Although many people enjoy the flavor that a little bit of garlic can add to a meal, most people don’t think about chewing on or consuming larger quantities of raw garlic, let alone taking garlic extract supplements. It’s something you add to a meal, right? It’s by no means a meal itself, especially if you want to keep your breath fresh.
That’s an understandable opinion, for certain, but what many don’t realize is that raw garlic offers a wide range of amazing health benefits. Garlic contains medicinal compounds that make it particularly effective at combating numerous health conditions.
On top of that, it’s entirely natural. It’s more affordable than medication, and less likely to cause unwanted side effects. The key to your health might be in your kitchen already.
Just consider some of the following amazing benefits garlic has to offer. That said, if you suffer from any significant medical condition, take the advice of your physician seriously.
Garlic is very useful when it comes to optimizing your health, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a substitute for proper medical treatment. If your doctor insists on medication, surgery, or any other treatment method, don’t assume that garlic is all you need. You can still use it, but use it as a supplement to proper medical care, instead of a substitute for it.
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Reducing High Blood Pressure
Numerous studies prove that aged garlic extract, when used alongside other treatments, is very effective at treating high blood pressure. One study involved 50 participants who had particularly high blood pressure; experts actually referred to it as “uncontrollable.”
By taking four capsules of aged garlic extract every day for three months, participants saw their blood pressure decrease by 10 points on average.
Specialists believe that polysulfides in garlic can help blood vessels open wider. This reduces the amount of pressure necessary for proper blood flow. If you suffer from high blood pressure, purchase some capsules of aged garlic extract and take them every day. Doing so will optimize the effectiveness of any other treatments you may be using.
Treating the Common Cold
Scientists have long wished to discover a cure for the common cold. They’ve devoted countless resources to addressing this particular health issue.
Ironically, one of the most effective treatments may be available at the grocery store already. Granted, there is still no true cure for the common cold. That’s primarily due to the fact that a wide range of microorganisms are responsible for such illnesses. It’s hard to cure a condition when there are several potential causes behind it.
That being said, compounds within garlic have been shown to effectively kill many of the microorganisms responsible for colds.
These benefits are backed up by science. Researchers asked two groups of participants to take pills over the course of 12 weeks during cold season. One group took a garlic supplement, while others took a placebo.
At the end of the study, researchers found that participants in the group that took the garlic supplement were significantly less likely to catch a cold than participants in the placebo group. Most experts believe that allicin is the primary compound in garlic that offers these benefits. Because it is both antifungal and antibacterial, it’s useful at treating a number of similar infections.
Slowing the Progression of Alzheimer’s & Dementia
It’s important to remember that there are no known cures for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. These neuro-degenerative disorders can only be slowed, and it’s important to coordinate with an experienced physician to make sure a person diagnosed with either of them is receiving the necessary treatment.
In other words, you shouldn’t expect garlic supplements to completely treat this type of condition. What you should expect, however, is for garlic supplements, in conjunction with other treatments, to slow their progression.
That’s because cognitive illnesses like these are worsened by oxidative damage. Garlic has natural antioxidant properties, making it particularly useful for individuals suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Once again, you don’t have to merely accept these claims on faith alone. Researchers have confirmed that the use of garlic supplements protects the brain from the damage caused by neurodegenerative illnesses. Because it’s affordable and easy to take, anyone with such a diagnosis should immediately begin taking garlic every day.
Extending Lifespans
You don’t need to have been diagnosed with a major medical condition to start boosting your health with garlic. Incorporating garlic supplements into your diet (or chewing on raw garlic) will protect against a wide range of conditions.
The more natural antioxidants, antibacterial foods, and antifungal ingredients you incorporate into your everyday life, the less likely you are to contract illnesses. Many experts believe that taking garlic on a regular basis has an overall positive effect on the immune system, enhancing a person’s overall wellness as a result.
Treating Diabetes
When you’re diabetic, it’s important to do whatever you can to regulate your blood sugar levels. As always, you need to check your blood sugar often, take insulin when needed, and stay in touch with your doctor to make sure you’ve done everything you can to manage this illness.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy additional benefits from a natural substance that has been shown to help in this area.
In fact, garlic isn’t just good at regulating blood sugar levels. Studies indicate that it also helps reduce the effects of complications related to diabetes. In one particular study, diabetic rats were given daily doses of raw garlic extract over the course of seven weeks. At the end of the study, the rats were compared to a control group that did not take any garlic supplements.
The rats who were given garlic extract had 57 percent less serum glucose, 40 percent lower levels of serum cholesterol, and 35 percent lower triglyceride levels when compared to rats who received no garlic supplementation. They also experienced fewer urinary problems.
