Effect of garlic on serum lipids: an updated meta-analysis

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The effect of garlic on blood lipids has been studied in numerous trials and summarized in meta-analyses, with conflicting results. This meta-analysis, the most comprehensive to date, includes 39 primary trials of the effect of garlic preparations on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. The findings suggest garlic to be effective in reducing total serum cholesterol by 17 ± 6 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 9 ± 6 mg/dL in individuals with elevated total cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dL), provided garlic is used for longer than 2 months. An 8% reduction in total serum cholesterol is of clinical relevance and is associated with a 38% reduction in risk of coronary events at 50 years of age. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels improved only slightly, and triglycerides were not influenced significantly. Garlic preparations were highly tolerable in all trials and were associated with minimal side effects. They might be considered as an alternative option with a higher safety profile than conventional cholesterol-lowering medications in patients with slightly elevated cholesterol.

Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases by Garlic-Derived Sulfur Compounds

“…An 8% reduction in TC is of clinical relevance and is associated with a 38% reduction in risk of coronary events at 50 y of age. HDL-C improved only slightly, and TG was not influenced significantly (17).…”

Effect of Allium Sativum Essential Oil on the Glycemic Control and Hyperlipidemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subjects

“…[20,24] Inhibition of lipoprotein lipase is another suggested mechanism by which ASEO exerts its antihyperlipidemic effect, [20,[24][25][26] but the mechanisms are not more than an speculation until further studies are conducted at the molecular level. A recent study 27 reported mean cholesterol levels were reduced from baseline 265 ± 16.7 mg/dL to 232.7 ± 11.2 mg/dL 3 rd month (90th day) by 3 gram raw garlic dose orally daily (P < 0.001). Finding of above study are in parallel to present study (table 1).…”

“…[4,5] Previous reviews showed that the AS decreases blood lipids hence it may be prescribed as anti hyperlipidemic agent. [5][6][7] AS protects against CVD by lowering blood triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLc) and boosting effect on the high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDLc). An increase in good cholesterol (HDLc) and a reduction in bad cholesterol (LDLc) prevent atheroma formation thus protecting against the coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral arterial diseases (PAD).…”

The effect of thriphala, a herbal Ayurveda formulation, on serum lipids, in patients on a maintenance dose of atorvastatin for hyperlipidaemia: a randomized controlled trial

“…Several promising Ayurveda herbs and herbal preparations such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and garlic have produced significant reductions in total serum cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoproteins (LDL), with or without an increase of high density lipoproteins (HDL), in both human and experimental animal studies [9][10][11][12] In a study in experimentally induced atherosclerosis in rabbits, formulations of three herbal products reduced not only blood cholesterol and other lipids, but also cholesterol content in the liver and plaques in the aorta and coronary arteries [13]. The three herbal components tested in this study were the dried fruits of Terminalia chebula (Sinhala: Aralu), Terminalia bellerica (Sinhala: Bulu), and Phyllanthus emblica (Sinhala: Nelli).…”