Heart Disease - The Science of Garlic

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Heart Disease - The Science of Garlic

JoAnn Guest

Apr 16, 2006 12:47 PDT

 

Heart Disease - The Science of Garlic

Oct 23, 2004 18:34 PDT

By Decker Weiss: NMD, AACVPR

 

Today, garlic is one of the most researched plant medicines. By

1996, more than 1,800 scientific studies had investigated garlic's

medicinal properties.

 

Through these studies, garlic has been verified as an

important natural supplement in the treatment of heart disease.

 

Garlic chemistry is very complex. It's rich in many active

components, including 75 different sulfur compounds. Allicin, the

substance that gives garlic its characteristic odor (and to those

who partake of its goodness (garlic breath) is the compound that's

most prized.

 

Most garlic producers strive to grow garlic plants with a high

allicin yield. However, as important as allicin is to garlic growers

and harvesters alike, the concentration of allicin in an intact

clove of garlic is astonishingly small. This is because allicin is

protected in the clove by cell walls.

 

It is only after the cell walls are crushed or cut that

garlic cloves " release " their allicin.

 

While allicin itself has beneficial health effects, its greatest

strength is in what it yields.

 

Once allicin is released, many compounds are formed. These

compounds are responsible for most of garlic's health

benefits.

 

Garlic has many beneficial properties that improve the health of the

heart and circulation.

 

These include:

antioxidant activity

anti-clotting agent

inhibition of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

reducing " bad " cholesterol levels in the blood

raising " good " cholesterol levels in the blood

lowering blood pressure

 

 

What evidence is there for the anticancer benefits of garlic?

Much research has examined garlic's role in the inhibition and

prevention of various types of cancer. Some of these studies have

evolved from the observations that certain ethnic groups who eat a

lot of garlic in their diet have a low incidence of certain types of

cancers.

In a recent meta-analysis, the authors concluded garlic was

especially effective in preventing stomach and colon cancers.

 

Garlic is a powerful detoxifying agent that can protect against

various liver toxins. In an experimental study, garlic protected

against acetaminophen (Tylenol®)-induced liver toxicity.23 This

means that

individuals who are taking Tylenol® may find garlic is beneficial.

Garlic kills harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

 

Based on a great deal of clinical research, a medically validated

commercial garlic product should provide a daily dose of a total

allicin potential of 4,000 micrograms (mcg).

 

This dosage equates to roughly one to four cloves of fresh garlic.

Be sure to read labels; demand products that deliver a guaranteed

yield of allicin and are enteric-coated to prevent 'premature

release' in the stomach.

 

Garlic has a long and colorful history as both food and medicine,

and is highly valued as both. Scientific study has provided

understanding of the many benefits of garlic as a

supplement.

 

And, most importantly, many loyal enthusiasts worldwide

attest to healthier hearts and improved lives simply from using

garlic supplements.

 

http://heartspring.net/heart_disease_prevention.html

 

References

1. Riddle JM. Garlic's history as a medicine. Presentation at the

American Herbal Products Association International Garlic Symposium.

July 31, 2001.

 

2. Garlic. In: Blumenthal M, ed. Herbal Medicine: Expanded

Commission E

Monographs. Austin, Tex: American Botanical Council; 2000:139-148.

---

Garlic: For Maximum Benefit,

Choose the Right Product

---

Garlic has been used throughout history virtually all over the world

as medicine. Its usage predates written history. Sanskrit records

document the use of garlic remedies approximately 5,000 years ago,

while the Chinese have been using it for at least 3,000 years. The

Codex Ebers, an Egyptian medical papyrus dating to about 1,550 B.C.,

mentions garlic as an effective remedy for a variety of ailments,

including high blood pressure, worms, and tumors.

Hippocrates,

 

Aristotle and Pliny cited numerous therapeutic uses for garlic.

Stories, verse and folklore (such as its alleged ability to ward off

vampires) also give historical documentation to garlic's healing

power. Sir John Harrington in The Englishman's Doctor, written in

1609, summarized garlic's virtues and faults:

 

What are the scientifically confirmed effects of garlic?

 

Garlic has a wide range of well-documented effects including helping

to fight infection and boost immune function; preventing cancer

prevention;

and the cardiovascular benefits of lowering cholesterol and blood

pressure.

 

All of these beneficial effects of garlic are attributed to its

sulfur-containing compounds: allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl

trisulfide, and others.

