Garlic is a heart-healthy spice and, when used as a supplement, may help lower high blood pressure in some individuals. Though there are prescription medications to manage blood pressure problems, garlic may prove beneficial for some when included in a treatment plan. Before using garlic supplements, ask your doctor whether it is safe for you to take considering any other blood pressure medications you may be on.
Garlic
Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It helps reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce plaque buildup in the arteries, lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and strengthen the immune system, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Antioxidants in garlic can help protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals; possibly also reducing the risk of developing cancer. As a supplement, garlic can be taken as aged garlic extract or coated garlic tablets.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure describes the force against the walls of your arteries as blood moves through the body. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg; when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher most of the time, this is a condition known as hypertension, or high blood pressure. Medications may be prescribed for high blood pressure and can include diuretics, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, vasodilators and angiotensin receptor blockers. Diet and lifestyle changes may be recommended as well, to help control your blood pressure and keep it under a certain number.
Medication and Garlic
There are drugs for hypertension, but adding garlic may provide added benefits. A 2011 study in the "Journal of Natural Medicines" found hypertensive rats who consumed a combination of garlic and hydrochlorothiazide, or HCTZ, displayed cardioprotective effects and properties of lower blood pressure. A moderate amount of garlic, approximately 250 mg/kg, was more effective than a low dose, but higher doses were not effective. Another study, from 2010, in "Phytomedicine," found that adding garlic to the blood pressure medicine captopril enhanced its therapeutic effects in mice. More research needs to be done with human subjects, but these are promising results. If you have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about whether garlic may benefit your situation.
Considerations
As a spice, garlic is generally harmless, but as a supplement, it has the potential to interact with medications, such as blood-thinning medications and protease inhibitors. Tell your doctor about any other supplements or medicines you are on to determine whether it is safe for you to use garlic supplements. Garlic is not meant to replace your blood pressure medications or diet and lifestyle modifications, and will not cure your hypertension. It may not be safe or appropriate for everyone, so consult with your doctor before consuming garlic as a treatment for a medical condition.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Garlic; Dr. Steven Ehrlich; November 2008
- PubMed Health; Hypertension; Dr. David Zieve and David Eltz; July 2010
- "Journal of Natural Medicines"; The Potential Benefits of a Garlic and Hydrochlorothiazide Combination as Antihypertensive and Cardioprotective in Rats; SM Asdaq and MN Inamdar; 2011
- "Phytomedicine"; Potential of Garlic and its Active Constituent, S-allyl Cysteine, as Antihypertensive and Cardioprotective in Presence of Captopril; SM Asdaq and MN Inamdar; 2010
