Over the years, many studies have claimed that garlic can be great for lowering cholesterol levels. Here’s how.
Studies
Aged garlic extract (AGE) can bring down the cholesterol levels by as much as 7 per cent. When men with hypercholesterolemia took this extract, their LDL cholesterol came down by 10 per cent, says a study.
Another study revealed that consuming two garlic tablets every day (400 mg of garlic/1 mg allicin) for six weeks can help bring the total cholesterol down by 12 per cent and the LDL cholesterol levels down by 17 per cent. It can also bring down the triglyceride levels by 6 per cent.
Another animal study found that consumption of raw extract of garlic reduced the total, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Garlic and HDL (good) cholesterol
While garlic is seen to reduce the LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels, another good news is that it may also impact the levels of HDL (good high density) positively. Some studies claim a 15 per cent rise in the HDL level after taking garlic supplements for 6 weeks.
Researchers and scientists also claim to have seen an overall improved blood lipid profile after the consumption of garlic extract 4 months.
Garlic might not be the long-term solution
As easy as it sounds, the effects of garlic on your cholesterol are not long lasting. In other words, you will have to keep taking garlic for continued benefits. The lowered levels of cholesterol are no longer maintained six months after you stop taking garlic.
Eating garlic can be problematic for some
Some people might have a mild side effect of eating garlic like heartburn, bad breath, flatulence and gastric issues. But for the majority of people, two cloves of it is not usually a problem.
Garlic helps to stop clotting in your blood, so if you are already taking medicine for the same, it can lead to excessive bleeding during a wound or a cut. Consult your doctor before eating garlic every day in this case.
Verdict
Though garlic might improve your overall lipid profile, it is not recommended by the doctors as evidence for the same is not strong enough. It might help but not enough to let go of your medication.
You can try having garlic every day but do not skip your medicines or forget having a healthy diet.
