GARLIC

Allium Sativum

For dylipidemias:

• 25 pts (mean age 58y) with moderate hypercholesterolemia (avg. baseline LDL 207; avg. HDL 58) randomized to steam-distilled garlic oil 5mg BID vs. placebo x 12wks. No sig. change in lipoprotein levels in either group during tx period (JAMA 279:1900, 1998--abst)
• In a meta-analysis of 13 randomized trial of garlic for dyslipidemias found garlic to be ass'd with a 5.8% reduction in total cholesterol compared with placebo (sig.); differences in effect on LDL and HDL were not significant.(Ann. Int. Med. 133:420, 2000--JW)
• IN a study in 192 pts with fasting LDL 130-190 mg/dL and TG < 250 randomized to garlic extracts (equivalent to 1 clove of raw garlic/d) vs. placebo 6d/wk x 6mos, there were no sig. diffs. in mean changes in LDL, HDL, total chol., or TG levels (Arch. Int. Med. 167:346, 2007--JW)