People take garlic for a variety of medical reasons, from heightening their immune systems to warding off cancer. While more research is needed, consuming garlic may be able to lower your blood pressure, particularly if it is high to begin with. This in turn may help slow the progression of heart disease. Ask your doctor if garlic supplements can help control your high blood pressure, and discuss dosing and precautions with her before consuming it.
Uses for Garlic
Supplemental garlic has multiple functions, and the primary one is for lowering high cholesterol levels. This can help lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Garlic contains antioxidants that help protect your cells from environmental harm and the age-related diseases that free radicals can cause. Garlic may even help prevent you from contracting a cold by enhancing your immune system, which may also make it useful for preventing certain types of cancer. However, as of date of publication, more research is needed to determine the efficacy of garlic in these areas.
Garlic and Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be dangerous on its own, and it is one of several factors that can also increase your risk of developing heart disease. Garlic works to thin your blood and help it flow more easily through your veins, thereby lowering your blood pressure. MayoClinic.com states that both consuming garlic as a food and taking it as a supplement may be useful as part of your doctor-approved treatment for decreasing high blood pressure.
Dosing
You can consume garlic in many ways, such as using fresh or aged cloves in your cooking. It is also available in a variety of supplements, including oils, liquid extracts and tablets made from freeze-dried garlic. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the majority of research studies on garlic and its effects, including those concerning high blood pressure, use aged garlic extract or dried garlic tablets. Depending on your blood pressure and other factors, your doctor can help you determine which type and dosing of garlic is best for you.
Additional Considerations and Precautions
Tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements you take prior to consuming garlic, since it can interact with some of these. For example, if you are on blood thinners, garlic may enhance the effects of these medications and increase your risk of bleeding. Common side effects of garlic include stomach upset, bad breath, body odor and allergic skin reactions. If you experience any of these or other side effects when consuming garlic, seek medical attention.
