Garlic helps the heart keep healthy
November 14th, 2007 - 2:19 am ICT by adminCarrying out a research on a mouse model, researchers noted that low concentrations of hydrogen sulphide play a vital role in helping cells to communicate with each other.
It is also needed within blood vessels where it stimulates the cells that form the lining to relax, causing the vessels to dilate, which in turn reduces blood pressure, allowing the blood to carry more oxygen to essential organs, thereby reducing pressure on the heart.
The researchers found that garlic can reduce tension within the vessels by 72 percent.
Lead researcher Dr David Kraus said that the study showed that including garlic in the diet is a good idea.
“Our results suggest garlic in the diet is a very good thing,” the BBC quoted him, as saying.
“Certainly in areas where garlic consumption is high, such as the Mediterranean and the Far East, there is a low incidence of cardiovascular disease.”
However, Judy O’Sullivan, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, warned that the results of the study didn’t mean that people should start consuming garlic supplements.
“This interesting study suggests that garlic may provide some heart health benefits,” she said.
“However, there remains insufficient evidence to support the notion of eating garlic as medicine in order to reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
“Having garlic as part of a varied diet is a matter of personal choice.
“It is important to note that large amounts in supplement form may interact with blood thinning drugs and could increase the risk of bleeding.”
The study appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (ANI)
- Garlic oil component protects heart - Nov 17, 2011
- Garlic beats antibiotics in quelling food-borne illness - May 04, 2012
- Bees 'self-medicate' when infected - Apr 02, 2012
- Crushed garlic better than dried for heart, finds Indian American - Jul 30, 2009
- Molasses extract helps in reducing obesity - Jul 12, 2011
- Leafy greens 'could help protect vascular health' - Mar 24, 2011
- Tart cherries may reduce inflammation, risk factors for heart disease - Apr 13, 2011
- Aged garlic extract can lower blood pressure - Aug 16, 2010
- Prebiotic helps lower colon cancer risk: study - May 04, 2012
- How omega-3 fatty acids keep blindness at bay - Feb 10, 2011
- Study says that Mediterranean diet fights heart disease - Mar 10, 2011
- Strawberries prevent heart disease, diabetes - Jul 06, 2012
- Garlic could help treat hypertension - Nov 17, 2010
- Red wine makes cancer drug more potent - Feb 15, 2011
- Latest scan can tell need for bypass - Aug 29, 2012
Tags: allicin, bbc, blood thinning drugs, british heart foundation, cardiac nurse, cardiovascular disease, cells, communicate with each other, coronary heart disease, garlic supplements, health benefits, hydrogen sulphide, national academy of sciences, o sullivan, proceedings of the national academy of sciences, risk, study showed that, study suggests that, sulphur compounds, taint