there is contradictory evidence relating to the effects on cardiovascular risk:
a small study (1) investigated the effects of garlic extract supplementation on blood lipid profile and oxidant/antioxidant status were investigated in volunteer subjects with high blood cholesterol
a total of 23 volunteer subjects with high blood cholesterol (>5.98 mmol/L) participated in the study
of them, 13 patients were evaluated as a hypertensive group and the others a normotensive group
before (first sample) and after (second sample) garlic extract consumption for 4 months, routine blood analyses including lipid parameters and liver and kidney function tests were performed
serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterols, and triglyceride levels were found to be significantly lowered, but HDL high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased after the extract use
total:HDL cholesterol ratio was also found to be significantly decreased after the extract use
systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were also found to be significantly lowered after extract supplementation in the hypertensive group, but no similar changes were observed in the normotensive group
however a larger study investigating the LDL effects of different garlic preparations found (2)
that none of the forms of garlic used in this study, including raw garlic, when given at an approximate dose of a 4-g clove per day, 6 d/wk for 6 months, had statistically or clinically significant effects on LDL-C or other plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia
in patients with type 2 diabetes (3)
metabolic action of garlic powder tablets was investigated in a 4-week double-blinded placebo-controlled study in 60 type 2 diabetic patients
study revealed that garlic powder tablet usage resulted in better metabolic control due to the lowering of fasting blood glucose, serum fructosamine and serum triglyceride levels - note though that triglyceride levels in diabetic patients will generally improve with improved glycaemic control
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.