Garlic for Lowering Cholesterol

Garlic for lowering cholesterol is a perfect example of natural cholesterol remedies. It is one of a number of cholesterol reducing herbs that help in lowering LDL cholesterol. Garlic has multiple health benefits and such as reducing inflammation, raising hdl cholesterol, and having antibacterial properties as well.

Garlic can be used as a food, nutritional supplement or both. You can include it in your diet in many ways. It has multiple benefits beyond the positive effects on your cholesterol levels.  The active ingredient called allicin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.

A Journal Nutrition Research study (1987, 7:139-49) showed Kyolic liquid garlic extract lowered cholesterol levels 12 to 31% in most of test subjects within six months. More than 70% of the people on Kyolic garlic extract reduced cholesterol more than 10%. Only 17% of the people not taking it showed similar improvement.

This clearly indicates the value of garlic for reducing cholesterol. Garlic inhibits the oxidation of LDL which is critical to preventing heart attacks! Garlic can also prevent thrombosis, the abnormal blood platelet formation that damages arteries and can cause strokes. Yet another study found that garlic significantly lowered cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising HDL cholesterol (the beneficial kind).

Note: High dosages of garlic for lowering cholesterol should be taken with your largest meal because they can cause stomach upset.

A study in June of 1994, (JAMA, June 1, 1994, 271[21]:1660-61) showed adults who ate one-half to one clove of garlic every day reduced cholesterol levels by 9%. 7 out of 8 studies showed dosages from 600-900 mg of powdered garlic reduced both cholesterol and triglyceride levels between 5% to 20%. Kyolic, a brand name for an "aged" garlic extract supplement, showed the ability to reduce platelet aggregation (the tendency of blood platelets to stick together causing clots) by 30% compared to the placebo.

Garlic for lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks works in the following ways:

Lowering LDL cholesterolRaising HDL cholesterolPreventing the oxidation of LDLReducing arterial plaqueInhibits fibrogenic activity (tendency of the blood to become sticky)Protecting the endothelium (lining of the arteries ) from oxidation.

Garlic for lowering cholesterol only works in really large dosages such as 6000 - 8000mg/day, however when used with other cholesterol reducing herbs and other natural cholesterol remedies, you won't need quite as much. Garlic when taken as a supplement, or used in your food is a great addition to your diet. It is a natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol reducing herb, who's overall health benefits are hard to beat!

George Parigian Jr. enjoys writing on a number of topics such as how to lower cholesterol naturally. Visit his blog Lower Cholesterol Naturally Now for more information!


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