what dose garlic do in our body?

Answer 1

Recent studies say garlic can help protect against flu, stomach ulcers and coronary disease ? but not everyone is convinced, says Christine Doyle.

Western culture has taken to the smell and taste of garlic as never before, with few people finding its flavour strange or foreign. But apart from spicing up bland meals, there is increasing interest in how Allium sativum, which belongs to the same family of plants as onions, chives and shallots, might protect us against a range of diseases, particularly those that strike during winter.

There is a long-held belief that the broken-down constituents of garlic can protect against heart disease by thinning the blood and helping to lower cholesterol. This could, according to researchers, reduce the risk of clotting and raised blood pressure during cold spells.

The blood thickens when exposed to cold weather, because the tiny blood vessels near the extremities contract to prevent loss of too much body heat. This leads to a more sluggish circulation and, for those at risk, an increased chance of clotting.

Sticky blood in the 48 hours after a cold spell is a little-known cause of heart attacks, according to a European survey. So, in theory, a regular intake of garlic — in the form of a supplement or eating it raw in salads or dressings — could be, along with a flu jab, a major preventive strategy.
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But it is important to eat the garlic swiftly — its potency fades the more it is exposed to light, so young bulbs have greater health benefits. Garlic pills or powders are useful for those concerned about odour.

Garlic has long been used to prevent a variety of infections. The Romans are said to have marched into Britain on a diet of garlic to combat bronchitis-inducing mists and fogs.

Today, hundreds of new studies are investigating its power to combat bacterial, fungal and, possibly even viral infections. Research also suggests that supplements of essential oil from fresh garlic can prevent the development of more serious secondary infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia after a cold or flu.

British research in December also found the ingredient allicin effective — even effective against the highly resistant hospital superbug MRSA.

In effect, this ancient remedy, with its apparently infinite range of benefits, is a DIY mini-medicine chest. Some studies suggest that garlic also helps to protect against helicobacter, the leading cause of stomach ulcers; others that its anti-oxidant effects increase production of anti-ageing chemicals.

There are even garlic pills for cats and dogs, and the French sometimes feed them to their horses to protect them from disabling clots that can form around the joints, while trainers in Ireland often give their racehorses garlic and honey.

With so many claims, studies and pills, some people might wonder why we bother with doctors when we can pop garlic pills or chew raw cloves whenever we feel under the weather. So what are we to believe?

Garlic's benefits are attributed to the production of the chemical allicin, produced when garlic is crushed or chewed. This substance breaks down into sulphur and other beneficial compounds.

Sulphur-based drugs, followed by antibiotics, have largely superseded the more homely garlic as a way of treating some ailments.

Although the British Heart Foundation was initially excited by the possible relationship between garlic and relatively low rates of coronary disease, it is now more cautious, says Belinda Linden, the foundation's cardiac nurse.

"Many of the studies on the value of garlic in reducing total cholesterol levels are not conclusive," she says.

Scientists at Oxford University who have examined many previous experiments into the health benefits of garlic concluded that there were shortcomings in the way some of the tests had been conducted.

Many trials involved only small numbers of patients and, with different doses and types of garlic formulation, it was difficult to draw satisfactory conclusions.

"I would say that doctors in heart departments remain open-minded," says Linden. Many doctors continue to advise heart patients to take garlic tablets as a precaution.

But in other cases, cardiologists are more sceptical. "We do know that oily fish and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables have convincing benefits," says Linden.

When it comes to fighting infections, the force of evidence, despite strong anecdotal reports, has yet to convince mainstream scientists of garlic's benefits. That could change, however, with some early signs that garlic might play a part in the battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Two patients at the Royal London Hospital, who were seriously ill with Vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), are believed to have recovered after being given 10 capsules daily of Allimax, a stable form of allicin.

Peter Josling, an independent producer of garlic chemicals, says: "It's early days, but we do know that allicin is a very small molecule and able to penetrate into the cell wall. In effect, it consumes the protein and enzymes without which the bacteria cannot reproduce."

Further studies with allicin — using nurses as volunteers — are continuing at the University of East London.

"The fact is that we still have much to learn about how garlic might combat infection," said Josling.

- Telegraph

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Studies by competent multi-degreed scientists have shown beyond any reasonable doubt that consuming garlic generally has the following physical effects:

* Garlic lowers blood pressure a little.
* Garlic lowers LDL Cholesterol a little.
* Garlic helps reduce atherosclerotic buildup (plaque) within the arterial system. One recent study shows this effect to be greater in women than men.
* Garlic lowers or helps to regulate blood sugar.
* Garlic helps to prevent blood clots from forming, thus reducing the possibility of strokes and thromboses (It may not be good for hemophiliacs).
* Garlic helps to prevent cancer, especially of the digestive system, prevents certain tumors from growing larger and reduces the size of certain tumors.
* Garlic helps to remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body.
* Raw Garlic is a potent natural antibiotic and, while far less strong than modern antibiotics, can still kill some strains of bacteria that have become immune or resistant to modern antibiotics.
* Garlic has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
* Garlic dramatically reduces yeast infections due to Candida species.
* Garlic has anti-oxidant properties and is a source of selenium.
* Garlic probably has other benefits as well.

Answer 2

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RE:
what dose garlic do in our body?

Answer 3

Garlic capsules have been reported by some to be excellent mosquito deterrent if taken regularly. It is believed to stimulate the immune system. And it just tastes good on food.

Answer 4

garlic is very healthy to eat, it is good for yer blood and makes yer hair and nails strong, once a week i eat garlic raw with bread and cheese:) id like to do it more often but it sure does make you smell:)

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Keeps other people away.