Garlic and Cardiovascular Disease: Prevent and Cure Heart Related Ailments with Garlic
Cardiovascular diseases are undoubtedly the topmost cause of global morality today. These heart diseases come with a substantial amount of economic impact as well. If we look at the statistics, the annual deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases is likely to increase dramatically in the next decade. People from across the globe have considered countless dietary supplements to prevent heart diseases like hypertension, atherosclerosis, etc.
What you eat is a big deal if you are suffering from a CVD (cardiovascular disease) or for its prevention. Dietary factors like fruit, Mediterranean diet, whole grains, fish,etc. significantly aid in alleviating the CVD risk. One such staple to combat heart diseases is garlic. It might come as a surprise,but Ayurveda states the myriad benefits of garlic in respect of strengthening the heart and improving the blood flow. To Know More Read: Garlic as Medicinal Herb: Used in Ayurveda for Thousands of Years
History of Garlic as a Supplement to Prevent CVD
Garlic is seen as an essential vegetable with medicinal properties since ancient times. If we look at the texts from ancient Ayurveda, they have referred to garlic as something that improves blood flow and strengthens the heart.
Moreover, other old traditions like the Egyptian Codex Ebers from the 1500 BC also recommend garlic to treat heart disease, tumors, worms, bites and other conditions. Moving to the west, Hippocrates who is a well-known Greek physician from the 400 BC and Pliny,the Elder who is the Roman authority from 77 A.D. have also recommended garlic for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Read: Garlic was Used in Ancient Greece and Rome as Food and Medicine
Scientific experiments were done as early as 1926 that indicated the benefits of garlic on cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, some intensive studies were done in the 1960s and 1970s that showed that garlic helps in reducing serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies show that garlic actually helps cardiovascular diseases, read here.
Hence, there is solid evidence to show that garlic is beneficial to prevent and cureheart-related ailments.
How does Garlic Work?
Garlic has some ingredients in it that help the cardiovascular system through various mechanisms. According to the studies, it has many constituents that are biologically extremely active,but there are several uncertainties about how they react to each other and helps against cardiovascular ailments.
There are compounds like Ajoene and others that inhibit the aggregation of platelets and helps in preventing CVD. Allicin is another compound that has antiplatelet aggregating activity. However, studying its clinical effects have been difficult due to its instability.
Some other constituents in garlic inhibit enzymes that are involved in making cholesterol like HMG-CoA reductase. The antioxidants present in garlic help against the development of atherosclerosis. It also relaxes the muscles that help against hypertension. Various Sulphur compounds in garlic release Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) from red blood cells in the human body.
Also Read: Garlic as Ayurvedic Tonic: Builds Strength and Stamina, and Enhances General Wellbeing
Clinical Studies Corroborating the Efficiency of Garlic
Many animal experiments and laboratory tests have verified the fact that garlic and all its constituents are somehow associated with cardiovascular diseases in terms of its biological activities. However, there has always been several controversies regarding the clinical importance corroborating all these findings.
The trial results have often been witnessed as contradictory,but the benefits have largely been highlighted. The most amount of research and attention has been given to the benefits of garlic in relation to the lipid levels and serum cholesterol. Studies have shown that garlic plays a massive role in lowering the blood pressure. For more on: research on the effects of garlic on cardiovascular diseases, read here.
Garlic also demonstrates amazing antioxidant properties that are very good for the heart. Moreover, the daily consumption of garlic and its preparations improves blood flow in the body and strengthening the heart. Garlic also aids in platelet aggregation.
Especially if you consume aged garlic or raw garlic first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, it has been proved that your heart will always remain as strong as a horse. Read: Proven Benefits of Eating Raw Garlic on Empty Stomach
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be verified that garlic and its preparations assist significantly in alleviating several risk factors that are associated with CVD. All the evidence and data are a testimony to its efficacy as a dietary supplement to prevent heart diseases and keep it strong& healthy. Owing to the excellent safety profile of garlic, it might definitelybe considered as a staple that provides substantial protection from the cardiovascular diseases.
Also Read: Historical Uses of Garlic: Used all Around The World as Food and Medicine for Thousands of Years
