Garlic Extract
Garlic extract is a nutritional supplement made by concentrating and extracting the active ingredients from garlic (Allium sativum). It is known as a "natural antibiotic" and a "vascular cleanser." Garlic extracts on the market are mainly divided into two categories: powder capsules rich in allicin, and "aged garlic extract (AGE)" that has undergone aging and fermentation.
Garlic extract is most commonly used to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and boost immunity (preventing colds). It covers multiple objectives, including cardiovascular protection, antibacterial and antiviral properties, and antioxidant effects.
Dosage information
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Garlic extract is most commonly used to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and boost immunity (preventing colds).
Garlic extract is a highly concentrated form of garlic. Fresh garlic contains a substance called alliin, which, when chopped or crushed, comes into contact with alliinase and is converted into allicin, a compound with a strong odor and pharmacological activity. In addition, aged garlic (AGE) contains a stable water-soluble sulfide , S-allyl cysteine (SAC) , which is less odorous and gentler on the stomach.
Its main benefits are focused on cardiovascular health and immune defense . It helps dilate blood vessels (lowering blood pressure), reduces the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL), and inhibits platelet aggregation (preventing blood clots). In terms of immunity, it can activate natural killer cells (NK cells), helping to shorten the duration of a cold.
The most obvious drawback is the odor (breath and body odor). Even products labeled "odorless" may still have a garlic smell when burping after consumption. Furthermore, garlic extract has anticoagulant properties and carries a high risk when used with certain medications. Raw garlic extract is highly irritating to the gastric mucosa and can easily cause stomach pain or acid reflux.
- Lowering blood pressure : The polysulfides in garlic can promote the release of nitric oxide (NO) from vascular endothelial cells, which relaxes blood vessels.
- Antibacterial and antiviral : Allicin can disrupt bacterial cell wall synthesis and interfere with viral replication.
Disease prevention and assistance
Garlic extract effectively improves health problems
✔︎ Hypertension
Mild to moderate blood pressure lowering effect, especially systolic blood pressure.
✔︎ High Cholesterol
It slightly lowers total cholesterol and LDL, but has less effect on triglycerides.
✔︎ Common Cold & Flu
While it cannot completely prevent infection, studies show it can shorten the time to approximately [missing information].
Reduces symptom severity in 60-70% of sick days.
✔︎ Atherosclerosis
Aged garlic (AGE) helps reduce the process of blood vessel calcification.
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Kyolic, Garlic Extract™, Cardiovascular Health, Original Formula 100, 300 Capsules (300 mg per capsule)
Contains Aged Garlic Extract , a garlic extract that has undergone a patented aging process, retaining a variety of natural active ingredients that support cardiovascular health , help maintain blood circulation and overall heart health ; it also has antioxidant properties, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress , making it a nutritional supplement choice for daily cardiovascular and health maintenance.
Mason Natural, Garlic, 1000 mg, 100 softgels
Contains garlic extract , rich in natural sulfur compounds and antioxidants, which help support cardiovascular health , promote blood circulation , and maintain immune system function ; it also has antioxidant properties, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress , making it suitable as a daily health supplement.
Nutricost, Garlic, 1000 mg, 240 softgels
Contains garlic extract , rich in natural sulfur compounds and antioxidants, which help support cardiovascular health and blood circulation ; it also supports the immune system and provides antioxidant protection, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress , making it suitable as a daily health supplement.
NOW Foods, Deodorized Garlic, Concentrated Extract, 250 Softgels (25 mg per softgel)
Contains odorless garlic extract , rich in natural sulfur compounds and antioxidants, which help support cardiovascular health and blood circulation ; it also supports the immune system and provides antioxidant protection, which helps maintain cell health and is suitable as a daily health supplement.
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Dosage information
When choosing garlic extract, the key is to look at the "allicin potential" or "SAC content".
- Recommended daily intake :
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Regular garlic powder : 600-1,200 mg daily (usually divided into 2-3 doses), check label for 3,000 mg of garlic powder.
Allicin potential of 6,000 mcg . - Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) : 600-2,400 mg daily. This is the most commonly used dose for cardiovascular health in clinical studies.
- How to view tags :
- If purchasing powder capsules, it is recommended to choose products with an **enteric-coated** design, because allicinase is inactivated in stomach acid, and the enteric coating protects it until it is released into the intestines, ensuring that allicin is successfully generated.
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) : There is no specific upper limit, but high doses can easily cause heartburn and body odor problems.
Not recommended to take with garlic extract
- Mechanism : Garlic extract has the function of inhibiting platelet aggregation (similar to aspirin).
- Consequences : When used in combination with anticoagulants, it can have an "additive effect," causing fluctuations in the INR index and significantly increasing the risk of internal bleeding .
- Recommendation : Those taking anticoagulants should not take high doses of garlic extract without authorization.
- Mechanism : This is the most well-known drug interaction of garlic extract. Garlic induces the liver enzyme CYP450, accelerating drug metabolism.
- Consequences : Studies show that continuous use of garlic extract can reduce the blood concentration of Saquinavir by about 50% , causing the drug to become ineffective and the virus to develop drug resistance.
- Recommendation : HIV patients undergoing treatment should absolutely refrain from taking garlic supplements.
- Mechanism : Garlic may accelerate the metabolism of these drugs.
- Consequences : Lower drug concentrations increase the risk of organ transplant rejection.
- Recommendation : Transplant patients should consult their doctor; this method is generally not recommended.
Safety Information and Side Effects
- Pregnancy : Food dosages are safe, but supplements require caution . While garlic is a healthy food, high concentrations of supplements may increase the risk of bleeding (especially during labor). Garlic can also alter the taste of amniotic fluid, potentially affecting the fetus. It is recommended to use garlic only for cooking and seasoning during pregnancy, avoiding high-dose capsules.
- During breastfeeding : Safe, but may alter the taste of breast milk . Studies show that the garlic flavor may transfer to breast milk, which may encourage some babies to suckle longer, but could also lead to refusal to nurse or worsen colic in others.
- Before surgery : Due to its anticoagulant effect, please be sure to stop taking it 2 weeks before surgery to avoid excessive bleeding during the operation.
- Digestive discomfort : Common symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, and acid reflux, which are more severe when taken on an empty stomach.
- Bleeding tendency : Prone to nosebleeds or gum bleeding.