 

Allicin is mainly responsible for the pungent odor of garlic. It is

formed by the action of the enzyme alliinase on the compound alliin.

 

This enzyme is activated by heat, oxygen, or water.

 

Products concentrated for alliin and other sulfur components provide

all of the benefits of fresh garlic if they are manufactured

properly and are more " socially acceptable. "

 

Because alliin and alliinase are very stable when garlic is properly

processed, there is a method to insure that the allicin is not

produced until the garlic powder mixes with the fluids of the

intestinal tract.

This method is coating the specially prepared garlic in such a

manner so that the tablet does not break down until after it has

passed through the stomach. This method is referred to as " enteric-

coating. "

Studies prior to 1993 were the main reason garlic supplements have

been allowed in Germany and the U.S. to refer to cholesterol

lowering activity.

 

In positive double-blind studies in patients with initial

cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dl, supplementation with

garlic preparations providing a daily dose of at least 10 mg alliin

or a total allicin potential of 4,000 mcg total serum cholesterol

levels dropped by about 10% to 12%, LDL cholesterol decreased by

about 15%, HDL cholesterol levels usually increased by about 10%,

and triglyceride levels dropped by 15%.4-9 Blood pressure readings

also dropped with typical reductions of 11 mm Hg for the systolic

and 5.0 in the diastolic within a one to three month period.

 

Since aged garlic does not contain allicin, it does not produce any

significant benefits on either blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

It may provide some other benefits on the cardiovascular system, but

the significance of these effects has not been fully evaluated.

 

How much garlic do I need?

Based on the results of the positive clinical trials, the dosage of

a commercial garlic product should provide a daily dose of at least

10 mg alliin or a total allicin potential of 4,000 mcg. This dosage

equates to roughly one to four cloves of fresh garlic.

 

 

Does garlic interact with drugs?

Theoretically, garlic preparations may potentiate the effects of the

blood thinning drug Coumadin® (warfarin) as well as enhance the

antiplatelet effects of drugs like aspirin and Ticlid®

(ticlopidine). If

you are taking these drugs, please consult a physician before taking

a garlic product. Garlic may also increase the effectiveness of

drugs that

 

lower blood sugar levels in the treatment of non-insulin dependent

diabetes (type 2 diabetes) such as glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase).

Consult a physician to discuss proper monitoring of blood sugar

levels before taking a garlic product.

 

References:

 

Koch H and Lawson L (eds.): Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic

Application of Allium Sativum L and Related Species, 2nd Edition.

Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, 1996.

Lawson LD and Wang ZJ. Tablet quality: A major problem in clinical

trials with garlic supplements. Forsch Kmplmentaermed 7:45, 2000.

--------------------------------

GARLIC

BETTER THAN STATIN DRUGS FOR PREVENTING HEART ATTACKS

--------------------------------

by Alan Tillotson, Ph.D., AHG

 

Recent TV ads from major cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lipitor

flash language stating that the medicines do not prevent heart

attacks or heart disease.

In comparison, the below scientific reports deal with the much more

important purpose of lowering cholesterol -

to prevent vessel clogging,

 

how garlic effects can be made stronger with fish oils, and finally

estimates on the core issue of garlic's effectiveness in preventing

real heart attacks.

-

The anti-atherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum.

 

Koscielny J, Klussendorf D, Latza R, Schmitt R, Radtke H, Siegel G,

Kiesewetter H. Atherosclerosis 1999 May;144(1):237-49

--

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial,

the plaque volumes in both carotid and femoral arteries of 152

probationers were determined by B-mode ultrasound.

 

Continuous intake of high-dose garlic powder dragees reduced

significantly the increase in arteriosclerotic plaque volume by 5-

18% or even effected a slight regression within the observational

period of 48 months.

 

Also the age-dependent representation of the plaque volume shows an

increase between 50 and 80 years that is diminished under garlic

treatment by 6-13% related to 4 years.

 

It seems even more important that with garlic application the plaque

volume in the whole collective remained practically constant within

the

age-span of 50-80 years. These

results substantiated that not only a preventive but possibly also a

curative role in arteriosclerosis therapy (plaque regression) may be

ascribed to garlic remedies.

 

Publication Types:

* Clinical Trial

* Randomized Controlled Trial

J Natl Med Assoc 1997 Oct;89(10):673-8

---

Modulation of lipid profile by fish oil and garlic combination.

