There are several factors that play into decreasing the immune system especially around the winter months. However, do not despair for super potent garlic is here! Garlic is a well-researched superfood with lots of immune boosting activity, protecting and defeating cancer cells, and working as an effective antibacterial and antiviral source too!
Immune system
Garlic is effective in a variety of ways, and has shown clinical evidence for enhancing immune function. A recent controlled trial showed that garlic enhances immune system activities that regulate inflammation and cell death or survival.
In another controlled trial, researchers found that S-allylcysteine, an organosulfur, was the most abundant phytochemical compound in aged garlic or black garlic that increased human immune cell function.
Cancer
Dr. Tarig Abdullah a Florida pathologist and his colleagues tested the effects of raw garlic and Kyolic garlic capsules on volunteer subjects in a randomized-controlled trial. A third group served as a control and did not have any garlic. After three weeks, the researchers tested the blood of the subjects on tumor cells in a laboratory culture. They found that the natural killer cells of those who daily ate raw garlic destroyed 139 percent more tumor cells while those who daily took garlic capsules destroyed 159 percent more tumor cells than the natural killer cells of those who did not eat raw garlic.
Several population studies suggest that increased dietary garlic consumption can decrease risk of developing colorectal cancer and aged garlic extract . Another population-based study showed that men who ate 1 clove of garlic per day reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 50 percent.
A study carried out by researchers at the University of Sydney found that dietary garlic protected hairless mice from UV radiation damage.
Dr. Benjamin Lau, an immunologist, researcher, and professor, found that the natural killer cells of those who daily ate raw garlic destroyed 139 percent more tumor cells while those who daily took garlic capsules destroyed 159 percent more tumor cells than the natural killer cells of those who did not eat raw garlic.
Heart Disease
In an analysis of clinical studies garlic can reduce systolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension by 16 mmHg but does not affect patients with normal blood pressure.
Additional clinical research shows that taking four tablets of a combination product containing aged garlic extract 300 mg and coenzyme Q10 30 mg per tablet daily for one year significantly improves inner heart vessel lining in firefighters facing high degrees of occupational stress.
Antimicrobial
Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Garlic has been shown to prevent Helicobacter pylori stomach ulcers and reduce the frequency of common colds when taking prophylactically. There have been clinical studies to show that a topical cream containing garlic extract was effective against fungal-related vaginitis and athlete’s foot.
Dr. Lau and other researches recommend making garlic a regular part of your dietary pattern with consumption of at least one clove of raw garlic or lightly cooked garlic per day.
History
Wild garlic is native to many regions of the world, Egypt, China, and the Mediterranean regions. Garlic belongs to the allium plant family, which include onions, leeks, and shallots. Garlic is primarily used in the culinary world for flavor enhancement. Ancient writings tell of garlic being used not only as a culinary herb, but also as a natural remedy. Clinical research has now confirmed what our ancestors have always known-that garlic possesses powerful healing properties.
Application
There are a few good ways to consume garlic prophylactically. You can peel the husk off of a clove, chop it up, add ¼ cup almond milk, swirl, and chug it so it goes to the back of the throat! Try not to chew the garlic (to maintain pleasant conversations with close friends) or eat it on an empty stomach because it is super powerful and can irritate the gastrointestinal tract lining. I typically consume garlic this way if I feel a cold coming on. Otherwise, add it to your daily cooking and homemade salad dressings! Kyolic garlic is also very powerful and well-researched supplement. If taking garlic daily, whether it is raw or in supplement form, make sure to let your healthcare provider know especially if you are on prescription medications.
References
Bahadoran P, Rokni FK, Fahami F. Investigating the therapeutic effect of vaginal cream containing garlic and thyme compared to clotrimazole cream for the treatment of mycotic vaginitis. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2010;15(Suppl 1):343-9.
Berspalov, V. G., Shcherbakov, A. M., Kalinovskii, V. P., Novik, V. I., Chepik, O. F., Aleksandrov, V. A., Sobenin, I. A., and Orekhov, A. N. [Study of the antioxidant drug “Karinat” in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis]. Vopr.Onkol. 2004;50(1):81-85.
Fuhrman J. Super Immunity. New York, NY: Harper One Publishers; 2011.
Hsing AW, Chokkalingam AP, Gao YT, et al. Allium vegetables and risk of prostate cancer: a population-based study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2002;94:1648-51.
Josling P. Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Adv Ther 2001;18:189-93.
Larijani, V. N., Ahmadi, N., Zeb, I., Khan, F., Flores, F., and Budoff, M. Beneficial effects of aged garlic extract and coenzyme Q10 on vascular elasticity and endothelial function: the FAITH randomized clinical trial. Nutrition 2013;29(1):71-75.
Lau B. Garlic and you: the modern medicine. Vancouver, Canada. Apple Publishing Company Ltd; 1997.
Ledezma E, DeSousa L, Jorquera A, et al. Efficacy of ajoene, an organosulphur derived from garlic, in the short-term therapy of tinea pedis. Mycoses 1996;39:393-5.
Ried K, Frank OR, Stocks NP, et al. Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2008;8:13.
Sung J, Harfouche Y, De La Cruz M. Garlic (allium sativum) stimulates Lipopolysaccharide-induced Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Production from J774A.1 Murine Macrophages. Phytotherapy Research. 2014; 29: 288-294.
Tanaka, S., Haruma, K., Kunihiro, M., Nagata, S., Kitadai, Y., Manabe, N., Sumii, M., Yoshihara, M., Kajiyama, G., and Chayama, K. Effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) on colorectal adenomas: a double-blinded study. Hiroshima J Med Sci. 2004;53(3-4):39-45.
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