GARLIC MAY WARD OFF MORE THAN SUPERSTITIONS 

Current Research – Otago University – New Zealand

Dr Michael Williams says the antioxidant properties of garlic may reduce your chances of developing coronary heart disease. 

Easting garlic may improve the health of your arteries and lower your risk of coronary heart disease. 

This theory is being tested by researchers Dr Michael Williams and Dr Wayne Suthrland from Otago's Dunedin School of Medicine.  The idea of using garlic as a possible therapeutic agent arose following a series of experiments looking at the potential protective properties of various dietary components (such as Vitamin C and red and white wine) on the function of cells loning the arteries - the endothelial cells. 

Measuring endothelial function can be done by a simple, non-invasive method.  It involves comparing the blood vessels' ability to dilate in response to increased blood flow and is used as a surrogate measure of cardiovascular health. 

"Often the earliest sign of coronary artery disease is a person, even before any pain is experienced, is endothelial dysfunction", says Williams. 

"Young people with high cholesterol, smokers and people at risk of cardiac events all show impaired endothelial function". 

Healthy endothelial cells protect against arterial disease in several ways.  They produce nitric oxide, considered a 'good' radical, causing blood vessels to dilate and maintaining normal flow.  Nitric oxide also prevents many of the steps leading to the formation of  artherosclerotic plaques or blockages in the arteries. 

"When endothelial cells are damaged nitric oxide production is impaired or its effects are inactivated." 

Dysfunctional endothelial cells can also have a lowered ability to prevent adhesion of blood platelets and white cells on the surface of the vessel - another risk factor in plaque formation. 

Where does garlic fit into the equation?  The anti-oxidant properties of garlic may protect the endothelial cells from this damage and decrease the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, which is another risk factor in plaque formation. 

A small-scale, double-blind trial with Dunedin coronary patients is underway, using a tasteless, odourless extract of garlic and a placebo.