Characterizing stomach or gastric cancer are such symptoms as fatigue, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and a bloated feeling, even with little food. Salted and pickled foods, family history, Helicobacter pylori infections and pernicious anemia may increase the risk of stomach cancer. Treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Certain foods such as garlic may also help manage the condition.
About Garlic
Garlic, or allium sativum, is a small plant native to central Asia. The cloves, present in the bulb of the plant, contain a chemical called allicin that is responsible for its medicinal properties. The body, however, does not properly absorb allicin in its raw form. Hence, garlic supplements containing a fermented usable form of allicin, available as oils and extracts, may be more effective in comparison to fresh garlic. The dosage may depend on the patient's age and overall condition.
Link Between Garlic and Stomach Cancer
Consumption of allium vegetables such as garlic reduces the risk of gastric cancer, according to a study in the journal "Gastroenterology" that was available online in April 2011. Another epidemiological study in the July-September 2005 issue of the "Asia Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention" also revealed that garlic stalks can also lower the risk of gastric cancer. The organosulfur compounds in garlic may be responsible for its anti-proliferative activity and may modulate the activity of enzymes that lead to oxidation of organic compounds, according to a study in the September 2001 issue of the journal "Environmental Health Perspectives." Garlic extracts may also alter the cell cycles of tumor cells and may induce their programmed death.
Side Effects
Garlic supplements are generally safe to use, although side effects such as bloating, bad breath, body odor, headache, fatigue and loss of appetite may occur in some cases, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Garlic may also interfere with certain blood-thinning and anti-platelet medications.
Precautions
To avoid possible drug interactions and adverse reactions, always talk to a doctor before using garlic or garlic supplements to prevent or treat gastric cancer. Inform your doctor about any other medications you might be taking. Also, remember that the production and distribution of garlic supplements is not Food and Drug Administration-regulated. Thus, try your best to ensure the product's quality.
References
- "Gastroenterology"; Consumption of Large Amounts of Allium Vegetables Reduces Risk for Gastric Cancer in a Meta-Analysis; Yong Zhou, et al.; April 2011
- "Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention"; Allium Vegetables and Stomach Cancer Risk in China; V.W. Setiawan, et al.; July-September 2005
- "Environmental Health Perspectives"; Allium Vegetables and Organosulfur Compounds: Do They Help Prevent Cancer?; Franca Bianchini, et al.; September 2001
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
