Health benefits of garlic

In folk medicine, garlic had many uses. Recent researches have proven many uses of garlic. Garlic has a proven ability to lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises the good one (HDL). It has been shown that people who ate 2 cloves of garlic a day had 9% lower cholesterol. Garlic protects the aorta, the largest artery in the body. It maintains the blood pressure and the blood flow throughout the body. Garlic slows the aging of aorta and it keeps aorta flexible even in the old age. Garlic has also been proven to have anti carcinogenic effect. As it boosts the immune system, which is required to fight of cancer, it also has the ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic cells. The compounds of garlic that do \"the work\" are diallye disulphide and s-allycystein. They are relieved from garlic when garlic is crushed. Garlic is also rich in sulfur components that also have anti carcinogenic effect.

Among the lesser illnesses, garlic is especially god at treating the common cold. A clove or more of raw garlic will definitely boost up the immune system to fight the cold. Back at 1858, Louis Pasteur found out that bacteria exposed to garlic died. Garlic has antibacterial effect but not only that but antiviral and anti fungi abilities as well. It is effective against recurrent yeast infections, intestinal parasites and Candida but it cannot replace official medications in these situations. It can, however, give an additional effort to fight of the infections.

In the folklore, it is revered as an aphrodisiac and recent studies have shown that these legends are true and that it can be helpful to men who are dealing with impotence. Researchers have found out that the compounds in garlic have a beneficial influence on the enzyme called nitric oxide synthase which is required for an erection.

There are many other benefits from garlic. Researchers are finding the connection between garlic and improved learning and memory. But how do we take it? Well the best way is to add it into your diet. Garlic will be efficiently absorbed into a human body if it is chopped or cut. Many people do not like the garlic breath or it falls heavily on their stomach. For them, there are garlic supplements but it is always better to eat garlic, whether raw or cooked. If a person is suffering from high blood pressure and is taking medications for that, a doctor should be consulted before adding garlic. The reason for that is due to its blood thinning and anticoagulative properties.

The conclusion is that by eating garlic, one can boost the immune system and treat himself from minor colds without the use of artificially manufactured drugs.