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7 minutes
Garlic capsules have great benefits for your health. See how to use them, what they are for and how they affect your body.
Garlic has traveled the world in its history as a food, condiment and supplement. All this, thanks to its culinary and therapeutic properties. For instance, garlic capsules are used as adjuvants for cardiovascular prevention.
Its active components have health benefits. The most effective are sulfur compounds, which contribute to their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential.
Due to its importance, there are different forms of presentation in the market. Garlic capsules are one of the most widely used.
How much should you consume per day and what recommendations are appropriate to get the most out of it? Stick with us to learn how to best incorporate them into your diet.
What kind of vegetable is garlic?
Garlic is a plant called Allium sativum, meaning “fiery culture” or “hot”. It originated in Central Asia, from where it spread to Asia Minor and Egypt, and from there to all of Europe, later reaching Africa and America.
As a vegetable, it is a bulb that belongs to the family Liliaceae. It is made up of several bulblets, called “teeth”, which are attached to a base. Each tooth is covered with an inner layer and the entire bulb with an outer layer.
In addition, the bulb is the storage organ of the plant because it contains carbohydrates and proteins. There are several active components that it exhibits.
Active components
In addition to water and carbohydrates, such as fructose, garlic contains sulfur compounds, fiber and free amino acids. It highlights vitamin C, phenolic compounds, polyphenols and phytosterols. Its most present minerals are potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, iron and calcium.
Their active compounds sulfur are relevant. Here it is worth mentioning allixin, allicin, alliin, thiosulfinate, diallyl di- and trisulfide, triosulfinate, allyl mercaptocysteine and S-allylcysteine (SAC).
Garlic also contains hormones that act in the same way as humans. Additionally, several amino acids have been isolated, such as histidine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Benefits of garlic capsules
Garlic capsules are supplements that contain a unit dose of one or more active ingredients. They are intended for oral administration, and when acquiring them, it is necessary to check how the raw material was obtained. Its effectiveness depends on it.
For example, raw garlic retains more active ingredients than cooked garlic. When fresh it is more potent than the old.
antioxidant effect
Some studies highlighted the antioxidant effect of the extract of Allium sativum When consumed, a decrease in the production of free radicals has been observed. These radicals oxidize cells, damaging their function and accelerating aging.
Frequent consumption of garlic has also been observed to produce an increase in antioxidant factors, such as glutathione and the enzyme superoxide dismutase. Both protect lipoproteins from oxidation and help prevent cardiovascular disease.
The components with the highest antioxidant activity in garlic are allicin and S-allyl cysteine or SAC.
Reduces blood lipid levels
Some research has concluded What garlic changes blood lipids, because it is able to counteract the increase in triglycerides in the blood. He is able to reduce cholesterol level by 12% after 4 weeks of treatment.
The greatest decrease in cholesterol was observed with raw garlic, at a dose of 10 grams per day; or garlic oil, at a dose of 8 milligrams per day.
can regulate blood pressure
Garlic’s Bioactive Compounds Relax Blood Vessels, improve blood flow, strengthen the vascular wall and lower blood pressure. Garlic is also able to reduce the formation of blood clots, by inhibiting platelet aggregation.
Its strong anti-atherosclerotic potential, promoted its use in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
neuroprotective effect
Garlic extract may have neuroprotective effects, particularly due to the antioxidant properties of S-allylcysteine. this component may improve cognitive impairment in disorders related to oxidative stress.
This is why it is recommended in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, strokes and Huntington’s Korea. The neuroprotective effect promotes memory and learning.
Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory role
Some studies found that garlic extract improves the immune system, which is linked to reducing inflammation. The most active compounds are sulfur and the effective dose to improve the immune response in humans is 1.8 to 10 grams of garlic per day.
The components of garlic also stimulate the production of the body’s defense lines. For example, lymphocytes, macrophages and cells killer. Likewise, they increase immunostimulatory cytokines.
This immunomodulatory activity It’s effective to help in the treatment of flu, colds and bronchitis. Likewise, it has also been associated with the mechanism of Cancer prevention.
Antimicrobial and antifungal
The anti-infective properties of garlic have been known since ancient times. It has antimicrobial activity against different pathogenic bacteriaas E.coli, Salmonella, H.pylori, among others. Garlic Allixin showed significant inhibitory effects against fungi, yeasts and parasites.
Garlic Consumption Recommendations
Garlic is found in 5 different forms on the market:
- Fresh raw.
- In essential oil.
- Macerated oil.
- Dust.
- Extract of aged garlic.
These preparations are marketed in the form of capsules or tablets. They have a cover to prevent their active components from breaking down and being affected by breath.
The European Medicines Agency establishes the following doses for adults and the elderly, depending on the type of preparation contained in the capsule:
- With garlic powder: a single dose of 300 to 750 milligrams or daily doses between 900 and 1380 milligrams divided into 3 to 5 doses.
- Liquid extract: a single dose between 110 and 220 milligrams, 4 times a day, and in a daily dose between 440 and 880 milligrams.
- Garlic dry extract: a dose of 100 to 200 milligrams, once or twice a day, or daily doses of 100 to 400 milligrams are recommended.
It is important to read the label and follow the instructions of the doctor or nutritionist to adapt the dose to each particular case.
Possible side effects
How often certain side effects may appear is still unknown.. However, the following are mentioned as the most common:
- Bad breath and bad body odor.
- Headaches, dizziness and profuse sweating.
- Flatulence, stomach pain and diarrhea.
- Impaired platelet function with possible bleeding.
- Changes in the intestinal microflora.
- Low blood sugar level.
Contraindications of garlic capsules
Garlic capsules they should be avoided during certain physiological states, such as pregnancy and lactation. In the latter case, it can alter the taste of breast milk.
It should also be omitted in patients with bleeding problems, digestive disorders, who suffer from low blood pressure and who are considering surgery.
They should also not be taken with oral anticoagulants, like warfarin. Neither antihypertensives, such as lisinopril, nor analgesics such as paracetamol.
Is it recommended to incorporate garlic capsules into a healthy diet?
The answer to this question is yes. In healthy diets, we usually use garlic as a seasoning, so the quantities to eat will not always be sufficient.
It is advisable to use garlic capsules under the guidance of a health professional who indicates the best preventive doses. They will depend on the presentation of the capsule.
However, the best are the most concentrated. A garlic extract in doses of 100 to 220 milligrams, divided into 2 to 4 daily intakes, is sufficient.
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