds which do accept and acknowledge benefits of including garlic in ones diet but they believe that the effects and results last short term. Meaning garlic may reduce LDL cholesterol but only for a limited span of time. And that garlic may not be as beneficial as it has been believed to offer.

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More Reasons To Love Garlic

Garlics benefits dont just stop with the heart. Here are some other reasons why your body may appreciate an extra dose of this onion family member.

Cancer prevention

Research suggests eating fresh garlic may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. The Iowa Womens Health Study showed that women who regularly included garlic in their diet had a 35% reduced risk of developing colon cancer. However, researchers agree that more studies are needed in this area.

Antimicrobial properties

Garlic contains the antimicrobial allicin, which can help fight off pathogens and bacteria. While all members of the onion family have some form of this antimicrobial, garlic has the highest amount.

More information is needed to determine if there are any possible bacteria-fighting effects of garlic. However, a 2018 study showed that garlic essential oil might help fight Lyme disease bacteria.

Fighting the common cold

Some studies suggest eating garlic helps ward off the common cold. It may also help reduce overall symptoms and shorten your bout with the coughs and runny noses associated with colds.

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Garlic For High Triglycerides

Can Garlic Help to Lower Cholesterol?

Fact Checked

Garlic isn’t just for bad breath. As a supplement, the stinky herb has been studied as a treatment for conditions related to heart disease, including high triglyceride levels in the blood. Evidence to support garlic’s effectiveness for this use is lacking, however. Consult your doctor before using garlic to treat a medical condition.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

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Is It True That Garlic Can Lower Cholesterol

Garlic is a plant closely related to leeks and onions. It is known for its distinctive odor and is also known as the stinky rose. It is best known for the flavor it adds to a variety of foods.

Garlic also contains a chemical called allicin, which has been shown to kill bacteria and fungi and relieve certain digestive disorders. It also decreases the clotting properties of blood. However, garlic has received the most attention in recent years because of its potential to help lower cholesterol levels.

How Much To Take

According to a clinical trial published in the NIH U.S. National Library Of Medice, to decrease cholesterol and LDL levels, the following is recommended:

AGE 2400 mg daily for 1 year or twice daily).

Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract is one of the most reputable and reliable brands to use. It can be purchased here on Amazon.

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Normal Cholesterol Levels For Men And Women

Cholesterol levels are expressed in milligrams per deciliter . Normal cholesterol levels are up to 200 mg/dl, but the lower, the better.

Ideal HDL levels or good cholesterol is 60 mg/dl or higher, but 50 or higher for women and 40 or higher for men is also acceptable.

Additionally, healthy LDL or bad cholesterol levels are less than 100 mg/dl or below 70 if you have coronary artery disease.

Normal levels of triglycerides are less than 149 mg/dl, but < 100 is ideal, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults age 20 or older check their cholesterol levels every four to six years. People with certain risk factors for high cholesterol or heart disease should check their cholesterol levels more often.

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important. High cholesterol is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and events such as heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and coronary heart disease. Its also linked to high blood pressure and diabetes.

Chew A Clove Of Garlic

Does GARLIC Lower Cholesterol?

The first remedy is the simplest of the 3 to lower cholesterol with garlic. However, theres one slight drawback you have to eat raw garlic.

Many people prefer to swallow the clove or parts of it to avoid its taste and odor. However, this study shows that this can reduce its effectiveness, compared to eating it chewed or crushed.

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Why Use Garlic Pills Instead Of Garlic

As we all know, garlic is widely known as the stinking rose because of its pungent smell. The smell of garlic can be very irritating and the taste of garlic is also very strong and unpleasant. It is necessary to cook your garlic if you need to get rid of its unpleasant smell and odor. Garlic pills are a solution to the pungent odor and taste of garlic as the pills are free of odor and taste. Cooking can also be very time-consuming for busy people, so the consumption of pills is the easy way. The garlic pills can serve all the benefits of garlic itself.

But when buying a garlic pill, make sure that the pill is all-natural and doesnt contain any chemical substances in it. Garlic pills are easily available on many e-commerce platforms and local pharmacy stores.

