Another study showing health benefits from garlic

[Justforfun000]

Eating Garlic Boosts Hydrogen Sulfide Which Relaxes Arteries
16 Oct 2007

Eating garlic is one of the best ways to lower high blood pressure and protect yourself from cardiovascular disease. A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) shows this protective effect is closely linked to how much hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is produced from garlic compounds interacting with red blood cells.

The UAB researchers found this interaction triggered red blood cells to release H2S, which then led to the relaxation of blood vessels. Fresh garlic was used at a concentration equal to eating two cloves. The resulting H2S production caused up to 72 percent vessel relaxation in rat arteries.

This relaxation is a first step in lowering blood pressure and gaining the heart-protective effects of garlic, said David Kraus, Ph.D., a UAB associate professor in the Departments of Environmental Health Sciences and Biology and the study's lead author.

The research team examined molecules in garlic called polysulfides and their ability to liberate H2S within cells. The findings appear in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

"When these garlic compounds are metabolized to H2S in the vascular system, the H2S targets membrane channels and causes smooth muscle cells to relax," Kraus said. "So a garlic-rich diet has many good effects, and H2S may be the common mediator."

The findings add to a study by John Elrod and David Lefer, Ph.D., of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine published in PNAS that showed H2S protected hearts from the tissue and cell damage often seen in heart attack patients.

The new study, performed by Gloria Benavides, Ph.D., of UAB's Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Kraus and others, is the first to show garlic-derived polysulfides in the diet boost bodily H2S production.

H2S is a toxic, flammable gas responsible for the smell of rotten eggs. It's also produced naturally by the body in small amounts, and as age advances, H2S production dwindles.

Exactly how H2S affords the cardiovascular system so much protection is not entirely clear, but it may involve limiting oxidative damage in cells, Kraus said.

"The role of garlic compounds in preventing platelet aggregation, which can trigger a heart attack or stroke, and in limiting cancer growth and the progression of several diseases is well documented," he said.

The new findings show H2S may be the mediator for these protective benefits. Future studies are being planned to better understand how much H2S production is needed through garlic or supplements to maximize those benefits.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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The research is supported grants from the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health.

Source: Troy Goodman
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/85678.php

[Kanastrous]

And it repels vampires, which is good enough for me.

[Erik von Nein]

You know, I was wondering how the people of Gilroy stayed so healthy!

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

So far, Game 4 of the ALCS has been a nice, tight defensive duel: four hits for Boston and only one for Cleveland. Still scoreless at Jacobs Field after four innings.

Wrong thread?

[Elaro]

Oh good, because i've used some recently in a sauce, and now my hands smell garlic-y... Three days after.

Yikes.

[Patrick Degan]

Aak —wrong thread indeed! Could a moderator delete that above post while I fix this in the thread it's intended to go in?

[Sriad]

So far, Game 4 of the ALCS has been a nice, tight defensive duel: four hits for Boston and only one for Cleveland. Still scoreless at Jacobs Field after four innings.

Wrong thread?

No, just an inspired non sequitur.

Or so I was hoping until his last post...

But this is excellent news! I can now tell myself that steak with dried garlic chips is heart-health neutral.

[His Divine Shadow]

Garlic is one of the greatest condiments ever.

[WesFox13]

Horray! Another advantage of eating Garlic. I love garlic in my Ceaser salad, in my pasta and to use it as a spread for breads. Yum! And it keeps the vampires away too .

[salm]

Garlizzle fo Shizzle. Damn, i love that stuff.

[PainRack]

Now if only the ladies won't get repelled by the bad breath..................................

[General Trelane (Retired)]

And it repels vampires, which is good enough for me.

It also repels me, so that must mean. . .

Now if only the ladies won't get repelled by the bad breath. . .

I'm not a lady, but it's not just the breath. The body odour lingers for days on end even after the breath is fine.

[Sarevok]

Are not there studies showing most studies are false ?

I seem to recall seeing studies on everything from harmfulness of pig meat to benifits of onion. There are so many of this did-u-kno medical factoids in the news that I dont know what to trust anymore.

[Justforfun000]

I seem to recall seeing studies on everything from harmfulness of pig meat to benifits of onion. There are so many of this did-u-kno medical factoids in the news that I dont know what to trust anymore.

Trust whatever you hear the most.

No, I'm kidding. Seriously, studies are like a jigsaw puzzle piece. It gives you a fraction of a picture. If you get enough pieces and they all start coming together, then you can trust it more then usual...but there is no absolute hard and fast rules out there.

Garlic has actually had quite a few good quality studies behind it. It's a natural blood thinner, and can also be used to lower high blood pressure in a minor to moderate degree.

[Justforfun000]

lol. I actually forgot what health benefits the article was touting when I wrote the above and I ended up just sounding redundant. Oh well. At least it supports what I just said.