This provides very useful evidence to support the notion that garlic supplementation is necessary for diabetics. The research shows that, along with helping patients control their blood sugar levels, garlic can also help mitigate the risks posed by complications like nephropathy and atherosclerosis, which often accompany diabetes.
Boosting Fitness
For centuries, many athletes used garlic to enhance their performance. However, in the age of nutrition supplements, where an entire industry serves athletes looking to get an edge over the competition, many have forgotten the benefits that garlic has to offer when it comes to fitness and sports.
That’s unfortunate, seeing as medical research supports the notion that garlic is ideal for people who work out. In one study, researchers gathered 30 participants with coronary artery disease. Over the course of six weeks, each member of the group was provided with regular doses of garlic oil. They also performed a treadmill stress test on a regular basis.
At the end of the study, it was shown that garlic caused a significant reduction in peak heart rate during exercise. Because less stress was placed on the heart, participants were able to exercise for longer periods of time without doing harm to their bodies.
Again, these effects were observed in patients suffering from the kind of illness that specifically impacts their physical fitness. The benefits garlic oil can have on people who are already fit are likely to be even greater.
A review of numerous studies indicates that garlic may reduce the effects of fatigue after exercise. For anyone who works out on a regular basis, supplementing with garlic isn’t just a way to boost your performance; it may also be a way to protect your heart from overexertion.
Removing Toxins
In the modern world, people are often exposed to substances, materials, and situations that can increase the level of heavy metal toxicity in their bodies. Fortunately, garlic has been shown to reduce toxicity levels.
A major study involving employees at a car battery plant provides key evidence. Researchers tested the blood lead concentration levels of 117 workers. Over four weeks, one group took regular garlic supplements, while another group took what essentially amounted to a placebo.
After the study was over, the group that supplemented with garlic experienced substantial reductions in the subjective factors related to heavy metal toxicity, including irritability and headache. On top of that, garlic was shown to significantly reduce blood lead concentration levels in participants.
If you work, live, or frequently spend time in environments where you may be exposed to these kinds of toxins, it’s a good idea to start taking garlic supplements on a regular basis. Heavy metal toxicity can impact your mood, comfort, and health. It’s important to do what you can to reduce it. Luckily, garlic can be very helpful in this regard.
Fighting Cancer
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, it’s essential to take a proactive approach to your health. Don’t think that you can treat this condition through garlic alone. Make sure you and your doctor are working hard to keep the illness at bay.
That being said, you should know what the NIH National Cancer Institute has to say about garlic’s potential benefits
“Several population studies show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast… protective effects from garlic may arise from its antibacterial properties or from its ability to block the formation of cancer-causing substances, halt the activation of cancer-causing substances, enhance DNA repair, reduce cell proliferation, or induce cell death.”
A study of 345 breast cancer patients provided evidence to indicate that increased garlic consumption reduces the risk of breast cancer progression. In a large-scale, population-based study focusing on people in the San Francisco Bay Area, researchers found that people who consumed large amounts of garlic were 54 percent less likely to develop pancreatic cancer than people who did not.
Currently, most of the research indicates that garlic is useful when it comes to preventing cancer. That said, there is already good reason to believe that it’s effective at fighting cancer that’s already present in the body. Garlic contains compounds that have been shown to kill cancer cells.
While it’s not accurate to claim that taking garlic on a daily basis will cure cancer, it may be accurate to assume that consuming large amounts of garlic regularly will reduce your risk of developing cancer, and slow the progression of the disease if you’re already suffering from it. As always, just make sure you’re also listening to your doctor’s advice.
Managing Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the top killers in the world. Many people have adopted lifestyles and habits that put them at much greater risk of developing heart disease. On top of that, the symptoms of heart disease are often difficult to spot until a major incident like a heart attack occurs. That’s just another reason to make sure you’re seeing your physician on a regular basis and taking steps to live a healthier lifestyle.
It’s also a good reason to start supplementing with garlic. After reviewing the major research on the subject, scientists discovered that consuming substantial amounts of garlic generally protects the hearts of both humans and animals.
Perhaps more importantly, a recent study shows that even if you’ve already developed heart disease, garlic may help to reverse it. Fifty-five patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, whose ages ranged from 40 to 75 years, were separated into two groups: one that received regular garlic supplementation, and another that received a placebo. The findings of the study indicated that taking garlic actually reduces the levels of plaque in a patient’s arteries, paving the way for a significant improvement in overall cardiovascular health.
Once more, when you have a significant medical condition, you shouldn’t dismiss any treatment method that can potentially help you. However, that doesn’t mean you should overlook the benefits of treatment methods that involve no side effects, cost very little, and are easy to test out.
For many years, people throughout the world have regarded garlic as a major contributor to a person’s overall wellness. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or you’d just like to feel better throughout the day, supplementing with it is a smart idea.
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