According to many reliable sources, garlic is a wonder cure for many ailments from insect bites to atherosclerosis. You may think that garlic is only useful to flavor your spaghetti sauce or keep vampires away, but using garlic or taking a garlic supplement can do so much more for your health and well-being.
Hardening of the Arteries or Atherosclerosis
According to researchers at The University of Maryland Medical Center, garlic seems to prevent arteries from building plaque. This study showed that 280 people who consumed about 900 milligrams of garlic per day had an 82 percent lessening of plaque buildup in their arteries. The researchers performed a double-blind study and then looked at the plaque volume in the carotid artery and the femoral artery. As we age, plaque tends to collect in our arteries, causing a shortage of blood flow and damage to the arteries. The more plaque develops, the more the chance of a congestive heart failure or heart attack increases. If your arteries are clear, your blood pressure stays low. So, to keep your heart younger and free from plaque, take a garlic supplement or eat garlic routinely to keep your arteries clear, reduce your blood pressure, and keep your heart healthy.
The medical community does not know how garlic keeps plaque from sticking to arteries. At present, it appears that garlic changes the platelets in the blood, making it less able to attach to the wall of the arteries.
Garlic Reduces the Risk of Some Cancers
According to the National Cancer Institute, garlic may be an addition to your diet that can help prevent some types of cancer. Garlic may work against cancer because it has:
• Antibacterial benefits.
• Cancer-fighting substances.
• DNA repairing properties.
• Reduces the rate at which cancer cells grow.
The National Cancer Institute does not recommend dietary supplements to prevent cancer. It does recognize, however, that garlic is one of the vegetables that may have cancer-fighting properties. One clove of garlic per day is a suggested amount of garlic to consume for potential cancer prevention benefits.
Various cancers are affected by garlic consumption, according to a recent study by Jiangsu Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Nanjing . Garlic consumption prevents or affects gastrointestinal cancers, prostate cancers, and lung cancer. Researchers are still trying to determine whether garlic needs to be eaten directly, or whether garlic supplements work just as well.
Other Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic has been routinely used since the time of Hippocrates as a healing agent. It has been linked with easing arthritis and having anti-inflammatory properties. This anti-inflammatory action might be due to the high levels of sulfur contained in the vegetable. Garlic also has some antibacterial properties that may help prevent or heal such common illnesses as:
• The common cold.
• Fungal infections.
• Earaches.
• Eye infections.
• Skin disorders such as acne and ringworm.
• Toothaches.
Garlic boosts the immune system, according to some garlic gurus.
Garlic is flavorful in foods we enjoy. Add a little garlic to your next recipe and reap the healthy benefits.