title: Dynamics of Interrelationships between the Content of Lipoprotein Particles, Fibrinogen, and Leukocyte Count in the Plasma from Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Treated with Kwai Effects of garlic on dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Garlic powder and plasma lipids and lipoproteins: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. A pilot study of garlic consumption shows no significant effect on markers of oxidation or sub-fraction composition of low-density lipoprotein including lipoprotein(a) after allowance for non-compliance and the placebo effect. A randomized factorial study of the effects of long-term garlic and micronutrient supplementation and of 2-wk antibiotic treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection on serum cholesterol and lipoproteins. Garlic supplementation and lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility Effect of garlic powder on C-reactive protein and plasma lipids in overweight and smoking subjects. Gender may affect the action of garlic oil on plasma cholesterol and glucose levels of normal subjects. Effect of garlic and fish-oil supplementation on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. Effect of garlic on blood lipids in patients with coronary heart disease. A double-blind crossover study in moderately hypercholesterolemic men that compared the effect of aged garlic extract and placebo administration on blood lipids. Effect of garlic on lipid profile and psychopathologic parameters in people with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Inhibiting progression of coronary calcification using Aged Garlic Extract in patients receiving statin therapy: a preliminary study. Effects of anethum graveolens and garlic on lipid profile in hyperlipidemic patients Aged garlic extract may be safe for patients on warfarin therapy. The efficacy of cholesterol-lowering action and side effects of garlic enteric coated tablets in man. Garlic extract therapy in children with hypercholesterolemia. The effect of a garlic preparation on plasma lipid levels in moderately hypercholesterolemic adults. Can garlic reduce levels of serum lipids? A controlled clinical study. No effect of garlic extract supplement on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects. On the effect of garlic on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in mild hypercholesterolaemia. The effect of garlic tablet on plasma lipids and platelet aggregation in nulliparous pregnants at high risk of preeclampsia. Effect of raw garlic vs commercial garlic supplements on plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized clinical trial. Effects of garlic coated tablets in peripheral arterial occlusive disease Therapy with garlic: results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Garlic powder, effect on plasma lipids, postprandial lipemia, low-density lipoprotein particle size, high-density lipoprotein subclass distribution and lipoprotein(a). Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) powder tablets on serum lipids, blood pressure and arterial stiffness in normo-lipidaemic volunteers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Does garlic alter the lipid pattern in normal volunteers? Lack of efficacy of dried garlic in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia. Aged garlic extract improves endothelial function in men with coronary artery disease. Hypocholesterolemic Effect of an Enteric-Coated Garlic Supplement Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on blood lipids, blood sugar, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic activity in patients with coronary artery disease. Effect of garlic on thrombocyte aggregation, microcirculation, and other risk factors. Hypertension and hyperlipidaemia: garlic helps in mild cases. A randomized trial of the effects of garlic oil upon coronary heart disease risk factors in trained male runners The effect of a garlic preparation on the composition of plasma lipoproteins and erythrocyte membranes in geriatric subjects.
abstract: The hypolipidemic effect of Kwai , a preparation based on garlic powder ( Allium sativum ) , depended on the initial content of cholesterol and /or triglycerides . This effect was most pronounced in patients with coronary heart disease with initial cholesterol > 7.0 mmol/liter and triglyceride > 1.92 mmol/liter . After treatment with Kwai the correlation between triglyceride content and leukocyte count remained unchanged , the correlation between cholesterol content and leukocyte count disappeared , fibrinogen concentration decreased by 11 % , and no correlation was found between fibrinogen content and leukocyte count BACKGROUND Garlic ( Allium Sativum ) has been used in herbal medicine for centuries for various ailments . In recent years garlic has been the focus of serious medical and clinical attention because of beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors like reduction of serum lipids , blood pressure and plasma viscosity . There is also wide spread belief among general public that garlic has beneficial effects on cardiovascular system . The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effects of garlic on one of the major cardiovascular risk factors i.e. dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus . METHOD This 12 week r and omized , single-blind , placebo controlled study was conducted on Type 2 diabetic patients with newly diagnosed dyslipidemia ( n=70 ) . Patients were selected from Diabetic OPD of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre , Karachi and were divided into two groups each comprising of 35 patients , they were given tablet garlic ( Garlex-Bosch Pharmaceuticals ) 300 mg ( containing 1.3 % allicin ) twice daily and identical placebo tablets respectively . Both groups were given diet and exercise plan . RESULTS After 12 weeks the garlic treated group ( n = 33 ) had a significant reduction in total cholesterol ( -28 mg/dl , - 12.03 % P= < 0.001 ) , LDL - C ( -30 mg/dl , - 17.99 % P=<0.001 ) while the placebo treated group ( n=32 ) had a non significant decrease in total cholesterol ( - 2 mg/dl , - 0.9 % p= ns ) and LDL-C ( -3 mg/dl , -1.6 % p = ns ) . HDL cholesterol was significantly increased in patients treated with garlic ( 3.35 mg/dl , 8.81 % P= < 0.05 ) compared with placebo group ( 0.62 , 1.6 % P= n.s ) but there was no significant difference in triglyceride was observed between two groups . CONCLUSION This study suggests possible small short term benefits of garlic on dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients .  Garlic significantly reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and moderately raised HDL cholesterol as compared to placebo . Controlled Clinical Trials of longer duration are needed to assess the long term benefit of garlic on vascular and circulatory disease processes BACKGROUND Garlic powder tablets have been reported to lower  serum cholesterol levels .  There is widespread belief among the general public that garlic powder tablets aid in controlling cholesterol levels . However , much of the prior data demonstrating the cholesterol-lowering effect of garlic tablets involved studies that were inadequately controlled . OBJECTIVE To determine the lipid-lowering effect of garlic powder tablets in patients with hypercholesterolemia .  