Naturopathic Information - MICROgenics Garlic 10,000

Immune Health

• Traditionally garlic is considered a natural antibiotic, garlic use dates back to ancient Egyptian times, where workers used it to increase their body’s resistance to infection, relieve headaches, and maintain healthy blood pressure. Garlic is a well known herb used in many healing traditions to support the immune, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, its use dating back to almost 5000 years ago. For example, Europeans resorted to garlic as a warming expectorant in cold damp climates to disperse and relieve phlegm and decongest the respiratory tract. In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is used to support gastrointestinal health and Ayurvedic medicine practitioners use garlic to support the immune system and as a tonic in debilitated conditions.
• Today, Naturopaths and Herbalists prescribe garlic for its cholesterol balancing effect and immune stimulating qualities. The sulphur containing compounds such as allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide and others confer anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-protazoal effects, which make this an excellent addition to any cold and flu prescription to boost the immune system and assist in fighting infections. In addition, garlic is considered to assist in maintaining a healthy digestive system and microorganism balance throughout the digestive tract.
• Published studies demonstrate garlic’s immune-supporting properties and numerous other health benefits. Garlic is reported to stimulate certain immune system-specific responses, including macrophage activity, natural killer and killer cells, and LAK cells, and to increase the production of IL-2, TNF, and interferon-gamma. Clinical studies show that as little as 1.8 g of aged garlic extract is effective in beneficially effecting human immune responses.

Cardiovascular Health

• The mechanism of action behind garlic supporting healthy cholesterol levels is thought to be via it ability to inhibit cholesterol synthesis by deactivating HMG- CoA reductase. HMG-CoA reductase is the controlling enzyme of the metabolic pathway that produces cholesterol. This enzyme is the target of the widely available cholesterol lowering drugs known collectively as the statins.
• Garlic may help to maintain a healthy circulatory system. One proposed mechanism behind garlic’s circulatory support is through its ability to decrease serum fibrinogen, a protein involved in blood clotting coupled with its ability to increase fibrinolytic activity (dissolution of fibrinogen). Another mechanism whereby garlic may support circulation is its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, which may reduce plaque buildup in the blood vessel walls assisting blood flow.
• The compounds allicin and oligosulfides found in garlic have demonstrated the ability to support healthy platelet function.
• Dietary patterns in the Mediterranean, characterised by high consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially garlic, are believed to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Garlic and many of its preparations have been widely recognised as effective for supporting cardiovascular health and reducing risk factors for cardiovascular illness

Antioxidant

• Garlic also possesses antioxidant properties acting as a free radical scavenger which is useful during times of additional mental, emotional and physical stress.