You may think garlic is a vegetable, but it is actually an herb. Garlic has been used as a culinary herb, especially in the Mediterranean diet, and medicinally since Biblical times. Fresh garlic contains a naturally occurring phytochemical that contains powerful antioxidant properties that may protect you against heart disease and cancer, according to Medline Plus. Scientists still are investigating garlic's mechanisms to protect you against other health problems.
Garlic's Phytochemical
Allicin is a phytochemical that is the main natural substance in garlic. Allicin has properties that can fight against cancer cells, decrease the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver and reduce blood clotting, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. If you have high cholesterol, garlic can help to lower it a little -- but every little bit helps. Garlic can protect you against heart disease by slowing down the hardening of your arteries. Garlic can protect you against certain cancers but scientists are still investigating.
Fresh, Dried or Extract
"Nutrient needs should be met primarily through consuming foods," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. Inside the fresh garlic bulb are smaller segments of garlic called cloves. You can eat garlic raw, baked or cooked to get optimal health benefits. Fresh garlic contains the greatest amount of allicin, which provides you with the greatest amount of protection. As garlic ages, it loses its allicin potency. Garlic also comes in processed forms of dried or powdered garlic tables and garlic liquid extracts sold by many companies. However, these processed forms are not regulated and may reduce the amount of allicin in the garlic to little or none at all, as noted by Medline Plus.
High Blood Pressure
According to Medline Plus, you can take a minimum of 600 mg up to a maximum of 1,200 mg of garlic extract for high blood pressure three times per day. For example, you can take 200 mg of garlic extract three times per day or you can take 400 mg of garlic extract three times per day. Or you can eat one clove of fresh garlic per day for high blood pressure. One clove of fresh garlic weighs is about 4 grams and provides 1 percent of allicin, according to Medline Plus.
Prevent Certain Cancers
Eating garlic weekly can provide some protection against colon cancer, rectal cancer and stomach cancer. According to Medline Plus, the suggested amount is a minimum of 3.5 g to a maximum of 29 g of fresh or cooked garlic to get some protective health benefits. That would be about one clove to eight cloves of fresh or cooked garlic per week.
Precautions
NCCAM states that fresh garlic is relatively safe for everyone. If you want to try eating fresh garlic, start off with one clove to be sure it will not upset your stomach or give you heartburn, which are common symptoms of eating fresh garlic noted by NCCAM. If you have a bleeding disorder, or you are planning to have surgery -- even dental surgery -- you need to avoid it prior to surgery or use it sparingly. Garlic is a blood thinner similar to aspirin, according to NCCAM, so talk to your doctor about the amount of garlic you are eating. Garlic can also decrease the effectiveness of certain medications. If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about the interactions between garlic and your medications or other herbs and supplements you are taking.
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