METHODS This was a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 12-week , parallel treatment study carried out in 2 outpatient lipid clinics . Entry into the study after 8 weeks of diet stabilization required a mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level on 2 visits of 4.1 mmol/L ( 160 mg/dL ) or lower and a triglyceride level of 4.0 mmol/L ( 350 mg/dL ) or lower . The active treatment arm received tablets containing 300 mg of garlic powder ( Kwai ) 3 times per day , given with meals ( total , 900 mg/d ) . This is equivalent to approximately 2.7 g or approximately 1 clove of fresh garlic per day . The placebo arm received an identical-looking tablet , also given 3 times per day with meals . The main outcome measures included levels of total cholesterol , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after 12 weeks of treatment . RESULTS Twenty-eight patients ( 43 % male ; mean + /- SD age , 58 + /- 14 years ) received garlic powder treatment and 22 ( 68 % male ; mean + /- SD age , 57 + /- 13 years ) received placebo treatment . There were no significant lipid or lipoprotein changes in either the placebo- or garlic-treated groups and no significant difference between changes in the placebo-treated group compared with changes in the garlic-treated patients . CONCLUSION Garlic powder ( 900 mg/d ) treatment for 12 weeks was ineffective in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia Our aim was to define any effects of confirmed garlic supplementation on the resistance of low density lipoprotein ( LDL ) to oxidation , on LDL sub-fraction composition including levels of lipoprotein(a ) , and on levels of circulating antibody to oxidised LDL , variables of interest in relation to cardiovascular risk . Additional tests were performed on sample s collected from a double blind , r and omised 6-month parallel trial in which 900 mg Kwai garlic or placebo was taken by moderately hypercholesterolaemic volunteers . Final data was analysed for 20 garlic and 11 placebo subjects with compliance of at least 75 % as determined by repeat tablet counting . EDTA plasma stabilised by sucrose was stored at -70 degrees C for up to 12 months . Lipids and apolipoproteins were determined by st and ard methods , lipoprotein(a ) by an ELISA method and LDL fraction composition by non-gradient gel electrophoresis . Oxidative resistance of LDL purified after isolation by density gradient centrifugation was assessed from oxidative resistance to copper ions determined spectrophotometrically , antibodies to oxidised LDL were determined by a microtitre plate assay and vitamin E content of plasma by HPLC . Overall lipid/lipoprotein profiles including lipoprotein(a ) were unchanged as with the parent group . LDL composition showed a trend to less dense material in both placebo and garlic groups , all differences not significant . Lag time as a marker of oxidative resistance also increased in both groups , without change in vitamin E content , all differences not significant and consistent with a placebo effect . Levels of antibodies to oxidised LDL were unchanged . The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that dietary garlic supplementation decreases the susceptibility of isolated LDL to oxidation and that patterns of LDL tractions in plasma might be involved . Levels of lipoprotein(a ) in plasma were also not changed . Other mechanisms of cardiovascular benefit are however not excluded BACKGROUND Little is known about the long-term effects of garlic or micronutrient supplementation on total , HDL , and LDL cholesterol in disease-free persons . OBJECTIVE We aim ed to assess the effects of long-term supplementation with garlic and micronutrients and of short-term amoxicillin and omeprazole treatment on serum total , HDL , and LDL cholesterol in a rural Chinese population . DESIGN We conducted a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 2 x 2 x 2 and 2 x 2 factorial study of precancerous gastric lesions in 3411 subjects in Linqu County , Sh and ong Province , China . Thirty-four subjects were r and omly selected from each of 12 treatment strata . Sera were analyzed at 3.3 and 7.3 y to measure effects on total , HDL , and LDL cholesterol after 2-wk twice-daily treatment with 1 g amoxicillin and 20 mg omeprazole and supplementation throughout the study with 1 ) 2 capsules twice daily , each containing 200 mg aged garlic extract and 1 mg steam-distilled garlic oil , or 2 ) twice-daily micronutrient capsules containing 250 mg vitamin C , 100 IU vitamin E , and 37.5 mg selenium . RESULTS Regressions adjusted for covariates indicated increases of 0.22 mmol total cholesterol/L ( P = 0.01 ) and 0.19 mmol LDL/L ( P = 0.02 ) after 7.3 y of micronutrient supplementation , but no effect of garlic supplementation or short-term amoxicillin and omeprazole treatment . CONCLUSIONS In this rural Chinese population with low meat intake and moderate cholesterol concentrations , long-term garlic supplementation had no effect on lipid profiles , whereas micronutrient supplementation was associated with small but significant increases in total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations at 7.3 Interventions which make serum lipoproteins less susceptible to oxidation may be antiatherogenic . The antioxidant properties of garlic which have been demonstratedin vitro led us to investigate the effects of garlic supplements on lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility in humans . Ten healthy volunteers were given 600 mg/d of garlic powder ( 6 tablets of Kwai ® ) for two weeks in a placebo-controlled , r and omized , double-blind crossover trial . We found that although serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were not lowered in this short time period , theex vivo susceptibility of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins to oxidation was significantly decreased ( −34 % ) . Because garlic has been reported to beneficially affect serum lipid levels , platelet function , fibrinolysis and blood pressure , this additional effect of retarding lipoprotein oxidation may contribute to the potential antiatherosclerotic effect of garlic BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies suggest that garlic may have beneficial effects on risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . However , these findings are not unambiguously supported by r and omized placebo-controlled clinical trials . OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the effects of a chemically well-characterized garlic preparation on biomarkers for inflammation , endothelial function , and lipid metabolism in subjects with risk factors for CVD . DESIGN This was a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled trial in 90 overweight [ body mass index ( in kg/m2 ) > 24.5 ] subjects aged 40 - 75 y who smoked > 10 cigarettes/d . The subjects were r and omly assigned to 3 parallel treatment groups : garlic powder ( 2.1 g/d ) , atorvastatin ( 40 mg/d ) , or placebo . Duplicate measurements were performed at baseline and after 1 and 3 mo of treatment . Treatments were compared with analysis of covariance with baseline as the covariate , and differences between the treatments were reported as mean percentage difference and corresponding 97.5 % CI . RESULTS None of the variables showed significant differences between the garlic-treated and the placebo groups . In contrast , compared with the placebo group , atorvastatin treatment result ed in significantly lower plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein ( 20.2 % ; 1.7 % , 35.3 % ) , total cholesterol ( 37.2 % ; 33.1 % , 41.1 % ) , LDL cholesterol ( 52.7 % ; 47.9 % , 57.1 % ) , triacylglycerols ( 31.9 % ; 20.8 % , 41.5 % ) , and tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-alpha ; 41.9 % ; 19.0 % , 58.3 % ) and