Six Ways Garlic Can Improve Your Health

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http://mercola.com/2004/feb/28/garlic_health.htm

 

 

Six Ways Garlic Can Improve Your Health

 

 

 

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

with Rachael Droege

 

 

 

Garlic is a triple-whammy: it’s antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. Garlic

is one food that you should be eating every day.

 

 

 

It is important to note that the garlic must be fresh to give you optimal health

benefits. The active ingredient is destroyed within one hour of smashing the

garlic, so garlic pills are virtually worthless and should not be used. When you

use the garlic, compress it with a spoon prior to swallowing it, or put it

through your juicer to add to your vegetable juice. Just be careful not to put

too much in as it can cause some unpleasant surprises. A single medium size

clove or two is usually sufficient.

 

 

 

Prevent Cancer

 

 

Researchers have found that allicin, a chemical found in garlic that gives it

its flavor, could be used to fight cancer. It appears that the natural chemical

reaction that forms allicin, which occurs when the garlic is eaten or smashed,

may penetrate and kill tumor cells.

 

 

 

Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

 

Several studies suggest that garlic has many beneficial effects on the heart.

Garlic may:

 

 

 

Lower total cholesterol

Lower LDL ( " bad " ) cholesterol

Lower blood pressure

Help keep blood thin, reducing the risk of blood clots and stroke

Lower elevated serum levels of homocysteine, according to preliminary studies

 

 

 

Fight Parasites and Viral Infections

 

 

 

Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and

protozoa in the body. And unlike with antibiotics, no resistance can be built up

so it is an absolutely safe product to use.

 

 

 

Antioxidant Effect

 

 

Garlic can have a powerful antioxidant effect in the body, which means it helps

to protect against damaging free radicals.

 

 

 

Reduce Fungal Infections

 

 

Garlic’s anti-fungal properties are excellent for reducing fungal infections,

such as yeast infections.

 

Avoid Insect Bites

 

 

People who eat garlic tend to get fewer bites from insects like ticks, according

to research. It also likely applies to mosquitoes as well.

 

 

 

One problem with garlic, of course, is the smell, but generally a few cloves a

day are tolerated by most people. If you develop a socially offensive odor then

all you need to do is slightly decrease the amount of garlic you’re consuming

until there is no odor present. Garlic is an herb, however, so if you do not

like it or it makes you feel sick, this is your body's way of telling you that

you should avoid it.

 

 

Related Articles:

Garlic Keeps the Ticks Away

 

Evidence Mounts for Garlic's Antimicrobial, Cholesterol-Lowering Effects

 

Garlic Lowers Heart Disease Risk

 

Garlic Could be Used as Cancer Treatment

 

Garlic May Prevent Cancer

 

Herbs Rich Source of Healthy Antioxidants; Oregano Ranks Highest

 

 

 

 

 

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