The Powerful Properties of Garlic

Garlic has long been lauded as a powerful substance, historically reported to help with everything from toothache to fending off vampires. Though its claim to helping deter Count Dracula may be pure fiction, its health-benefitting properties are backed up by many research findings.

Not a fan of the smell of garlic? Not to worry, as it can be consumed in many ways besides eaten in culinary dishes. Formulations made of odourless aged garlic can eliminate garlic smell and the irritation that garlic can cause your stomach, especially when eaten raw.

Aged garlic extract has been demonstrated to modulate cardiovascular risk factors in numerous studies. Its heart-protecting benefits seem to come through multiple mechanisms. It has been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and to improve blood flow by reducing platelet aggregation, which helps to prevent heart attack and strokes.

In one study comparing the effect of aged garlic extract with placebo, the extract significantly improved blood flow by reducing platelet aggregation in men with moderately elevated cholesterol levels. After three months, subjects taking aged garlic extract showed 33 percent less platelet aggregation and after six months showed 43 percent less aggregation than the placebo group.

As well as helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and enhance circulation, aged garlic extract has also been shown to support immune function, help fight stress and fatigue, and maintain healthy function of the liver and nerves.