You can use garlic, a garden vegetable closely related to the onion, as a detox. Freshly sliced, chopped or minced garlic offers health benefits, ridding the body of unnatural substances and promoting a strong immune system. Raw garlic, known for its strong odor, adds a pungent flavoring to foods.
Function
Allicin, the active sulfide compound in garlic, is produced when raw garlic is crushed. This compound develops within the first 10 minutes after opening a freshly opened clove. Use a fork, knife or fingernail to bruise a small area of the clove. Mince or crush garlic with a food processor or garlic press to yield a much higher level of allicin. The finer cut the garlic, the stronger its potential for medicinal uses. Garlic starts to lose medicinal properties shortly after it is crushed and should be consumed within five to 15 minutes of bruising. Cooking garlic decreases its health benefits.
Benefits
Regular garlic consumption may help reduce blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Garlic may also decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing plaque buildup in the arteries. Allicin works to reduce inflammation and infections. Researchers have studied whether a garlic detox can help fight infections associated with common ailments such as athlete's foot, asthma, vaginal infections, the common cold and yeast infections. Garlic also provides nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin B and the minerals selenium and manganese.
Theories
Use garlic to help remove many of the unnatural substances that slowly build up in your body. Garlic increases your body's ability to fight off disease by strengthening the immune system and ridding it of toxins. Garlic's sulfur compounds have the ability remove metallic toxins while providing antioxidants. Processed foods, prescription drugs, poor air quality and water pollution can all be deposited in your fat stores. The buildup of these chemicals can increase your need for a natural body flush. Detox by modifying your daily garlic intake.
Types
A detox can be as simple as adding a garlic supplement to your daily or weekly meal plans. Taking garlic supplements in the forms of powders, pills or capsules may also provide similar effects to ingesting fresh garlic without the added and somewhat overpowering raw garlic taste. The World Health Organization recommends 2 g to 5 g of fresh garlic or 0.4 g to 1.2 g of dried powder for adult ages 18 and older. This dosage is equivalent to 2 mg to 5 mg of allicin.
Warning
Garlic, though a natural substance, can cause drug interactions, irritations and allergies. Avoid excess quantities of raw garlic if you are not familiar with your body's natural reaction to allicin or other compounds found in this food.
Signs of reaction may include dizziness, rash, fever, headache and vomiting. If you are taking blood thinners or other medications, consult your doctor about potential complications. Do not attempt a detox without approval from your health care provider.
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