It is hard to say what prompted people to start using garlic medicinally, nut it is an old tradition. In 18th century Europe, a drink of crushed garlic and wine was believed to protect people from the plague. Nowadays, garlic supplements are promoted to prevent cancer, lower cholesterol and normalize blood pressure. And some evidence exists that garlic may support your digestive system. But do not use garlic as replacement for your doctor’s prescription.
Garlic and Digestive Health
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a study found that women who consume garlic regularly might be 35 percent less likely to develop colon cancer. The Iowa researchers observed 41,000 thousand women and their diets to reach that conclusion. In addition, garlic seems to lessen the damage that chemotherapy drugs sometimes cause to the intestines.
How It Works
Crushed garlic contains a substance called allicin that retards the spread of colon cancer cells in the laboratory, as reported in the journal “Nutrition and Cancer” in 2000. Besides, a 2008 article in “Cancer Letters” says that other garlic components that include diallyl disulfide, S-allylcysteine and ajoene protect laboratory animals from cancers by stopping cell growth. The same effect was observed in cells growing in vitro, or outside a living organism.
Precautions
Garlic supplements are usually safe. Yet, as is often the case with medicinal products, the risk of side effects exists. Even as garlic helps one aspect of your digestive health, it can also cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Besides, you may feel a burning in your stomach after taking garlic. To some people, the substance is an allergen. Get medical help if it becomes difficult to breathe or if you develop hives or swelling anywhere above the neck while using garlic.
How to Take It
Garlic is available in different forms, including the fresh clove. Use garlic as your doctor instructs you. Manufacturers of garlic supplements list general adult dosages on product labels. The daily serving of aged garlic extract is usually 600 mg to 1,200 mg divided in smaller portions through the day. Freeze-dried garlic tablets come in different strengths. You may be able to take two 200 mg tablets three times daily if the product is 0.6 percent allicin. Your health-care provider should specify what formulation you need to get. The serving for liquid extracts is usually 4 mL daily and 20 ml for tinctures. The range for garlic oil is 0.03 mL to 0.12 ml 3 times daily. You also have the option of eating two to four minced garlic cloves daily for the health benefit.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Garlic; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.; Nov. 17, 2008
- “Nutrition and Cancer”; Effect of Purified Allicin, the Major Ingredient of Freshly Crushed Garlic, on Cancer Cell Proliferation; K. Hirsch, et al.; 2000
- “Cancer Letters”; Multitargeted Prevention and Therapy of Cancer by Diallyl Trisulfide and Related Allium Vegetable-derived Organosulfur Compounds; A.A. Powolny, et al.; Oct. 8, 2008
- Drugs.com: Garlic
