| Garlic, Linseed and Other Superfoods | ||||||||
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Garlic
Garlic is well known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, which is due to its active component - allicin.
Many studies have shown that garlic helps to ward off the common cold. Other studies have suggested garlic protects against Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
Several studies have shown that garlic, especially fresh and slightly crushed (but also cooked or in supplement form) has a powerful protective effect on the heart. Studies have shown that garlic supplements have positive short-term effects on reducing blood triglyceride levels (high triglyceride levels are a risk factor for heart disease and stroke).
Many other studies have shown that garlic is useful in reducing total blood cholesterol, together with LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels in people who have raised cholesterol levels.
Garlic has a proven blood thinning effect, which means it protects against dangerous blood clots forming in the blood vessels, which ultimately can lead to stroke (and death). People on blood thinning medications need to be careful about taking garlic.
Some recent research has determined that people who eat fresh garlic may be protected against hardening of the arteries, through deposits of cholesterol, in a condition called atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attack and stroke if not treated. This is a positive step, as it shows that diet plays a very significant role in ensuring good heart health.
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Scientists are well aware that people who eat a Mediterrean-type diet (higher in unsaturated fats, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, legumes and garlic) appear to have less incidence of heart disease than people who do not have a diet such as this.
Further research on garlic is currently being conducted to determine its effect on various heart disease risk factors (high triglycerides, high blood pressure and high cholesterol), over the longer term. Once these studies are published, the information will be reviewed and released here too.
Garlic is known to have proven anti-fungal properties - several studies have shown that direct application of freshly cut garlic to the skin of people with an active fungal infection find relief from the infection. The fungal infections also include any type of yeast infections.
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- What are superfoods?
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references
- Garlic: Effects on Cardiovascular Risks and Disease, Protective Effects Against Cancer, and Clinical Adverse Effects. Summary, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 20. AHRQ Publication No. 01-E022, October 2000. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/garlicsum.htm
- Graci S, Diamond H, Martin JM, The Power of Superfoods, Prentice Hall Canada, 1999
- Pratt SG, Matthews, K. SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, Harper-Collins Publishers USA, 2004
More information
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