increased the ratio of ex vivo whole blood lipopolysaccharide-stimulated to nonstimulated TNF-alpha concentrations ( 109.7 % ; 37.9 % , 218.9 % ) . CONCLUSION We conclude that a chemically well-characterized garlic preparation has no significant effect on inflammatory biomarkers , endothelial function , or lipid profile in normolipidemic subjects with risk factors for CVD Early trials of garlic preparations on blood lipids mainly supported a lipid-lowering effect , whereas later well- design ed garlic tablet trials were mainly entirely null . However , enteric simulation tests suggest that this discordance may result from ineffective delivery of bioactive agents from the br and s of garlic powder ( GP ) and cyclodextrin-bound garlic oil ( GO ) tablets tested in some recent negative trials . In contrast , enteric simulation tests show that the preformed bioactive agents present in " traditional " gelatin capsules of GO are efficiently released , although such capsules have rarely been investigated in lipid-lowering trials . It was hypothesized that gelatin capsules of GO given to normal subjects would improve specified coronary heart disease risk factors . Effects of a GP preparation were also investigated . Subjects ( n = 51 ; men and women , mean age 27 y ) were r and omly assigned to receive either 8.2 mg/d of GO ( allyl sulfides ) or placebo for 11 wk . Another 27 subjects received garlic powder ( GP ) of similar biopotential ( 7.8 mg allicin/d ) . Outcome measures were 95 % confidence intervals ( CI ) between GO and placebo groups for differences between baseline and subsequent sample times . Men and women combined showed no significant differences save for an improved total antioxidant capacity at 6 wk ( P = 0.01 ) . Hence , no benefit from GO after 11 wk is one plausible conclusion . However , there were significant differences in effect of GO between men and women for HDL cholesterol ( HDL-C ) ( P = 0.004 ) and total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ( P = 0.003 ) . Women showed favorable effects in terms of CHD risk factors ( i.e. , increases in HDL-C and reductions in TC/HDL-C ) , whereas men had small adverse effects . There was a significant difference in the GO effect for glucose ( P = 0.006 ) , with a reduction seen for men and an increase for women . The gender effects were unexpected and such analyses were not planned in advance . Confirmation of these findings with larger numbers of subjects would have importance for the use of garlic against CHD and for the design of future garlic studies This study examined the effects of garlic and fish-oil supplementation ( alone and in combination ) on fasting serum lipids and lipoproteins in hypercholesterolemic subjects . After an initial run-in phase , 50 male subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia were r and omly assigned for 12 wk to one of four groups : 1 ) 900 mg garlic placebo/d + 12 g oil placebo/d ; 2 ) 900 mg garlic/d + 12 g oil placebo/d ; 3 ) 900 mg garlic placebo/d + 12 g fish oil/d , providing 3.6 g n-3 fatty acids/d ; and 4 ) 900 mg garlic/d + 12 g fish oil/d . In the placebo group , mean serum total cholesterol , low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , and triacylglycerols were not significantly changed in relation to baseline . Mean group total cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower with garlic+fish oil ( -12.2 % ) and with garlic ( -11.5 % ) after 12 wk but not with fish oil alone .  Mean LDL-C concentrations were reduced with garlic+fish oil ( -9.5 % ) and with garlic ( -14.2 % ) but were raised with fish oil ( + 8.5 % ) . Mean triacylglycerol concentrations were reduced with garlic+fish oil ( -34.3 % ) and fish oil alone ( -37.3 % ) . The garlic groups ( with and without fish oil ) had significantly lower ratios of total cholesterol to high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) and LDL-C to HDL-C. In summary , garlic supplementation significantly decreased both total cholesterol and LDL-C whereas fish-oil supplementation significantly decreased triacylglycerol concentrations and increased LDL-C concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men . The combination of garlic and fish oil reversed the moderate fish-oil-induced rise in LDL-C. Coadministration of garlic with fish oil was well-tolerated and had a beneficial effect on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations by providing a combined lowering of total cholesterol , LDL-C , and triacylglycerol concentrations as well as the ratios of total cholesterol to HDL-C and LDL-C to The study was conducted on two groups of individuals . Group A consisted of 20 healthy volunteers who were fed garlic for 6 months and then followed for another 2 months without garlic . Garlic administration significantly lowered the serum cholesterol and triglycerides while raising the high-density lipoproteins .  Group B consisted of 62 patients with coronary heart disease with elevated serum cholesterol . They were r and omly divided into two subgroups : B1 was fed garlic for 10 months while B2 served as a control . Garlic decreased the serum cholesterol ( p less than 0.05 ) , triglycerides ( p less than 0.05 ) and low density lipoprotein ( p less than 0.05 ) while increasing the high-density fraction ( p less than 0.001 ) . The change reached statistically significant levels at the end of 8 months and persisted for the next 2 months of follow-up . Thus , the essential oil of garlic has shown a distinct hypolipidemic action in both healthy individuals and patients of coronary heart disease A double-blind crossover study comparing the effect of aged garlic extract with a placebo on blood lipids was performed in a group of 41 moderately hypercholesterolemic men [ cholesterol concentrations 5.7 - 7.5 mmol/L ( 220 - 290 mg/dL ) ] . After a 4-wk baseline period , during which the subjects were advised to adhere to a National Cholesterol Education Program Step I diet , they were started on 7.2 g aged garlic extract per day or an equivalent amount of placebo as a dietary supplement for a period of 6 mo , then switched to the other supplement for an additional 4 mo . Blood lipids , blood counts , thyroid and liver function measures , body weight , and blood pressure were followed over the entire study period . The major findings were a maximal reduction in total serum cholesterol of 6.1 % or 7.0 % in comparison with the average concentration during the placebo administration or baseline evaluation period , respectively . Low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol was also decreased by aged garlic extract , 4 % when compared with average baseline values and 4.6 % in comparison with placebo period concentrations . In addition , there was a 5.5 % decrease in systolic blood pressure and a modest reduction of diastolic blood pressure in response to aged garlic extract . We conclude that dietary supplementation with aged garlic extract has beneficial effects on the lipid profile and blood pressure  of moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects BACKGROUND The beneficial effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutyaryl co-enzyme A reductase inhibitors on cardiovascular risk reduction has been clearly established . Concerns have been raised that lowering blood cholesterol by other hypolipidemic drugs or by a non-pharmacologic approach may have deleterious effects on psychopathologic parameters . Garlic is one of the most commonly used herbal remedies and is considered to have hypocholesterolemic as well as other cardioprotective properties . Its effect on psychopathologic parameters has never been reported . