Garlic is a medicinal herb of Asian origin. Today, garlic is cultivated worldwide. In history, garlic has been used in traditional folk medicine as a natural cure for diabetes. Modern scientific research also lends support to this traditional use. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian before using garlic.
Garlic and Blood Sugar Level
Garlic is a traditional herbal medicine used among diabetics, especially in Asian nations. Research conducted on diabetic rats at Shiraz University College of Veterinary in Iran has demonstrated garlic's beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of certain complications associated with human diabetes mellitus. This herb also helps support healthy blood sugar levels by improving glucose utilization and increasing insulin levels, explains G.A. Jelodar, a research scientist at Shiraz University.
Raw Garlic Extract
M. Thomson, a biology professor at Kuwait University, Kuwait, and colleagues investigated the effects raw and boiled garlic extracts on serum glucose levels in diabetic rats. The results, published in "The Journal of Nutrition" in March 2006, showed that raw garlic extract was effective in reducing blood glucose levels even in short-term treatment, while boiled garlic was found to have little effect.
Antidiabetic Activity
In a study by C.T. Liu and colleagues at Chun Shan Medical University, Taiwan, long-term green tea consumption significantly improved insulin sensitivity and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes, which was later published in the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" on August 2006. The analysis of this study, however, completely ruled out the involvement of diallyl disulfide -- the main active ingredient of garlic -- in the antidiabetic activity of garlic.
Precautions
People with bleeding disorders should not consume large amounts of garlic. It dilutes the blood and could increase the risk of bleeding. Garlic also should not be used by people with impaired thyroid function. It decreases thyroid gland activity by interfering with thyroid metabolism. Maximum safe doses of garlic for pregnant and lactating women have not been determined, so stay on the safe side and avoid its use.
References
- Herbal Safety: Garlic; Armando Gonzalez
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Antidiabetic Effect of Garlic Oil but not Diallyl Disulfide in Rats with Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes; C.T. Liu, et al.; August 2006
- "Indian Journal of Medical Sciences"; Effect of Fenugreek, Onion and Garlic on Blood Glucose and Histopathology of Pancreas of Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats; G.A. Jelodar, et al.; February 2005
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Including Garlic in the Diet may Help Lower Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides; M. Thomson, et al.; March 2006
