The many health benefits of garlic

I have to thank Dr. Spreen for sending along an article about garlic that appeared in BioMedNet. A review of recent studies confirms that garlic contains medically active substances with very useful health benefits.

The Journal of Nutrition reports that garlic extract increases cellular antioxidant enzyme levels, resulting in the inhibition of LDL oxidation and the reduction of plasma LDL. This adds new evidence to the theory that garlic may be effective in helping to prevent the buildup of cholesterol and lipid plaques on artery walls that leads to atherosclerosis.

Other recent studies demonstrate that garlic may also be a potent cancer fighter. A report in Molecular Pharmacology, shows that a natural compound in garlic called ajoene can prompt apoptosis (cell death) in leukemic cells. And a study in the journal Nutrition and Cancer concluded that another garlic compound called allicin may inhibit the growth of mammary and colon cancer cells.

Sobe on the lookout for good garlic recipes.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute

Sources:

“Pharmacological Effects of Garlic Extract” Ruomei Qi and Zhengang Wang, Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 2003, 24:62-63, BioMedNet, bmn.com