High blood pressure, or hypertension, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, is usually symptom-free. As such, it is sometimes known as the "silent killer." The U.K. National Health Service's website, NHS Choices, states that hypertension is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or above. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake will help lower your blood pressure. However, you may also need to take anti-hypertensive drugs. Garlic may also help lower high blood pressure, but evidence to prove this is limited. Do not use it in place of medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Properties and Dosage
Garlic is an herb commonly used to flavor food that may also have health benefits. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it is sometimes used to treat a variety of ailments including high cholesterol, atherosclerosis and skin infections. It contains a number of biologically-active compounds including allicin, which may have antibiotic and anti-platelet properties. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking 400mg two or three times daily may help lower blood pressure. However, this is only a guideline; you should ask your doctor what is right for you.
Efficacy
The results of a study by K.M. Reinhart and colleagues, published in the December 2008 issue of "The Annals of Pharmacotherapy" show that garlic lowers high blood pressure in patients with hypertension but has no effect on patients with normal blood pressure. A study by I.A. Sobenin et al, published in the June 2009 issue of "Hypertension Research," also found that time-released garlic powder tablets effectively lowered blood pressure in men with mild-to-moderate hypertension. An analysis of clinical data by K. Ried et al, published in June 2008 in "BMC Cardiovascular Disorders" concludes that garlic preparations are superior to placebo for reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Side Effects
Garlic is likely safe when taken orally. However, it may cause side effects such as bad breath, vomiting, body odor and diarrhea. However, you can largely avoid these effects by taking a garlic capsule instead of eating raw garlic. Garlic may also increase the risk of bleeding.
Contraindications
Avoid garlic if you have a bleeding disorder or if you have a stomach problem as it may make your condition worse. If you are due to undergo surgery, stop taking garlic at least two weeks before your procedure. This herb interacts with a large number of drugs including the birth control pill, some medicines used to treat HIV, such as nevirapine and delavirdine, and anti-coagulants.
References
- NHS Choices: Blood Pressure (High)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypothyroidism
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Garlic
- PubMed.gov: Effects of Garlic on Blood Pressure in Patients With and Without Systolic Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis
- PubMed.gov: Time-Released Garlic Powder Tablets Lower Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure in Men with Mild and Moderate Arterial Hypertension
- PubMed.gov: Effect of Garlic on Blood Pressure: A Sytematic Review and Meta-Analysis
