How does garlic lower high blood pressure and cholesterol?
Sunday, June 27th, 2010 at
5:44 AM
How does garlic lower high blood pressure and cholesterol?
What Biological/ Physiological mechanism does garlic have that improves High Blood Pressure and Lower Cholesterol?
Filed under: Potassium Questions
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Garlic is NO substitute for medical attention when it comes to high blood pressure or any other medical condition. If you suffer from or suspect you suffer from high blood pressure, it is important that you see your doctor.
That said garlic has quite a reputation for helping people control blood pressure. Research shows that garlic may in fact reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure!
“In a study, when people with high blood pressure were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced. Eating quantities as small as one clove of garlic a day was found to have beneficial effects on managing hypertension.”(1)
Various studies on garlic have shown benefits for many other disorders such as cancer, immune problems and diabetes. Many people believe garlic is the end-all cure for just about anything including the common cold.
So how does one actually consume one raw clove of garlic a day? It’s easier than you think. Here are some suggestions:
Finely minced a clove and sprinkle on your salad
Mix with cold pasta and vegetables
Use as a dip with hot bread. Mix olive oil, spices and garlic
Mix with mayo and use on your next sandwich
Just use your imagination….
Of course, if you are unable to consume raw garlic you can always take the garlic pills. Although raw is always better.
So what exactly does garlic do?
“Garlic dilates the muscles of blood vessels, which helps in lowering blood pressure. It consists of a compound called adenosine, which helps in vasodilation and is also a muscle relaxant. Although, both raw and cooked garlic can benefit blood pressure, raw garlic is more potent and benefits faster. Garlic also interferes with the formation of blood clots and helps in reducing cholesterol. It not only helps lower the risk of colon, gastro intestinal tract and stomach cancers but also improves immunity and prevents gas formation.” (3)
“It appears, according to research that the beneficial effects of garlic on blood pressure come more from the garlic sulphides than from allicin. Unlike allicin, garlic sulphides are not destroyed by cooking.”(2)
A study from Stanford University casts doubt on the effectiveness of garlic to lower LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels in adults with moderately high cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is widely known as "bad cholesterol," and is believed to be a leading contributor to heart disease.
Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., and colleagues conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial studying whether three different formulations of garlic could lower LDL cholesterol. The study participants were randomly divided into four groups to receive raw garlic, a powdered garlic supplement, an aged extract supplement, or a placebo.
The 169 participants who completed the study had their cholesterol levels checked monthly for the duration of the 6-month trial. None of the formulations of garlic had a statistically significant effect on the LDL cholesterol levels.
The authors caution that these results should not be generalized for all populations or all health effects. An accompanying editorial in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine points out that LDL cholesterol levels are only one factor contributing to heart disease, and that this trial did not investigate garlic’s effects on other risk factors, such as high blood pressure.
You should read some articles in the medical journal and you mmight find other pertinent infomration in regards to your concern or you can ask your physician who is an even more reliable source.
I always thought that garlic thins the blood like onions also garlic dilates the muscles of the blood vessels which may help with blood pressure with a natural compound it has.
I think it can help with lots of heath benefits so to eat or take capsules of garlic can only benefit health but not a saviour of a person with blood pressure. I hope this helps.
Hi Ivonne B,
Research studies have found a link between the right type and amount of garlic and a lower blood pressure. The average reduction in systolic (top number) blood pressure was ~5-8 mm Hg. Garlic is linked to a reduction in diastolic blood pressure, but the decrease isn’t large enough to be statistically significant.
Garlic contains many components that may be responsible for this decrease in blood pressure.
Natural ACE inhibitors
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Adenosine
Allicin
These components promote arterial dilation, which means a widening of the arteries, to make blood flow easier and lower blood pressure.
Studies indicate 10,000 mcg of allicin are needed daily to result in a lower blood pressure. To gain 10,000 mcg of allicin you’d need to consume 4 cloves or 4 grams of garlic daily.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure - http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/naturalwaystolowerbloodpressure.html