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of garlic on lipid parameters and depression , impulsivity , hostility and temperament in patients with primary type 2 hyperlipidemia . METHODS In a 16 week prospect i ve double-blind placebo-controlled study , 33 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and no evidence of cardiovascular disease were r and omly assigned to receive either garlic or placebo . Garlic in the form of alliin 22.4 mg/day was given to 13 patients , and placebo to 20 . Both groups received individual dietary counseling . The changes in lipid profile and the various psychopathologic parameters were determined at the beginning and end of the trial . The differences in lipid parameters were evaluated by Student 's t-test . The psychological data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) with repeated measures and Neuman-Keuls test . RESULTS No significant changes were observed in levels of total cholesterol , low density lipoprotein-cholesterol , high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides , or in the psychopathologic parameters evaluated . CONCLUSION Short-term garlic therapy in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia does not affect either lipid levels or various psychopathologic parameters BACKGROUND Aged Garlic Extract ( AGE ) reduces multiple cardiovascular risk factors , including blood pressure , cholesterol , platelet aggregation and adhesion , while stimulating nitric oxide generation in endothelial cells . However , no study has evaluated the ability of AGE to inhibit vascular calcification , a marker of plaque formation in human coronary arteries . OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of Aged Garlic Extract ( AGE ) on changing the rate of atherosclerosis progression as compared to placebo . DESIGN A placebo-controlled , double-blind , r and omized pilot study to determine whether the atherosclerotic plaque burden detected by electron beam tomography ( EBT ) will change at a different rate under the influence of AGE as compared to placebo .  Twenty-three patients were enrolled , and 19 patients completed the study protocol . AGE 4 ml or the equivalent amount of placebo was given to subjects . Duration of the study was 1 year . S-allylcysteine ( SAC ) , one of the active compound of AGE , was measured in the blood as a compliance marker . RESULTS The mean change of the calcium score ( volumetric method ) for the AGE group ( n = 9 ) was 7.5 + /- 9.4 % over 1 year . The placebo group ( n = 10 ) demonstrated an average increase in calcium scores of 22.2 + /- 18.5 % , significantly greater than the treated cohort ( P = 0.046 ) . There were no significant differences in individual cholesterol parameters or C reactive protein between the groups . In patients r and omized to AGE , there was a nonsignificant trend for improving cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio ( P = 0.07 ) and homocysteine level ( P = 0.08 ) . CONCLUSIONS This small pilot study indicates the potential ability of AGE to inhibit the rate of progression of coronary calcification , as compared to placebo over 1 year . Should these findings be extended and confirmed in larger studies , garlic may prove useful for patients who are at high risk of future cardiovascular events Background hyperlipidemia as a major risk factor of atherosclerosis is treated with different drugs . Concerning length of therapy and vast majority of side effects , herbal medication may be suitable substitute for these drugs . Methods In this single-blind , placebo controlled study , lipid profiles of 150 hyperlipidemic patients in cardiology outpatient department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were checked at same conditions . They were divided into three equal groups r and omly ( each composing of 50 patients ) . They were given enteric-coated garlic powder tablet ( equal to 400 mg garlic , 1 mg allicin ) twice daily , anethum tablet ( 650 mg ) twice daily , and placebo tablet . All patients were put on NCEP type Π diet and Six weeks later , lipid profiles were checked . Results In garlic group : total cholesterol ( decreased by 26.82 mg/dl , 12.1 % reduction , and P-value : .000 ) , and LDL-cholesterol ( decreased by 22.18 mg/dl , 17.3 % reduction , and P-value : .000 ) dropped . HDL-cholesterol ( increased by 10.02 mg/dl , 15.7 % increase , and P-value : .000 ) increased . Although triglyceride dropped by 13.72 mg/dl ( 6.3 % ) but this was not significant statistically ( P-value : .222 ) . In anethum group : surprisingly , triglyceride increased by 14.74 mg/dl ( 6.0 % ) . Anethum could reduce total cholesterol by 0.4 % and LDL-cholesterol by 6.3 % but these were not significant statistically ( P-value : .828 , and .210 , respectively ) . Conclusion Anethum has no significant effect on lipid profile , but garlic tablet has significant favorable effect on cholesterol , LDL-cholesterol , and HDL-cholesterol . Garlic may play an important role in therapy of hypercholesterolemia Garlic has been known to have antiplatelet properties . Because of the lack of major clinical data regarding the safety of concomitant use of garlic supplements and anticoagulants , we decided to evaluate the safety of using garlic extract along with oral anticoagulation therapy . During this project we tested aged garlic extract ( AGE ) , a commercial garlic preparation , with warfarin ( Coumadin ) .  Sixty-six ( 66 ) patients were screened for a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled pilot study . Fifty-two ( 52 ) patients were r and omized for the project . Forty-eight patients ( 30 men and 18 women , with a mean age of 56+/-10 years ) completed the study . Eighteen patients ( 14 before r and omization , 4 after r and omization ) were dropped from the study . The study medication ( AGE or placebo ) was administered at a dose of 5 mL twice a day for 12 wk . Potential bleeding and thromboembolic episodes were monitored . There was no evidence of increased hemorrhage in either the placebo or the AGE group . Adverse events included headache , fatigue , colds , and dizziness . However , no significant difference was found in the incidence of these minor adverse events between the groups . Thus , the adverse events are unlikely to be attributable to AGE . The results suggest that AGE is relatively safe and poses no serious hemorrhagic risk for closely monitored patients on warfarin oral anticoagulation therapy . Although the risk-benefit ratio of AGE use needs to be considered carefully when warfarin therapy is necessary , its positive effects may be beneficial to people with a high-risk background or who are taking cardiovascular medications The present study aim ed at investigating the cholesterol-lowering and side effects of garlic enteric coated tablets in comparison with placebo tablets . The study is a r and omized double-blinded crossover design involving 116 volunteers . However , 16 of them did not complete the study . The remaining 100 volunteers were divided into two groups : 45 were in the trial group and the remaining 55 in the control group . The volunteers in the trial group were asked to take garlic tablets in the first three months , placebo in the second three months and discontinue all tablets in the last three months , while the volunteers in the control group started with three months of placebo followed by three months of garlic tablets and ended up with three months of tablets discontinuity . The results showed that there were no significant differences in the total serum cholesterol levels between the two groups at the end of three months or six months of the study . Side effects included headache , itching and complaints of garlic smell . No serious side effects relating to liver , kidney functions or hematologic side effects were OBJECTIVE To determine whether garlic extract therapy is efficacious and safe in children with hypercholesterolemia . DESIGN R and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial . SETTING Specialized pediatric lipid disorders ambulatory clinic . PARTICIPANTS Thirty pediatric patients , aged 8 to 18 years , who had familial hyperlipidemia and a minimum fasting total cholesterol level greater than 4.8 mmol/L ( > 185 mg/dL ) . INTERVENTION An 8-week course of a commercially available garlic extract ( Kwai [ Lichtwer Pharma , Berlin , Germany ] , 300 mg , 3 times a day ) or an identical placebo . