New study out of Poland suggests garlic extract may reduce cardiovascular risk in obese individuals

By Adi Menayang

- Last updated on GMT

Getty Images / Sasha Suzi
Getty Images / Sasha Suzi

Related tags Cardiovascular disease Obesity Garlic Garlic supplements

A three-month long study in Poland suggests that garlic extract supplementation improved some markers linked to cardiovascular risk better than a placebo.

Researchers observed that among the 88 participants who completed the study, those who ingested the garlic extract supplement had modified endothelial biomarkers—indicators associated with cardiovascular risk—by the end of the intervention period.

This suggests that ​[garlic extract] can be used to suppress chronic inflammation in obese individuals,” ​wrote the authors, affiliated with the University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland, and Rutgers University.

Their report was published online​ ahead of print in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy​, due for printing in the upcoming June edition of the journal.

The main outcome the researchers analyzed was the potential effects of garlic on arterial stiffness and endothelial function among participants with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25.

“The first line of defense against obesity and its comorbidities is lifestyle modification,”​ they argued. “One of the most recognizable functional foodstuffs ​[for this] is garlic, one of a few plants that contain allyl-substituted sulfur compounds, which has served as a remedy for various ailments since the antiquity.”

Study design: Participant recruitment and supplement intervention

Individuals were eligible to participate if they were aged 25-60 years and met the BMI criteria set by the researchers. Another consideration was stability of body weight, no drug-treated hypertension, and no history of coronary artery disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure.

For the randomized, double-blind study, researchers divided participants into two groups, assigned to receive garlic or placebo. Participants were asked to continue their habitual exercise and diet regimes unchanged for the duration of the study.

Polish pharmaceutical company Olimp Laboratories provided the capsules. Participants were instructed to consume two capsules with their breakfast each day for three months.

The Garlicin supplement group received odorless extract of garlic with 2% allicin dosed at 400 mg per day. The placebo group’s capsule contained pure microcrystalline cellulose.

Participants visited a clinic for researchers to make measurements on body size and weight, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness. Researchers also conducted biochemical analysis of metabolic parameters such as plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides.

Significance

The researchers observed “three months garlic supplementation decreases arterial stiffness index,” ​they wrote. This builds on previous studies on garlic extract's benefits, the researchers argued, citing results from studies like one published in 2005​ on men with coronary artery disease, and another from 2013​ on patients with ischemic stroke.

One major limitation of the study is the relatively small number of included individuals. “The main reason for this was the very rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria,”​ they wrote.

“However, these criteria enabled us to select a homogenous group of subjects not encumbered by diseases or states that might significantly affect the results of the study.”

“The role of garlic in cardiovascular prevention needs further investigation, but it appears that supplementation with garlic could be a useful therapy for obese patients,” ​they added.

Source: ​Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Published online ahead of print, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.131
Garlic extract favorably modifies markers of endothelial function in obese patients –randomized double blind placebo-controlled nutritional intervention
Authors: Monika Szulińska, et al.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

MOROSIL:INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR

MOROSIL:INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR

Content provided by BIONAP BIOACTIVE NATURAL PRODUCTS | 07-Mar-2024 | Product Brochure

MOROSIL™ has won as Ingredient of the Year in the category Weight Management at 2023 Nutraingredient USA. MOROSIL ™ is a standardized extract derived from...

In Weight Management Go Beyond with Slendacor®

In Weight Management Go Beyond with Slendacor®

Content provided by PLT Health Solutions | 22-Feb-2024 | White Paper

Slendacor® is a synergistic, patented formulation of three standardized herbal extracts: turmeric (Curcuma longa), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and curry...

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Content provided by Aker BioMarine | 14-Feb-2024 | White Paper

The global population is getting older—according to WHO by 2050 the world’s population over 60 years will double and the population above 80 years will...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars