Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Cholesterol problems are a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. And cholesterol problems are on the rise because of bad diet. Is garlic powerful enough to help?
This meta-analysis of 21 controlled studies included over 1,600 people with cholesterol problems who were not taking cholesterol drugs.
It found that garlic significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides and the bad LDL cholesterol while slightly but significantly increasing the good HDL cholesterol.
For total cholesterol and triglycerides, the effect was greatest for people over 50, suggesting that garlic may have an even greater effect as we age. For total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, garlic oil had an even greater effect than garlic powder.
This large meta-analysis adds to the evidence that garlic improves cholesterol and can protect against cardiovascular disease.
J Health Popul Nutr. 2024 Aug 7;43(1):113.
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