Garlic Extract For A Healthy Heart
Posted by Gsmyth in HealthHeart disease comes in many forms, and kills many people each year. There have been literally hundreds of studies on how heart disease can be prevented and treated, both medically, surgically, and dietetically.
One of the latest and most exciting developments in the treatment of heart disease, that has been taken up with alacrity by hospital heart centers and cardiac surgery facilities the world over, is Aged Garlic extract.
The results of the study on Aged Garlic were presented by Dr Harunobu Amagase, at the International Conference and Exhibition on Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals. He explained that the extract acts on not only a single risk factor for heart disease, but several.
It lowers bad cholesterol, LDL, and increases the levels of good cholesterol, HDL. A hormone called homocysteine has also been implicated by hospital heart centers in an individual’s risk of developing full blown heart disease, and the aged garlic extract was found to reduce a person’s levels of this also.
Some of the corollary effects of the aged garlic extract that Dr Amagase mentioned included its ability to lower blood pressure, which can contribute to hypertension and the damage of heart tissues.It stimulates circulation, which is good for not only heart tissues, but in all body.
LDL oxidation is reduced by the garlic extract, which heart hospitals in Thailand and cardiac surgery centers the world over have long known is a major factor in the progression of heart disease to acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack.
The rate of coronary calcium formation is inhibited, and oxidative stress in the body can be reversed. The ability of the extract to reduce oxidative stress means that not only cardiac surgery centers, but general medical practitioners.
The study was a double blind one, and even normally cautious researchers are very positive about the study’s results and implications for the treatment of various forms of heart disease.
Dr Amagase said this is tremendous news for people on statin therapy. These works clearly show that Aged Garlic Extract has positive influence on various risk factors of heart disease, as compared to placebo.
They suggest that Aged Garlic Extract may be a useful and beneficial dietary addition for people on statins, or for those who have high cardiovascular risk, have a family history related to heart disease, or have undergone heart surgery, and/or medicinal treatment”.
The study by the hospital heart center was on patients whose average age was 60, and the aged garlic extract was accompanied in the pills by vitamin B12, folic acid, l-arginine, and vitamin B6.
It also seemed that the extract was just as effective in patients of either gender, who had varying blood pressure levels, different levels of blood cholesterol, and either were or were not taking diabetes medications. One of the senior researchers does note that the other vitamins contained in the aged garlic extract pill may have contributed to lowering the patients levels of homocysteine.
Hospital heart centers in Thailand have long been prescribing multivitamins to their heart patients, however the aged garlic is a relatively new therapy.
Resources: Bangkok Hospital - 36 years of advanced medical technology and expertise, complemented with Thai hospitality and compassionate care. Includes the world-renowned Bangkok Heart Hospital and specializing in oncology, neurology and orthopedics. Some of the worlds most advanced minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment procedures are in place.
