Aged garlic extract reduces blood pressure in hypertensives

[lolex]

Garlic supplements reduce high cholesterol and decrease risk of heart disease

I thought that this was very persuasive and a positive contribution re Hypertension control...

Press Release from The National Institute of Integrative Medicine

New Australian research finds garlic supplements reduce high cholesterol and greatly decrease risk of heart disease

Monday 6 May, 2013 (TBC) - New research, led by Dr. Karin Ried of The University of Adelaide and the National Institute of Integrative Medicine and, has found garlic supplements can reduce cholesterol in those with elevated levels by 8 per cent[1]. This 8 per cent reduction is significant as it is associated with a 38 per cent decrease in the risk of coronary events for those at 50 years of age[2] [3].
The research, released in the May issue of Nutrition Reviews, follows Dr. Ried’s 2012 research which found Aged Garlic Extract reduces blood pressure by a degree comparable to frontline pharmaceutical medications. The research offers hope to those not responding to frontline medications, or who would prefer a natural therapy.

“The results of this study are really exciting for the 6.4 million Australians[4] who have high cholesterol, and especially those who are making lifestyle changes to bring their levels down before resorting to prescription medications,” said Dr. Ried.
“No one should change their current treatment plan or stop taking their medication without consulting their doctor. However this research - along with my previous research on Aged Garlic Extract - shows garlic and particularly Aged Garlic Extract, could be a safe and effective alternative to pharmaceutical blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications for many people”.
The research is the most comprehensive to date (a meta-analysis of 39 primary trials) on the heart health benefits of garlic supplements. The results suggest garlic supplements to be effective in reducing total serum cholesterol by 17 +/- 6 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 9 +/- 6 mg/dL in individuals with elevated cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dL) if taken for at least two months.

The research also found garlic supplements to be associated with minimal side effects in comparison to the potentially debilitating side effects of the commonly used pharmaceutical ‘statins’ which include muscular pain, memory loss, sexual dysfunction and an increased risk of diabetes.

“I think it is important for Australians to remember that our bodies need some cholesterol to function and that a combination of high blood pressure, high ‘bad’ cholesterol and age, are all contributors to heart disease,” continued Dr. Ried. “However in my opinion, for those experiencing slightly elevated levels of cholesterol, changes to lifestyle and proven natural heart health supplements such as Aged Garlic Extract, should be a first-option treatment ahead of frontline pharmaceutical medications”.

This research has been supported by the Australian Government Primary Health Care Research and Evaluation (PHCRED) Program.
http://www.niim.com.au/news/garlic-supp ... rt-disease


Aged garlic extract reduces blood pressure in hypertensives: a dose–response trial
K Ried1,2, O R Frank1 and N P Stocks1

Abstract

Background/objectives:
Hypertension affects about 30% of adults worldwide. Garlic has blood pressure-lowering properties and the mechanism of action is biologically plausible. Our trial assessed the effect, dose–response, tolerability and acceptability of different doses of aged garlic extract as an adjunct treatment to existing antihypertensive medication in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Subjects/methods:

A total of 79 general practice patients with uncontrolled systolic hypertension participated in a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled dose–response trial of 12 weeks. Participants were allocated to one of three garlic groups with either of one, two or four capsules daily of aged garlic extract (240/480/960 mg containing 0.6/1.2/2.4 mg of S-allylcysteine) or placebo. Blood pressure was assessed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks and compared with baseline using a mixed-model approach. Tolerability was monitored throughout the trial and acceptability was assessed at 12 weeks by questionnaire.
Results:

Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced by 11.8±5.4 mm Hg in the garlic-2-capsule group over 12 weeks compared with placebo (P=0.006), and reached borderline significant reduction in the garlic-4-capsule group at 8 weeks (−7.4±4.1 mm Hg, P=0.07). Changes in systolic blood pressure in the garlic-1-capsule group and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different to placebo. Tolerability, compliance and acceptability were high in all garlic groups (93%) and highest in the groups taking one or two capsules daily.

Conclusions:

Our trial suggests aged garlic extract to be an effective and tolerable treatment in uncontrolled hypertension, and may be considered as a safe adjunct treatment to conventional antihypertensive therapy.

http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v67/ ... 2178a.html

[Bossman]

I understood that the only word of caution for the use of garlic supplements is some reported evidence that they may promote macular degeneration. Is this correct?

[tjohnson_nb]

In light of the Pauling-Rath theory there is no point in addressing high cholesterol until one makes sure one has sufficient Vit C to have healthy collagen in blood vessels unless, I suppose, if one has a genetic anomaly that results in artificially high cholesterol.