The Health Benefits of Garlic Supplementation
With culinary, medicinal, and even spiritual applications, garlic has been used for centuries to reduce symptoms of the common cold, jazz up everyday meals and keep those pesky vampires at bay. Proponents of daily garlic supplementation laud this popular relative of the onion for its supposed antibacterial and antifungal properties, but what, if any, are the true health benefits of garlic? And how can you achieve the recommended daily intake without experiencing the unpleasant side effects associated with garlic like halitosis and body odor?
It’s All About the Allicin
When fresh garlic is cut, cooked or crushed, it releases allicin, a sulfur-containing compound responsible for garlic’s pungent aroma. This compound also acts as the plant’s primary defense against pests and has been studied for its role in supporting the cardiovascular system, reducing high cholesterol and strengthening the immune system.
Potential Health Benefits
While the health benefits of garlic and allicin are still being closely examined, recent studies suggest that regular supplementation may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by diminishing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Garlic has also been shown to support the body’s natural inflammatory response and may minimize symptoms of the common cold, which has been attributed to its high levels of zinc and vitamin C, two powerful antioxidants. Garlic has also been shown to keep pesky mosquitos and other insects away when consumed regularly and is high in vitamin B6, vitamin C, iron, and selenium.
Supplementation
To achieve the reputed health benefits of garlic, some experts agree that consuming 2-5 grams (that’s 2-5 cloves!) of fresh, raw garlic daily is necessary to achieving optimum health. While many don’t mind the potential breath and body odor associated with eating large quantities of this powerful healing food, we recommend supplementation to achieve the maximum health benefits while keeping your breath and body smelling fresh.
- Garlic Capsules contain garlic that has been ground into powder.
- Garlic Oil is made by macerating fresh garlic and allowing it to steep in oil or by extracting the oil via a steam distillation process.
- Aged Garlic Extracts have been shown to offer the same cardiovascular benefits as other formulas and are the least odorous of the various types of garlic supplementation.
Whether you choose capsules, oils, extracts or a fresh and raw approach to garlic supplementation, garlic is an excellent choice for those looking to boost their cardiovascular and immune system health.