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Absolute and relative changes in fasting lipid profile parameters . RESULTS The groups were equivalent at baseline and compliance was similar in the 2 groups ( P = .45 ) . There was no significant relative attributable effect of garlic extract on fasting total cholesterol ( + 0.6 % [ 95 % confidence interval , -5.8 % to + 6.9%1 ) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( -0.5 % [ 95 % confidence interval , -8.7 % to + 7.6 % ] ) . The lower limits of the confidence intervals did not include -10 % , the minimum relative attributable effect believed to be clinical ly important . Likewise , no significant effect was seen on the levels of high-density lipoprotein , triglycerides , apolipoprotein B-100 , lipoprotein ( a ) , fibrinogen , homocysteine , or blood pressure . There was a small effect on apolipoprotein A-I ( + 10.0 % [ 95 % confidence interval , + 1.2 % to + 16.5 % ] P=.03 ) . There were no differences in adverse effects between groups . CONCLUSION Garlic extract therapy has no significant effect on cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric patients with familial hyperlipidemia Lipid management is well established as an effective preventive and management tool for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . Health cl aims regarding the cholesterol lowering benefits of garlic are widespread . However , the clinical trial data are inconsistent . The effect of two doses of a commercial garlic preparation on plasma lipids were evaluated , compared to a placebo , in moderately hypercholesterolemic adults ( baseline low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)=157 . 4+/-18.7 , mean+/-S.D. ) . Fifty-one adults , aged 51.8+/-8.3 years participated in a double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel treatment trial conducted in an outpatient research clinic . They were r and omized to a placebo or a garlic botanical blend providing 500 or 1000 mg dehydrated garlic powder/day ( three groups , 16 - 18 subjects per group ) . Plasma lipids were assessed every 2 weeks for 12 weeks . The study was design ed with sufficient power to detect a 10 % relative decline in LDL-C. The absolute mean changes in LDL-C over 12 weeks were 0.0+/-4.3 , + 1.4+/-4.8 , and -10.1+/-6.8 mg/dl for the placebo , half-dose and full-dose , respectively . In the full-dose group , the LDL-C decrease of 6.1 % was not significantly different from the other groups ( P=0.5 ) . No significant differences were observed for total- or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , or triacylglycerol levels . In conclusion , the garlic powder preparation used in this study among moderately hypercholesterolemic adults did not significantly effect plasma lipids levels . There was no indication of a grade d affect by garlic dose over the range of 0 , 500 and 1000 mg/day . A small ( < 10 % ) effect on LDL-C levels or a threshold effect requiring larger doses are not eliminated by this study PURPOSE To assess the effects of st and ardized garlic powder tablets on serum lipids and lipoproteins , glucose , and blood pressure . SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-two healthy adults ( 19 men , 23 women ) , mean age of 52 + /- 12 years , with a serum total cholesterol ( TC ) level of greater than or equal to 220 mg/dL received , in a r and omized , double-blind fashion , either 300 mg three times a day of st and ardized garlic powder in tablet form or placebo . Diets and physical activity were unchanged . This study was conducted in an outpatient , clinical research unit . RESULTS The baseline serum TC level of 262 + /- 34 mg/dL was reduced to 247 + /- 40 mg/dL ( p < 0.01 ) after 12 weeks of st and ard garlic treatment . Corresponding values for placebo were 276 + /- 34 mg/dL before and 274 + /- 29 mg/dL after placebo treatment . Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) was reduced by 11 % by garlic treatment and 3 % by placebo ( p < 0.05 ) . There were no significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , triglycerides , serum glucose , blood pressure , and other monitored parameters . CONCLUSIONS Treatment with st and ardized garlic 900 mg/d produced a significantly greater reduction in serum TC and LDL-C than placebo . The garlic formulation was well tolerated without any odor problems OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the effects of an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet st and ardized for allicin-releasing potential on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects . SUBJECTS AND METHOD The authors performed a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial in 136 hypercholesterolemic subjects ( cholesterol concentrations > or = 5.2 mmol/L ; mean age + /- SD : 47.0 + /- 6.6 yr ) . All subjects were given dietary advice to lower fat intake within 4 weeks and were advised to eat normally during the study period . The subjects were r and omly assigned to receive an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet once daily ( st and ardized to 1.12 % allicin or 5.6 mg/tablet ) , or placebo after the evening meal for 12 weeks .  Seventy subjects ( 32.9 % male ; mean age + /- SD and BMI of 47.0 + /- 6.6 yr and 24.6 + /- 3.3 kg/m2 ) received the garlic extract treatment while 66 subjects ( 37.9 % male , mean age + /- SD and BMI of 47.0 + /- 6.0 yr and 24.3 + /- 3.4 kg/m2 ) received placebo . RESULTS There were no statistically significant changes in serum total cholesterol , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol after the 12-week treatment as analyzed on repeated measures by analysis of variance . In addition , no changes in plasma glucose , liver and renal functions were found . CONCLUSIONS Treatment with an enteric garlic-coated Thai garlic extract and dietary advice did not produce any significant changes in lipid levels in subjects with hypercholesterolemia The ingestion of garlic has been reported to have many cardiovascular effects , including a reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration and the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation . A double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omised crossover study was conducted in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia who were subject to strict dietary supervision and assessment . After a baseline dietary period of 28 days , subjects took Kwai garlic powder tablets 300 mg three times daily or matching placebo for 12 weeks , followed by 28 days washout , followed by a 12 weeks crossover on the alternative preparation . In the analysis hypercholesterolaemia was defined as those subjects in the range 5.5 - 8.05 mmol/l . Three subjects