Many studies suggest that garlic may be beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels in the body, but further research is needed to determine whether garlic can be used as a long-term strategy for lowering cholesterol levels. Even though the majority of garlic pills on the market are natural and safe, seeking medical consultation before taking any medications assures that it is safe for you.

Salsa Pico De Gallo And More

Forget about mayo or ketchup. Get out your chefs knife and start chopping. Throw together fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, and other heart-healthy ingredients for fresh dips that make snacking healthier.

Be careful with store-bought salsa, which is often high in sodium. You may need to closely monitor your sodium intake if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.

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How To Consume Garlic To Lower The Cholesterol And High Blood Pressure

Consuming garlic is not something new anymore because it is often applied to a lot of foods. So, we would not have any problems on how to process garlic to be consumed every day. Consuming it from the garlic soup can still be a good yet simple idea for getting its benefits. Still, there are so many ways to lower the cholesterol and high blood pressure. One of the ideas is by making the fruits and vegetables smoothies which are mixed with one or two cloves garlic. One of the ideas is by making smoothies from fresh frozen pineapples and mustard leaf which are mixed with garlic. You can mix and match it with any kinds of fruits and vegetables you like for getting the different flavors. If you want to consume it in single way, you can take one or two clove garlic and slice it thinly. Then you can mesh them and make a ball of garlic. Then, you can swallow it directly. You can do that twice a day regularly to get the perfect and best result. That will be a good way for getting the healthier body by getting the better and stable blood pressure and blood circulation and also the lower level of cholesterol. There is also the simpler idea to get the benefits of garlic, especially for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, which is by consuming natural supplements that consist of garlic, for example Choleslo.

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Things You Need To Know About High Cholesterol

A Natural Alternative To Statins: Combining Lemon Juice And Garlic ...

If youve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, its important to improve your lifestyle habits as soon as possible. The perfect combination is healthy eating and exercise. At the same time, you should quit smoking and minimize the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Some suggestions that may inspire you to improve your eating habits are the Harvard plate and the Mediterranean diet. However, the most important thing is to follow the recommendations of your treating physician.

Experts at the Spanish Heart Foundation have some recommendations:

  • Substitute whole milk products for skimmed milk products, butter for olive oil, and fatty meats for lean meats with little fat
  • Saturated fat should be reduced. Furthermore, they recommend reducing it to less than 10% of the diet.
  • Eat more oily fish
  • Intake of less than 7% of polyunsaturated fats
  • Limit monounsaturated fat to 15-20% of the diet
  • Consume less than 300 mg of cholesterol, 50-55 % of carbohydrates, and 15 % of proteins
  • In addition, 20-30 g of fiber and enough calories to maintain an adequate weight

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Does Garlic Reduce Cholesterol Levels

ELLEN TATTELMAN, M.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York

Am Fam Physician. 2005 Jul 1 72:103-106.

Garlic has long been used medicinally, most recently for its cardiovascular, antineoplastic, and antimicrobial properties. Sulfur compounds, including allicin, appear to be the active components in the root bulb of the garlic plant. Studies show significant but modest lipid-lowering effects and antiplatelet activity. Significant blood pressure reduction is not consistently noted. There is some evidence for antineoplastic activity and insufficient evidence for clinical antimicrobial activity. Side effects generally are mild and uncommon. Garlic appears to have no effect on drug metabolism, but patients taking anticoagulants should be cautious. It seems prudent to stop taking high dosages of garlic seven to 10 days before surgery because garlic can prolong bleeding time.

Garlic has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Sanskrit records show its medicinal used about 5,000 years ago, and it has been used for at least 3,000 years in Chinese medicine. The Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans used garlic for healing purposes.1 In 1858, Pasteur noted garlics antibacterial activity, and it was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during World War I and World War II.2

11,20,21

Garlic May Reduce Blood Clotting

One more perk of garlic for your heart health: Compounds in garlic have been shown to decrease the stickiness of our platelets and have anti-clotting properties, says Bazilian. These things may help guard against atherosclerosis, a process in which plaque buildup leads to a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. Per the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, atherosclerosis increases your risk for blood clots that can cause heart attacks and stroke. Of course, eating garlic shouldnt be the only preventive measure you take to protect your arteries. The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute recommends following a heart-healthy eating plan, getting plenty of exercise, managing your weight, and avoiding or quitting smoking.

