July 8, 1999 – Many studies have already shown that garlic has the ability to lower blood cholesterol levels. This time around, researchers have shown that ingesting 900 mg of garlic powder daily helps prevent and even reduce the build-up of fatty plaques in the arteries.
The study of 280 German adults over four years showed that those who consumed the garlic supplement had 18% less plaque in their arteries than the group who took a placebo. Fat plaque is made up of several substances, including cholesterol. If plaque builds up in the arteries, the risk of a heart problem increases.
The study, published in the medical journal Atherosclerosis, gave different results for men and women. The men who took the garlic supplement showed a 1.1% increase in the volume of fatty plaque during the duration of the study, compared to a 5.5% increase in the subjects who took the placebo. On the other hand, women who took the garlic supplement experienced a decrease of 4.6% in plaque volume, while those taking the placebo showed a 53% increase.
The exact mechanism by which garlic influences plaque buildup is unknown, but researchers believe garlic decreases the adhesion or aggregation of blood platelets.
The study was funded by the German company Lichtwer Pharma, which specializes in plant protection products.
HealthPassport.net
Source: Atherosclerosis 1999; 144: 237-249.