were withdrawn , one allocated to garlic and complaining of garlic body odour , one using placebo having intercurrent health problems , and one with a baseline cholesterol below 5.5 mmol/l , yielding analysable results in 28 subjects . Comparing the period on garlic with that on placebo , there were no significant differences in plasma cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , HDL cholesterol , plasma triglycerides , lipoprotein(a ) concentrations , or blood pressure . Mean LDL cholesterol concentration was 4.64 + /- 0.52 mmol/l on garlic and 4.60 + /- 0.59 mmol/l on placebo . There was no demonstrable effect of garlic on oxidisability of LDL , on the ratio of plasma lathosterol/cholesterol ( a measure of cholesterol synthesis ) , nor on LDL receptor expression in lymphocytes . This study found no demonstrable effect of garlic ingestion on lipids and lipoproteins OBJECTIVE This study was design ed to determine the effect of garlic tablet ( Garlet ) on plasma lipids , and platelet aggregation and the efficacy of this treatment in the prevention of preeclampsia . STUDY DESIGN In a r and omized , single-blind , placebo-controlled study , 100 primigravidas with positive roll-over test were treated with daily doses of 800 mg Garlet/day ( n=50 ) or 800mg/day placebo ( n=50 ) during the third trimester of pregnancy . Serum total cholesterol , LDL- and HDL-cholesterol , triglyceride , and platelet aggregation were measured before and after the treatment . Blood pressure , weight , and edema were also examined during the entire study period . RESULTS In the case group , there was no significant difference in the means of total cholesterol , HDL , LDL , and triglyceride before and after the experiment . Furthermore , the inhibition of platelet aggregation did not show any significant difference before and after the treatment . There were not any significant difference in the means of HDL , LDL , triglyceride , inhibition of platelet aggregation , the means of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the mean arterial blood pressure ( MAP ) , between the two groups , but there was a significant difference in the means of total cholesterol ( P=0.038 ) and hypertension alone ( P=0.043 ) . CONCLUSION The administration of 800mg/day of Garlet during the third trimester of pregnancy was effective in reducing the occurrence of hypertension alone , but it was no effective in preventing of preeclampsia BACKGROUND Garlic is widely promoted as a cholesterol-lowering agent , but efficacy studies have produced conflicting results . Garlic supplements differ in bioavailability of key phytochemicals . We evaluated the effect of raw garlic and 2 commonly used garlic supplements on cholesterol concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia . METHODS In this parallel- design trial , 192 adults with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) concentrations of 130 to 190 mg/dL ( 3.36 - 4.91 mmol/L ) were r and omly assigned to 1 of the following 4 treatment arms : raw garlic , powdered garlic supplement , aged garlic extract supplement , or placebo . Garlic product doses equivalent to an average-sized garlic clove were consumed 6 d/wk for 6 months . The primary study outcome was LDL-C concentration . Fasting plasma lipid concentrations were assessed monthly . Extensive chemical characterization of study material s was conducted throughout the trial . RESULTS Retention was 87 % to 90 % in all 4 treatment arms , and chemical stability of study material s was high throughout the trial . There were no statistically significant effects of the 3 forms of garlic on LDL-C concentrations . The 6-month mean ( SD ) changes in LDL-C concentrations were + 0.4 ( 19.3 ) mg/dL ( + 0.01 [ 0.50 ] mmol/L ) , + 3.2 ( 17.2 ) mg/dL ( + 0.08 [ 0.44 ] mmol/L ) , + 0.2 ( 17.8 ) mg/dL ( + 0.005 [ 0.46 ] mmol/L ) , and -3.9 ( 16.5 ) mg/dL ( -0.10 [ 0.43 ] mmol/L ) for raw garlic , powdered supplement , aged extract supplement , and placebo , respectively . There were no statistically significant effects on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , triglyceride levels , or total cholesterol-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio . CONCLUSIONS 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 clinical ly significant effects on LDL-C or other plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia Summary For the first time , a weak clinical efficacy of a 12-week therapy with garlic powder ( daily dose , 800 mg ) is demonstrated in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease stage II . The increase in walking distance in the verum group by 46 m ( from 161.0 ± 65.1 to 207.1 ± 85.0 m ) was significantly higher ( P<0.05 ) than in the placebo group ( by 31 m , from 172.0 ± 60.9 to 203.1 ± 72.8 ) . Both groups received physical therapy twice a week . The diastolic blood pressure , spontaneous thrombocyte aggregation , plasma viscosity , and cholesterol concentration also decreased significantly . Body weight was maintained . It is quite interesting that the garlic-specific increase in walking distance did not appear to occur until the 5th week of treatment , connected with a simultaneous decrease in spontaneous thrombocyte aggregation . Therefore , garlic may be an appropriate agent especially for the long-term treatment of an incipient intermittent claudication A double-blind study of 40 hypercholesterolaemic out- patients was carried out over a period of four months to examine the effects of a garlic powder preparation*. The drug group received 900 mg garlic powder per day , equivalent to 2,700 mg of fresh garlic . During the therapy , the drug group showed significantly lower total cholesterol , triglycerides and blood pressure than those of the placebo group . In addition , results of a self-evaluation question naire indicated that patients in the drug group had a greater feeling of ' well-being ' OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that a garlic supplement alters plasma lipoproteins , postpr and ial lipemia , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) size and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) subclass distribution differently in 50 moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects classified as LDL subclass pattern A or B. BACKGROUND Garlic has been variably reported to reduce or not affect plasma cholesterol values . Low-density lipoprotein pattern B is a common inherited disorder of lipoprotein metabolism that has been shown to have a significantly greater response to several lipid lowering treatments including low fat diet when compared with LDL pattern A individuals . METHODS A double blind , r and omized , placebo controlled trial in an outpatient lipid research clinic was performed and included fifty moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects ( mean LDL cholesterol = 166 + /- 22 mg/dl ) classified as LDL subclass pattern A ( predominantly large LDL , n = 22 ) or B ( predominantly small LDL , n = 28 ) . Following a two-month stabilization period , subjects were r and omly assigned to a placebo or 300 mg three times a day of a st and ardized garlic tablet for three months . RESULTS For all subjects , LDL pattern A and B subjects combined , garlic treatment for three months result ed in no significant change in total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , HDL cholesterol , HDL subclass distribution , postpr and ial triglycerides , apolipoprotein B , lipoprotein ( a ) ( Lp[a ] ) , LDL peak particle diameter or LDL subclass distribution . There was no significant difference in response for the same parameters among subjects classified as LDL pattern A or B with the exception of significantly greater ( p = 0.01 ) reduction in mean peak particle diameter in pattern A subjects treated with either garlic or placebo . There was no significant change in LDL subclass distribution . CONCLUSIONS This investigation confirms that garlic therapy has no effect on major plasma lipoproteins and further , that it has no impact on HDL subclasses , Lp(a ) , apolipoprotein B , postpr and ial triglycerides or LDL subclass distribution .  