 

Morcos NC. Division of Cardiology, University of California, Irvine

92717, USA. Fish consumption has been shown to influence

epidemiology of

heart disease, and garlic has been shown to influence triglyceride

levels.

 

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of fish oil and

garlic combinations as a dietary supplement on the lipid

subfractions.

 

Forty consecutive subjects with lipid profile abnormalities were

enrolled in a single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Each

subject received placebo for 1 month and fish oil (1800 mg of

eicosapentanoic acid [EPA] + 1200 mg of docosahexanoic acid) with

garlic

powder (1200 mg) capsules daily for 1 month.

 

Lipid fractionation was performed prior to study initiation, after

the

placebo period, and after the intervention period. Subjects all had

cholesterol levels > 200. Subjects were instructed to maintain their

usual diets.

 

Supplementation for 1 month resulted in an 11% decrease in

cholesterol,

 

a 34% decrease in triglyceride, and a 10% decrease in low-density

lipoprotein (LDL) levels, as well as a 19% decrease in

cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) risk.

Although not significant, there was a trend toward increase in HDL.

There was no significant placebo effect.

 

These results suggest that in addition to the known anticoagulant

and

antioxidant properties of both fish oil and garlic, the combination

causes favorable shifts in the

lipid subfractions within 1 month.

 

Triglycerides are affected to the largest extent. The cholesterol

lowering and improvement in lipid/HDL

risk ratios suggests that these combinations may have

antiatherosclerotic properties and may protect against the

development

of coronary artery disease.

 

Publication Types:

* Clinical Trial

* Randomized Controlled Trial

 

Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149(8-10):217-24 [Pleiotropic effects of

garlic] [Article in German] Siegel G, Walter A, Engel S, Walper A,

Michel F. Institut fur Physiologie, Universitatsklinikums Benjamin

Franklin, Freien Universitat Berlin, Deutschland.

si-

 

Garlic as a herbal remedy reduces a multitude of risk factors which

play

a decisive role in the genesis and progression of arteriosclerosis:

decrease in total and LDL-cholesterol, increase in HDL-cholesterol,

reduction of serum triglyceride and fibrinogen concentration,

lowering

of arterial blood pressure and promotion of organ perfusion, and,

finally, enhancement in fibrinolysis, inhibition of platelet

aggregation, and diminution of plasma viscosity.

 

In a prospective, 4-year clinical trial with primary endpoint

'arteriosclerotic plaque volume' it was proven not only a 9 to 18%

reduction and 3% regression in plaque volume of the total collective

under the influence of standardized garlic powder dragees (900

mg/die LI

111), but also of some facets of the phytopharmacologic pleiotropy

of

this herb: decrease in LDL level by 4%, increase in HDL

concentration by

 

8%, and lowering in blood pressure by 7%.

 

The reduction of arterial

blood pressure is due to an additional opening of K(Ca) ion channels

in

the membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells that effects its

hyperpolarization. This membrane hyperpolarization closes about 20%

of

the L-type Ca2+ channels, consequence of which is vasodilatation

..

In human coronary arteries, the increase in vascular diameter by 4%

is

closely associated with an improvement of coronary perfusion by 18%.

 

These pleiotropic effects of garlic result in a reduction of

relative

cardiovascular risk for infarction and stroke by more than 50%.

 

 

Comments:

Alan Keith Tillotson, PhD, AHG

1008 Milltown Rd., Wilm., DE 19808 USA

(302) 994-0565 (302) 995-0653 fax

Email: Al-

--

Four

 

Year Study Shows Garlic Reduces Arterial Plaque

 

--

 

J.Koscielny, D. Kluessendorf, R. Latza, R. Schmitt, H. Radtke, G.

Siegel and H. Kiesewetter

 

The information on this website is not a substitute for

diagnosis and treatment by a qualified professional.

 

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

---

 

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, 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 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

within four years. 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.

--

Garlic Reduces Plaque Mass in Arteries

 

--

This new study provides conclusive evidence that garlic prevents and

reduces plaque build up in carotid (heart) arteries and femoral

(thigh) arteries.

 

When fatty 'plaque', like cholesterol, builds up in the arteries, it

increases the risk of heart attacks.

 

German researchers studied 280 participants over a 4 year period.

Participants were given either 900mg of garlic per day or a placebo.

Those who took the garlic had 18% less plaque than those who took a

placebo.

 

Men who took the placebo had a 5.5% increase in plaque build up and

those who took garlic had only a 1.1% increase.

Women who took the garlic had a 4.6% decrease in plaque build up,

while those who took the placebo had an increase of 53%.

 

Researchers believe that garlic reduces blood aggregation (blood

stickiness) and thus helps stop the plaque sticking to the artery

walls.

 

This study clearly reveals that continuous taking of high dose

garliccan reduce the plaque volume by 6-18% or a regression within 4

years.

 

The Authors of this study state that, " These results substantiated

that not only a preventive but possibly also a curative role in

arteriosclerosis therapy (plaque regression) may be ascribed to

garlic remedies " .

 

REFERENCES

(Reuters Health)

Reference : Koscielny,J et al. The antiatherosclerotic effect of

Allium sativum. Atherosclerosis 1999;144(1):237-49

---

Modulation of Lipid Profile by Fish Oil and Garlic Combination

 

---

-----------

 

 

 

Medical Abstract Title:

 

Modulation of Lipid Profile by Fish Oil and Garlic Combination

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=2765

 

Author:

Morcos NC

 

Source:

J Natl Med Assoc. 1997;89:673-678.

 

Abstract:

 

Fish consumption has been shown to influence epidemiology of heart

disease, and garlic has been shown to influence triglyceride levels.

 

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of fish oil and

garlic

combinations as a dietary supplement on the lipid subfractions.

Forty

consecutive subjects with lipid profile abnormalities were enrolled

in a

 

single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.

 

Each subject received placebo for 1 month and fish oil (1800 mg of

eicosapentanoic acid [EPA) + 1200 mg of docosahexanoic acid) with

garlic

 

powder (1200 mg) capsules daily for 1 month. Lipid fractionation was

performed prior to study initiation, after the placebo period, and

after

 

the intervention period.

 

Subjects all had cholesterol levels >200.

Subjects were instructed to maintain their usual diets.

 

Supplementation for 1 month resulted in an 11% decrease in

cholesterol,

a 34% decrease in triglyceride, and a 10% decrease in low-density

lipoprotein (LDL) levels, as well as a 19% decrease in

cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) risk. Although not

significant, there was a trend toward increase in HDL. There was no

significant placebo effect.

 

These results suggest that in addition to the known anticoagulant

and

antioxidant properties of both fish oil and garlic, the combination

causes favorable shifts in the lipid subfractions wiithin 1 month.

 

Triglycerides are affected to the largest extent.

 

The cholesterol lowering and improvement in lipid/HDL risk ratios

suggests that these combinations may have antiatherosclerotic

properties

 

and may protect against the development of coronary artery disease.

_________________

---

A

Garlic Derivative, Ajoene, Inhibits Platelet Deposition

---

Medical Abstract Title:

 

A Garlic Derivative, Ajoene, Inhibits Platelet Deposition on

Severely

Damaged Vessel Wall in an in Vivo Porcine Experimental Model

 

Author:

Apitz-Castro R, Badimon JJ, Badimon L

 

Source:

Thromb Res. 1994; 75(3):243-249.

 

Abstract:

 

Ajoene, (E,Z)-4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide, is a potent

antiplatelet compound isolated from alcoholic extracts of garlic. In

vitro, ajoene reversibly inhibits platelet aggregation as well as

the

release reaction induced by all known agonists.

 

We used a well

characterized perfusion chamber to study the in vivo effects of

ajoene

on platelet deposition onto a highly thrombogenic, severely damaged

arterial wall, obtained by stripping off the intimal layer and

exposing

tunica media.

 

Platelet-vessel wall interaction and the effect of ajoene was

studied

under flow conditions of high and low local shear rate that mimics

laminar blood flow in small and medium size arteries (1690 sec-1 and

212

sec-1).

 

Our results indicate that administration of ajoene to heparinized

animals, significantly prevents thrombus formation at local low

blood

shear rate. Ajoene does not inhibit binding of vWF to GPIb,

therefore,

it does not affect platelet adhesion.

In fact, although ajoene impairs fibrinogen and vWF (less efficient)

binding to GPlIb/IIIa, it does not totally inhibit platelet

deposition

to the substrates at any of the shear rates used in this study.

 

Our present results, under in vivo flow conditions and in the

presence

of physiological calcium levels, suggest that ajoene may be

potentially

useful for the acute prevention of thrombus formation induced by

severe

vascular damage, mainly in sites with local low shear rates.

 

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=1573

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