| GARLIC
What Is It?
Garlic (Allium sativum), a member of the onion
family, has been used for thousands of years both as a food
and an herbal remedy. It produces long, flat leaves that
resemble spears (gar is the Old English word for "spear";
lac means "plant"). The bulb contains a cluster
of several separate pieces, called cloves, enclosed in a
papery skin. Ancient Greek physicians believed that garlic
could provide help against numerous complaints, including
parasite infections, respiratory problems, poor digestion,
and low energy.
How Does It Work?
Garlic produces a sulfur-containing compound
called allicin. When acted on by enzymes, allicin is converted
into other active ingredients.
Will It Help?
Scientific studies confirm that garlic helps
prevent atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries")
by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
It prevents the formation of blood clots by reducing the
stickiness of platelets and by fibrinolysis (preventing
clotting proteins from forming a mesh that can trap blood
cells). It also has mild activity in preventing infections
by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and perhaps intestinal parasites.
Garlic extracts stimulate the immune system, for example
by triggering the proliferation of lymphocytes, boosting
the release of cytokines, and promoting activity by natural
killer cells.
Some studies suggest that people whose diets
include high levels of garlic are at lower risk of cancers
of the stomach, esophagus, and colon. In animal and laboratory
studies, the sulfur compounds in garlic may inhibit activity
by certain enzymes, which may account for the anticancer
properties of the herb. However, the doses of garlic needed
to produce these effects in animals may be too high for
humans to consume. Also, garlic compounds have triggered
the development of liver cancer in experimental animal studies.
Recommendations
There is an ongoing debate about which form
of garlic is best: whole raw garlic or garlic in tablet
form; aged or fresh garlic; garlic with odor or "deodorized"
garlic. To prevent breath or body odor, some people prefer
enteric-coated tablets (which prevent digestion of garlic
until it reaches the small intestine). Too much garlic can
cause heartburn and flatulence.
Many people can consume adequate levels of
garlic simply by increasing its use in the diet. Check with
your doctor before taking garlic supplements. Because the
herb can prevent clotting, people scheduled to undergo surgery
should talk to the surgeon beforehand.
··Scientists Think Garlic Might Prevent Bowel
Cancer
Researchers in New Zealand say garlic might prevent bowel
cancer. In a study, rats were fed a substance found in garlic.
According to the television station, the garlic stimulated
cancer-fighting enzymes in the rats. Scientists say the
best way for you to get the same benefits is to eat raw
garlic.
Suppressive
action of garlic oil on growth and differentiation of
human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823
More information:
The Garlic
Information Center an international information
service on the medicinal benefits of garlic.
The Stinking Rose is a Southern California restaurant serving
everything garlic.
Related story:
May 18, 1999: Curing
Bad -- And We Mean Bad -- Breath
Aug 7, 2000:
The Wall Street Journal report about early
year history of our company
This The Stinkin Rose Ring site owned
by John Huang.
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