Garlic may have a greater effect on LDL particle diameter in LDL pattern A compared with pattern B subjects . This difference was not reflected in other plasma lipid measurements Recent studies have cast doubt on the proposed lipid-lowering and blood pressure-lowering effects of garlic . We tested the effect of dried garlic ( Allium sativum ) powder on blood lipids , blood pressure and arterial stiffness in a 12-week r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . Seventy-five healthy , normo-lipidaemic volunteers ( men and women aged 40 - 60 years ) were assigned to dried garlic powder tablets ( 10.8 mg alliin ( 3-(2-propenylsulfinyl)-L-alanine)/d , corresponding to about three garlic cloves ) or placebo .  Sixty-two subjects were eligible for the per- protocol analysis . The primary outcome measure was serum total cholesterol concentration . Secondary outcome measures were LDL-cholesterol , HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations , blood pressure and arterial stiffness ( assessed by pulse wave velocity ) . No significant differences between the garlic and placebo groups were detected for any of the outcome measures . However , garlic powder was associated with a near-significant decrease ( 12 % ) in triacylglycerol concentration ( P=0.07 ) . In conclusion , garlic powder tablets have no clinical ly relevant lipid-lowering and blood pressure-lowering effects in middle-aged , normo-lipidaemic individuals . The putative anti-atherosclerotic effect of garlic may be linked to risk markers other than blood lipids Clinical trials have shown that garlic can reduce elevated blood cholesterol levels . No information , however , exist on its effects on normal lipid patterns . Therefore a r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial was conducted to determine the effects on blood lipids of 15 weeks ' medication of garlic ( 600 mg dried garlic powder per day , Kwai , Lichtwer Pharma Berlin , st and ardised on 1.3 % allicin ) in 68 normal volunteers . During a two week " wash-out " period all measurements were stable . There was a significant drop ( from 223 to 214mg/dl ) in total cholesterol after 10 weeks ' medication , triglycerides decreased numerically ( from 124 to 118mg/dl ) without reaching the level of significance . Blood pressure remained constant throughout . No changes occurred in the placebo group . It is concluded that the medication of garlic induces changes in blood lipids , even if these variables had been normal to start with The effects of dried garlic on blood lipids , apolipoproteins and blood coagulation parameters in hyperlipemic patients were studies in two controlled , r and omized , double-blind studies . Both studies comprised placebo and therapy periods of 6 weeks each . The doses administered were 3 X 198 mg in Study I ( 34 patients ) and 3 X 450 mg in Study II ( 51 patients ) . In both studies , the following serum parameters were measured every 3 weeks : total cholesterol , HDL ( high density lipoprotein)- and LDL ( low density lipoprotein)-cholesterol , triglycerides and several safety parameters . In addition , apolipoproteins A and B , euglobulin lysis time , fibrin split products , prothrombin time , whole blood coagulation time and fibrinogen levels were determined in the second study only . The results indicated that neither dosage of dried garlic showed any significant effect on any of the parameters measured . It is therefore concluded that , if there is any effect of garlic on the parameters measured , it is not apparent when using a dried preparation in the dosage studied Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is impaired and predicts the risk of a coronary event in patients with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) . Oxidant stress and increased systemic inflammation may contribute to this endothelial dysfunction . Aged garlic extract ( AGE ) contains antioxidant compounds and increases nitric oxide production and decreases the output of inflammatory cytokines from cultured cells . The aim of this study was to test the effect of treatment with AGE on brachial artery flow mediated endothelium-dependent dilation ( FMD ) and circulating markers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation . The trial included 15 men with angiographically proven CAD in a r and omized , placebo-controlled , cross-over design with 2-week treatment and washout periods . During AGE supplementation , FMD increased ( 44 % ) significantly ( p = 0.04 ) from the baseline and mainly in men with lower baseline FMD . Levels of FMD at the end of AGE treatment were significantly ( p = 0.03 ) higher compared with the corresponding levels at the end of placebo treatment when the variation in baseline body weight was taken into account . Markers of oxidant stress ( plasma oxidized low density lipoprotein and peroxides ) , systemic inflammation ( plasma C-reactive protein ad interleukin-6 ) and endothelial activation ( VCAM-1 ) did not change significantly during the study . These data suggest that short-term treatment with AGE may improve impaired endothelial function in men with CAD treated with aspirin and a statin . Whether improvement in endothelial function decreases the risk of future cardiovascular events remains to be determined Objective : To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic effect of an enteric-coated garlic supplement st and ardized for allicin-releasing potential in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemic patients . Methods : A double-blind r and omized , placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted in 46 hypercholesterolemic subjects who had failed or were not compliant with drug therapy . Each subject was given dietary counseling to lower fat intake and enteric-coated Australian garlic powder tablets with 9.6 mg allicin-releasing potential or matching placebo tablets . Results : After 12 weeks , the garlic supplement group ( n=22 ) had a significant reduction in total cholesterol ( TC , −0.36 mmol/L , −4.2 % ) and LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C , −0.44 mmol/L , −6.6 % ) while the placebo group ( n=24 ) had a non-significant increase in TC ( 0.13 mmol/L , 2.0 % ) and LDL-C ( 0.18 mmol/L , 3.7 % ) . HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased in the placebo group ( 0.09 mmol/L , 9.1 % ) , compared to the garlic group ( −0.02 mmol/L , −0.9 % ) , and no significant difference in triglycerides or in LDL/HDL ratio was observed between groups . Conclusions : The study demonstrates that enteric-coated garlic powder supplements with 9.6 mg allicin-releasing potential may have value in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemic patients when combined with a low fat diet . Taken with other evidence , the efficacy of garlic for lipoprotein metabolism might require allicin bioavailability to be enhanced through the use of , for example , an enteric-coated dose form . If this is the case , the possibility remains that greater hypocholesterolemic efficacy may be evident