Garlic Pills for Weight Loss
Garlic is famous for its culinary and health benefits. Its role as an herb in potent weight loss is also worth mentioning, though there is not enough scientific evidence to back the claim. It is also not clear whether garlic pills influence weight loss directly, or if it conforms to improve the health conditions leading to obesity.
Dr. Raymond Fish of London's Obesity Research Centre says, "A daily dose of raw organic garlic has proved to be a powerful fat destroyer and weight reducer." However, to avoid the strong odor of raw garlic, over-the-counter garlic pills are used as an alternative.
Garlic Reduces Cholesterol
A 2003 review by researchers at Brigham Young University found "that garlic supplements were modestly effective in lowering total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol in 6 out of 10 studies." It is mostly effective when garlic pills are swallowed, when allin is converted to allicin. Allicin dissolves fats and reduces blood cholesterol levels. But the pill should be enteric-coated or stomach acid can destroy the enzyme. Reducing blood cholesterol levels imply that the saturated and trans-fat are being regulated in the body, leading to weight loss.
Garlic Lowers High Blood Pressure
Obesity and high blood pressure are directly linked to each other. Dr. Karin Ried and colleagues from The University of Adelaide in South Australia say, "Supplementation with garlic preparations may provide an acceptable alternative or complementary treatment option for hypertension." The effect is linked to hydrogen sulfide that is produced from garlic compounds interacting with red blood cells.
Garlic and Vitamins:
Garlic contains an array of vitamins that help regulate metabolism. Notable among them are vitamins A, C, B1 and B2. These vitamins speed up the weight loss process by enhancing the fat-burning mechanism. Vitamin B1 and B2 also play a major role in the conversion of carbohydrates and fat into energy.
Allicin in Garlic Lower Triglyceride and Insulin
According to a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, "Allicin, has been shown to not only lower blood pressure, insulin and triglycerides in laboratory animals fed a fructose (sugar)-rich diet, but also to prevent weight gain." The researchers concluded that allicin may be of practical value for weight control.
Disadvantages of Garlic Pill
Garlic pills have their share of disadvantages. These pills are said to increase the risk of bleeding if taken with warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, other drugs that decrease blood clotting and possibly with fish-oil pills. They may interact with some medications for diabetes, HIV disease, hypertension, cancer and cholesterol. Some supplements may cause nausea, heartburn, bad breath and body odor.
Tags: weight loss, blood cholesterol, blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, garlic pills