Does garlic help with high cholesterol?

Garlic is a herb that has been used for centuries to prevent and treat various health conditions. Some people believe that garlic may help lower high cholesterol levels, but is there any truth to this claim? In this article, we will explore the evidence behind garlic’s potential effects on cholesterol and whether it can be an effective natural remedy.

So What Exactly is Cholesterol?

Before diving into how garlic affects high cholesterol, let us first define what cholesterol is. Cholesterol refers to a type of fat found in your blood that your body needs to function properly. However, when you have too much “bad” or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol compared to “good” or HDL (high-density lipoprotein) such as triglycerides circulating in the bloodstream, over time it deposits onto artery walls causing them to clog which could lead to serious health consequences including stroke or heart disease.

Garlic: A Brief Introduction

Garlic belongs to the same family as onions and shallots – allium family- where its bulbous part contains around 4gm of carbohydrates mainly consisting of fructose whilst containing very low amounts of fats and proteins making up just about .9g each per bulb. One raw regular-sized clove has approximately five caloriesalong with fiber content less than one gram but packs compounds like allicin (organic sulfur compound) which espouses antioxidant properties causing reduction in chronic inflammations alongside being antimicrobial [1]. Interestingly enough allicin only gets activated upon breaking/slicing/chewing/mincing until then it remains dormant within intact cloves until subjected against disturbance!

The Claim That Garlic Helps Lower Cholesterol

Historically speaking ancient Greeks had stumbled upon benefits brought forth by crushing garlics thus now supported by many studies suggesting lowered risk factors due in part from daily consumption [2]. Whereas Indian Ayurvedic medicine touts it as aphrodisiac, anti-flatulent, and expectorant properties [3] . In modern days, we know that garlic has several potential health benefits. Some people believe that garlic may help lower high cholesterol levels.

Garlic’s Potential Effects On Cholesterol

The active ingredients in garlic responsible for its supposed health benefits are sulfur compounds called thiosulfinates (most notably Allicin) which is believed to have many medicinal properties including antimicrobial activity along with antioxidant promotion of nitric oxide release resulting in vasodilatory effects leading to reduction of blood pressure [4]. However these same compounds can also play a role in reducing the harmful LDLs despite increased consumption having mostly modest reductions around 0.39 mmol/L at most but every little bit counts or so they say!

The Mechanism Behind Garlic’s Effect on Cholesterol

The mechanism behind how garlicky compunds lower cholesterol however is still quite uncertain yet partly due towards how no known definitive answer exists regarding said herbs molecular influence upon this intricate bodily function. One theory hypothesizes it increases liver enzyme involvement contributing towards breakdown/recycling cycle via high-density lipoproteins aiding removal from circulation even whilst causing decreased hepatic de novo synthesis amidst modulation of expression GSH-related enzymes – aiding oxidative stress responses/immunomodulation influences by reportedly promoting HDL formation whilst downregulating IDL(Intermediate-deanisty-lipoproteins). All critically interconnected which show promise but further research still ongoing regardless fo dogmatic claims made exist such as ‘garlic will indefinitely cure your hyperlipidemia’! (oh if only)

What Does Science Say?

There have been numerous clinical studies conducted over the years to examine whether or not garlic can truly reduce cholesterol levels. These studies use different methods such as randomized control trials where one group was given a placebo whilst other had regular supplementation dose pills containing allicin. controlled blinded intake thereof [5] The results of these studies have been mixed, and it is still unclear whether garlic can lower cholesterol.

One small study conducted in 2013 showed that regular consumption (around a gram daily for three months) was effective in bringing down LDL while increasing HDL whilst simultaneously lowering systolic_bp levels amongst otherwise healthy adults[6]. Other researchers suggest use of aged garlic extracts may affect reducing some biomarkers relating to obesity with reports showing effectiveness dependent on dosage\time-commitment put into medicating[7].

How Much Garlic Do You Need?

As the jury is still out towards exactness surrounding amount recomended through research done thus far ,it would not hurt incorporating more edibly raw or cooked sources your dietary intake which has shown little side effects when maintaining moderate consistent doses up to six cloves per day or equivalent roughly around two grams fresh fortified varieties one might prefer using advised (supplemental versions especially) only upon doctors consultancy due towards possibility interacting negatively medicines taken by subject engaging ingestion such as NSAIDs blood thinners certain antifungal/anti-bacterial antibiotics having no-nos enzymatic induceable substrate profile characteristically leading affects drug availability efficacy precautions considered prior digestion thereof.[8]

Raw Garlic vs Supplements

Whilst many advocate eating whole foods/carbulized form products since chemicals compounds within said substance seen highest concentration could potentially impact human physiology greatly other types modified from original source depending differentiated usage overall chemical make-up can promote varying efficiency negative impacts given methodical transformations documented- particularly over long term duration [9].

Basically what this means if you’re trying reduce cholesterol via supplementation perhaps educate self-options available ! Taking supplements containing odorless deodorized concentrate powder should be fine but also look out for manufacturing standards/brand credibility certification etc citing attributes being evident!

Conclusion

Does garlic help lower high cholesterol? While there is limited evidence supporting its beneficial effects on lipid profiles, most studies suggest only marginal improvements- which whilst helpful particularly when considering alongside other healthy lifestyle modifications, shouldn’t be relied upon as a standalone cure for severe high cholesterol. As such it’s safe to say that garlic alone may not be the silver bullet solution one hopes for even though has shown promise! So incorporate more into your diet; cook with garlic boost flavor whilst simultaneously adding to wellbeing[10].

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