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Garlic Supplements Originally published in Natural Living Magazine Garlic was already an established and trusted remedy when the Greek physician Hippocrates included it in his list of favourite herbal medicines. In fact, ancient records indicate that the pungent herb was one of man's earliest medicines dating back some 5,000 years. Through this long period of history, a pattern of effective uses emerged which served to guide modern researchers in the 20th century. For example, the Greek physician Dioscorides, who lived in the 1st century A.D., wrote of Garlic: "It doth clear the arteries." Science has now validated this claim by proving that Garlic does indeed lower cholesterol and triglycerides as well as help to reduce clot formations (thrombi) in the blood. Numerous studies done within the last 20 years verify four main activities or modes of action for Garlic: 1) Cholesterol-lowering 2) Anti-thrombotic 3) Mild but broad-spectrum antibiotic 4) Anti-cancer potential (specifically, the lowered risk of colon and urinary/bladder cancers) In 1994, the American Journal of Epidemiology published the results of a five year study on the incidence of distal colon cancer in 41,400 Iowa women. Of 127 foods with anti-cancer potential which were eaten on a weekly basis, Garlic produced the greatest protective benefit. Its benefit was significantly greater than that of a number of foods believed to have strong anti-cancer potential including broccoli and other vegetables containing sulphur. Even more surprising was the amount of Garlic needed to produce this protective effect; as little as one clove a week was associated with a 35% decrease in colon cancer. Garlic, then, is a wise choice as a protective food. Unfortunately, many people are unwilling to eat Garlic often because of the strong odour on the breath and even on the skin of those that try to make it a part of their daily diet. Modern odour-controlled and odourless Garlic supplements in tablet and capsule form can reduce or eliminate Garlic's strong odour; unfortunately, the vast majority of research indicates that Garlic's most important benefits are tied to the main odour-causing principle, Allicin. If this compound is eliminated, then much of Garlic's benefit is lost as well. Faced with the scientific fact that allicin and certain secondary compounds are important, yet mandated by consumer demand for "odourless" Garlic supplements, Garlic manufacturers have spent years trying to produce a Garlic supplement that will meet both needs. The result is a confusing array of products all claiming to be "the best garlic on the market." Science can help consumers to sort out facts from marketing hype. The July/August 1995 issue of the Nutrition Action Health Letter (a publication of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest) covered several issues that consumers should be aware of in choosing a Garlic supplement: - In order to produce a high quality garlic product, one must start with a high quality raw garlic. - Allicin, once thought to be so unstable that nothing could stop its immediate degradation to inactive compounds, is actually more stable than originally thought. In fact, dry powdered Garlic has Allicin-producing potential. - Enteric coating allows a properly produced Garlic tablet to bypass stomach acid and deliver higher potency Garlic to the small intestine; thus, enteric coating is a desirable product feature. - Aging a Garlic product to reduce or eliminate odour appears to rob Garlic of its most valuable properties. - A product that will deliver 4,000-5,000 mcg of Allicin in the daily dose without exorbitant cost should be considered a best buy! Last but not least is the discovery that Garlic consumption is inversely proportional in producing benefits to wellness. In other words, the more Garlic one eats, the lower the risk of serious illness. This is one of the best arguments for Garlic supplementation as a regular part of the daily diet. Most of us won't eat enough Garlic in our food to deliver the protection we desire, so choosing a Garlic supplement for the whole family is being "pill-wise." By Michael Corrigan, Master Herbalist     <back to Natural Living Magazine Online Archive Directory>

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