at a higher allicin dose . Also noteworthy in this study was a small reduction in energy intake with garlic compared with placebo , attributable to reduction in fat , carbohydrate and alcohol intakes . This may also have contributed to the effects on blood lipids . This study suggests that garlic supplementation has a cholesterol-lowering effect , which may be mediated by direct action of a biologically active compound or compounds and in part through the effect on food and nutrient intake Thirty patients with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) were administered garlic ( study group ) while another 30 patients received the  placebo ( control group )  . Various risk parameters were determined at 1.5 and 3 months of garlic administration . Garlic , administered in a daily dose of 2 x 2 capsules ( each capsule containing ethyl acetate extract from 1 g peeled and crushed raw garlic ) , reduced significantly total serum cholesterol and triglycerides , and increased significantly HDL-cholesterol and fibrinolytic activity . There was no effect on the fibrinogen and glucose levels . In vitro effects of the garlic oil on platelet aggregation ( PAg ) and eicosanoid metabolism were examined ; it inhibited PAg induced by several platelet agonists , and also platelet thromboxane formation . Two important paraffinic polysulphides - diallyl disulphide ( DADS ) and diallyl trisulphide ( DATS ) - derived from garlic and are usual constituents of garlic oil , showed antiplatelet activity , and also inhibited platelet thromboxane formation . In this respect DATS was more potent than DADS .  The nature of inhibition of PAg by DATS was found to be reversible Significant positive effects could be achieved in a placebo-controlled double-blind study through the administration of 800 mg of garlic powder over a period of four weeks . Spontaneous thrombocyte aggregation disappeared , the microcirculation of the skin increased by 47.6 % ( from 0.63 + /- 0.13 to 0.93 + /- 0.22 mm/s ) , plasma viscosity decreased by 3.2 % ( from 1.25 + /- 0.34 to 1.21 + /- 0.43 mPas ) , diastolic blood pressure by 9.5 % ( from 74 + /- 9 to 67 + /- 5 mmHg ) , and blood glucose concentration by 11.6 % ( from 89.4 + /- 8.8 to 79.0 + /- 11.9 mg/dl ) . The vascular protection of garlic as atherosclerosis prevention by influencing the mentioned risk parameters for cardiovascular diseases must be pointed out . Especially interesting is the thrombocyte aggregation inhibiting effect . Thus , the application of garlic may be useful in case of acetylsalicyclic acid intolerance Forty-seven non-hospitalised patients with mild hypertension took part in a r and omised , placebo-controlled , double-blind trial conducted by 11 general practitioners . The patients who were admitted had diastolic blood pressures between 95 and 104 mmHg after a two-week acclimatization phase . The patients then took either a preparation of garlic powder ( Kwai ) or a placebo of identical appearance for 12 weeks . Blood pressure and plasma lipids were monitored during treatment after four , eight and 12 weeks . Significant differences between the placebo and the drug group were found during the course of therapy . For example , the supine diastolic blood pressure in the group having garlic treatment fell from 102 to 91 mmHg after eight weeks ( p less than 0.05 ) and to 89 mmHg after 12 weeks ( p less than 0.01 ) . The serum cholesterol and triglycerides were also significantly reduced after eight and 12 weeks of treatment . In the placebo group , on the other h and , no significant changes occurred Most trials of bulb garlic and garlic powder tablets indicate reduced  coronary heart disease ( CHD ) risk in elevated-risk subjects . Most persons taking garlic supplements lack overt risk of CHD . However , no trials have tested steam-distilled garlic oil ( GO ) capsules with healthy subjects . The objectives of the present r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study were to determine whether GO capsules reduce CHD risk in trained male runners . Twenty-seven volunteers ( mean age , 28.8 years ) completed the study . Each took 12.3 mg/day GO ( or placebo ) capsules for 16 weeks . Main outcome measures were 95 % confidence intervals ( CIs ) between GO and placebo groups for differences in changes of blood pressure ( BP ) , plasma lipids , total antioxidant status ( TAS ) , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) composition and blood clotting factors . Principal results as mean differences ( 95 % CI ) between GO and placebo are : pulse , 2.9 beats/min ( −0.8 to 6.7 ) , P= 0.12 ; systolic BP , −4.5 mmHg ( −10.8 to 1.9 ) , P= 0.16 ; plasma total cholesterol , 0.01 mmol/l ( −0.34 to 0.37 ) , P= 0.95 ; plasma triglycerides , −0.20 mmol/l ( −0.43 to 0.03 ) , P= 0.09 ; plasma TAS , 45 μmol Trolox equivalent/l ( −35 to 124 ) , P= 0.26 ; LDL density , 0.0019 g/ml ( −0.0005 to 0.0043 ) , P= 0.12 ; LDL triglycerides/protein , −0.078 mg/mg ( −0.149 to −0.007 ) , P= 0.03 ; LDL cholesterol/protein , −0.24 mg/mg ( −0.69 to 0.22 ) , P= 0.3 ; LDL TAS/triglycerides , 29 nmol/mg ( 11 , 68 ) , P= 0.15 ; prothrombin time , 0.99 s ( −0.36 to 2.35 ) , P= 0.14 ; partial thromboplastin time , 3.0 s ( −1.0 to 7.1 ) , P= 0.13 . Results were null statistically . Trends with GO were mostly towards lower CHD risk , and a larger study ( ~150 subjects ) is required to test their validity This study evaluated the effect of a dried garlic powder preparation , st and ardised to 1.3 % alliin , on the composition of plasma lipoproteins and erythrocyte membranes . Forty volunteers , aged 70 years and over , took 600 mg of garlic powder per day for three months . In participants with initially normal plasma cholesterol levels ( CH less than 200 mg/dl ; n = 11 ) after three months of garlic tablet administration , little or no change in CH values was registered , as for most of the other parameters . In contrast , in volunteers with initially elevated CH levels ( CH greater than 200 mg/dl , n = 29 ) , the CH levels were reduced by -7.7 % ( p less than 0.001 ) . This reduction took place primarily in the esterified cholesterol fraction ( -12 % , p less than 0.001 ) , whereas free cholesterol concentrations were not altered significantly . Triglycerides ( -15.9 % , p less than 0.05 ) and plasma choline phospholipids ( -4.6 % , p less than 0.01 ) were also reduced . No change of the plasma LDL-CH to HDL-CH ratio was observed in this group . Based on the weight of lyophilised , haemoglobin-free erythrocytes , the mean membrane concentration of phospholipids and cholesterol in the total cohort ( n = 40 ) increased by 5.7 % ( p less than 0.001 ) and 6.1 % ( p less than 0.01 ) , respectively . These increases were more pronounced the lower the body mass indices ( kg/m2 ) were , and the longer the duration of garlic administration was . The molar ratio of membrane phospholipids to cholesterol remained unchanged . The results are discussed with regard to a possible role of the garlic-induced membrane effects in the plasma lipid-lowering potency of garlic and preparations made from it
target: Garlic reduces TC to a modest extent , an effect driven mostly by the modest reductions in TAG , without appreciable LDL lowering or HDL elevation .
  Higher baseline line TC levels and the use of dietary modification may alter the effect of garlic on these parameters .
background: In order to determine the impact of  garlic on total cholesterol ( TC ) , TAG levels , as well as LDL and HDL  , and establish if any variables have an impact on the magnitude of this effect , a meta- analysis was conducted .