Hyperlipidemia is characterized by elevated blood cholesterol levels. If there's too much cholesterol in the blood, it forms deposits on the walls of the arteries, increasing your likelihood of suffering cardiovascular disease or a stroke. According to the UC Davis Health Services website, hyperlipidemia is usually symptom-free but may cause fatty nodules to develop under the eyes. If you have hyperlipidemia, your doctor will likely suggest you make lifestyle changes such as more exercise and drinking less alcohol, or you may be given cholesterol-lowering drugs. Garlic may also help to lower blood cholesterol levels. Get medical advice before taking a garlic supplement.
Properties and Administration
Garlic, sometimes known as the nectar of the gods, is popular food flavoring that's also sometimes used as an alternative remedy for a number of ailments -- including hypertension, atherosclerosis, skin infections and high cholesterol, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Its active ingredient is an amino acid derivative known as alliin that may have antihyperlipidemic activity. You can take this herb raw; it's also available in capsule or tablet form. The amount you need may vary from person to person and according to the severity of your condition. Ask your doctor for advice.
Efficacy
The results of a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized study published in the December 2008 issue of the Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis found that after 12 weeks of treatment, cholesterol levels of garlic-treated patients fell by 7.6 percent, 11.5 percent lower than patients in the placebo group. Data from an earlier study, published in August 2000 in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, also found that garlic ameliorated hyperlipidemia in patients with nephrotic syndrome -- a condition characterized by proteinuria, oxidative stress and high blood cholesterol.
Side Effects and Contraindications
MedlinePlus says that taking garlic orally is likely safe for most people but may cause side effects -- including bad breath, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. It may also increase the risk of bleeding, so don't take it if you're scheduled to undergo surgery or if you have a bleeding disorder. It may also exacerbate asthma and cause an allergic reaction in some people. Garlic interacts with a number of medicines -- including anti-HIV medicines, the birth control pill, anticoagulants and drugs that are modified by the liver, such as calcium channel blockers.
Other Measures
You can also lower your blood cholesterol levels with a diet that's low in saturated fats, says UC Davis Student Health Services. Swap red meats and processed foods for poultry, fatty fish and fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of dairy products such as eggs and butter, and choose skimmed milk instead of whole milk. Your doctor can give you a diet plan.
References
- UC Davis Student Health Services: Cholesterol
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Garlic
- PubMed: Lipid-Lowering Effects of Time-Released Garlic Powder Tablets in Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Randomized Study
- PubMed: Garlic Ameliorates Hyperlipidemia in Chronic Aminonucleoside Nephrosis
- MedlinePlus: Garlic
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