Four Year Study Shows Garlic Reduces Arterial Plaque

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Four Year Study Shows Garlic Reduces Arterial Plaque

 

J.Koscielny, D. Kluessendorf, R. Latza,

R. Schmitt, H. Radtke, G. Siegel and H. Kiesewetter

 

This article was provided by:

American Botanical Council

P.O. Box 144345

Austin, TX 78714-4345

Phone 512-926-4900

Email ab-

 

Website www.herbalgram.org

 

The anti-atherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum. Atherosclerosis.

1999; Vol. 1444, pp. 237-249.

2) Lichtwer Pharma U.S., Inc. Consumer Information: Executive

Summary, Kwai Product Background & History, Common Questions and

Answers. May 1999

 

 

 

 

Numerous clinical studies have found that dietary supplementation

with garlic may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease in a

variety of ways, including lowering total cholesterol and LDL

cholesterol and

inhibiting its oxidation, lowering triglycerides,

 

inhibiting platelet aggregation (thrombosis),

 

lowering blood pressure, lowering fibrinogen concentration, and

enhancing fibrinolytic activity.

 

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed the

effects of long-term garlic supplementation on plaque formation in

both the carotid (neck) and femoral (leg) arteries of 152 male and

female subjects (61 in the garlic supplement group and 91 in the

placebo group) over a 48-month period.

 

For inclusion in the study, the subjects had to be diagnosed with

advanced atherosclerotic plaques as measured by ultrasound and have

at least one of the established risk factors for heart disease such

as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking.

 

Subjects in the garlic group received 900 milligrams a day of garlic

powder (Lichtwer Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany) and the placebo group

received tablets that were identical in appearance, but contained no

garlic powder (also provided by Lichtwer Pharma).

 

This study is significant in that it may represent the longest study

on a phytomedicine published to date.

 

 

High-resolution sonography was used to measure plaque *volumes* in

the

subjects' arteries.

 

High-resolution ultrasound provides noninvasive imaging of single

wall structures of major arteries.

 

The combined intimal-medial thickness (IMT) was used as an indicator

of arterial vessel wall morphology.

 

It is a strong predictor of the progression rate of atherosclerosis.

The ultrasonographic measurement of the

regression or progression of atherosclerotic

plaques in the common carotid and the femoral artery was the primary

endpoint of the study.

 

Plaques in the common carotid artery appear to be associated with a

2.1-fold increase in the incidence of myocardial

infarction (heart attack).

 

Plaques present in the femoral arteries in subjects suffering from

peripheral arterial occlusive disease are associated with a 2.4 fold

increase in risk for ischemic coronary disease (inadequate blood

supply to the heart muscle).

 

Plasma viscosity, platelet aggregation, total blood cholesterol, low-

density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein

(HDL)-cholesterol,

triglycerides and glucose determinations were performed.

 

In addition, a Doppler pressure assessment of the brachial (in the

upper arm), dorsal pedal (in the foot), and posterior tibial artery

(in the foot), blood pressure and heart rates were also obtained,

but are not reported in this summary.

 

The plaque volumes of the arteries measured in each person were

summed up to a total volume and plotted at the respective time or

age.

 

In the placebo group, the arteriosclerotic plaque volume increased

by 15.6% over four years,

 

whereas in the garlic group, a 2.6% decrease, or regression in

plaque volume, was observed.

 

At the end of the study, asignificant difference of 18.3% in plaque

volume was found between the placebo group and the garlic group.

 

The result were most dramatic for the women, where those receiving

the placebo experienced a 53.1% increase in plaque volume compared

to a 4.6% plaque regression in those receiving garlic supplements.

 

However, among the women, the age composition was not equal in the

placebo and treatment groups (due to drop-outs, the placebo group

was predominately younger women and the garlic group predominately

older women). After adjusting for this age discrepancy, the authors

concluded that only 4.6% of the plaque

regression could be rated as a genuine garlic effect.

 

The authors concluded that their study substantiates that continuous

supplementation of high-dose garlic can reduce the increase in

arteriosclerotic plaque volume by 6-18%

or even cause a regression. Such an effect can be considered

clinically

relevant.

 

They suggests that garlic is a remedy that simultaneously influences

a variety of systems or metabolic processes.

 

These remedies are characterized as " pleiotropic " substances and may

provide more benefit than conventional medications, which typically

target one effect against the disease being treated.

- Densie Webb, Ph.D.

 

 

 

Enclosure: 1) Reprinted from Atherosclerosis, 144: 237-249, 1999,

Bin #166 with permission from Elsevier Science

2) Copyright © 1999, Lichtwer Pharma U.S. Inc.

Reprinted with permission.

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