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Garlic Does Not Lower Cholesterol: Study

By Andrew Stern

3 Min Read

CHICAGO – Eating garlic raw or in supplement form does not lower bad cholesterol levels, despite widespread health claims for the pungent plant bulb, researchers said on Monday.

A garlic farmer sits with his produce in northern Spain during the Annual Garlic Festival, July 18, 2000. Eating garlic raw or in supplement form does not lower “bad” cholesterol levels, despite widespread health claims for the pungent plant bulb, researchers said on Monday. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan

It just doesnt work, said Christopher Gardner of the Stanford Prevention Research Center in California. Theres no shortcut. You achieve good health through eating healthy food. There isnt a pill or an herb you can take to counteract an unhealthy diet.

Some of the claims that garlic lowers cholesterol emanate from laboratory experiments but there is no proof it reacts in the body the same way, Gardner wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine. In test tubes and some animal subjects the compound released from crushed garlic, allicin, has been found to inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol.

But in Gardners study of 192 subjects who had slightly elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein , the so-called bad cholesterol that tends to clog arteries, garlic had no impact.

Gardner said other health claims ascribed to garlic — that it strengthens the bodys immune system and combats inflammation and cancer — needed to be studied, too.

Three Reasons A Heart Loves Garlic

Eat garlic to lower your bad LDL cholesterol

Research shows that garlic has many different health benefits, including some that can help your heart.

  • Garlic is an excellent source of antioxidants, which can help fight infection and cell damage.
  • Several studies have shown that garlic can help lower blood pressure.

When it comes to lowering your cholesterol and improving heart health, there are a lot of foods that can help. But if youre looking for a way to add flavor to a dish while also helping your heart, garlic may be the answer.

Some studies have shown that garlic and garlic supplements may have positive effects on heart health by preventing cell damage, regulating cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. Other research shows that garlic supplements may also reduce plaque buildup in the arteries.

Dont let something like a little garlic breath scare you away from this superfood. Here are a few benefits to adding garlic or garlic supplements to your diet:

1. Helps boost your immune system and protect cells

Our bodies need antioxidants to help prevent or slow cell damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can be naturally occurring in the body or can come from external sources such as radiation exposure, smoking, air pollution or chemicals. Too many free radicals can lead to oxidation stress, a condition linked to chronic illnesses, including heart disease.

2. Helps lower your blood pressure

3. Helps combat atherosclerosis

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How Can I Lower Elevated Cholesterol Naturally

We should maintain our cholesterol to healthy levels. Elevated cholesterol significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as coronary events and atherosclerosis.

Current medical practice includes the prescription of medication such as statins. Certainly, statins are pretty efficient in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. But, these drugs may cause adverse effects, such as muscle weakness, neuropathy, cognitive dysfunction, and even increased risk of diabetes.

Thus, reducing slightly elevated cholesterol without drugs is a better option. Following a healthy, well-balanced diet, while limiting saturated fats, can significantly lower cholesterol.

The main sources of saturated fats are dairy and meet. Hence, limiting animal-based foods could lower cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 13g, or 120 calories, of saturated fats a day.

For instance, just a glass of whole milk contains about 5g, while a beef steak may contain more than 10g of saturated fat, respectively.

On the contrary, consuming in moderation other types of fat, naturally present in vegetable oils, seeds, and nuts, may help lower cholesterol and protect the heart.

Moreover, quitting smoking, starting moderate exercise, and losing weight could help you lower elevated cholesterol.

Above all, you should consult your physician, though. Especially, before taking any supplement or drastically changing your diet.

How Long Does It Take For Garlic To Lower Cholesterol

Taking garlic for six weeks can lead to a subtle improvement in cholesterol levels. Significant improvements require longer intake. Ideally, you should take garlic for four months to obtain much-needed benefits.

Of course, your diet and other factors also play a role in this aspect. If youre not sure how long to take garlic to lower cholesterol, you may want to consult your doctor or a dietitian or nutritionist.

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