Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and clogged arteries, affects millions of people worldwide. Several factors contribute to these conditions, such as obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a poor diet. Consuming excessive refined sugars, which are inflammatory, leads to inflammation throughout the body, causing increased fat accumulation, plaque build-up, and clogging of arteries. Over time, these conditions worsen and can lead to severe symptoms, often too late to address. This discussion focuses on the beneficial effects of aged garlic on arterial health.
Aged Garlic and Arterial Health
Unlike regular garlic, aged garlic does not contain allicin, produced when fresh garlic is chopped. Despite this, aged garlic has been proven to have many beneficial effects on arterial health. Two specific studies, one from Science News and the other from PubMed, support this claim.
Study Findings
In a 2016 study by the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, it was shown that aged garlic could reduce dangerous plaque buildup in arteries. The study involved 55 patients with metabolic syndrome, characterized by obesity, hypertension, and other cardiac risk factors. Researchers found a reduction in the amount of soft plaque in the arteries of patients who took aged garlic extract. Participants were either given a placebo or a dose of 2400 milligrams of aged garlic extract every day. The results showed that the extract slowed total plaque accumulation by 80%, reduced soft plaque, and demonstrated regression, meaning there was less plaque at follow-up.
In the same year, another study published in PubMed showed that aged garlic inhibits platelet aggregation. This means that it prevents blood cells from sticking together and forming a blockage in the arteries, which, if not prevented, could lead to heart attacks or strokes. The study concluded that aged garlic extract inhibits platelet aggregation by increasing cyclic nucleotides and inhibiting fibrinogen binding and platelet shape change. This is crucial as it prevents the formation of fibrin within the arteries, which could lead to further clogging.
These studies indicate that adding aged garlic extract to your diet could be beneficial for arterial health. However, it’s essential to make overall lifestyle changes, including healthier eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, and proper hydration. Remember, arterial damage has been building up for a long time and won’t disappear overnight. Making positive changes now can make a significant difference. Please share this information with your friends and family, and make it a great day!