Be a loyal follower of garlic

Garlic compounds give 'invaders' a run for their money.

Even though Louis Pasteur, the French physician renowned for pioneering the pasteurization process, confirmed the antibacterial property of garlic in 1858, modern science - enamored with developing new antibiotics in the laboratory -- seemed to lose interest in the infection-fighting ability of this ancient herb.

Fortunately, garlic's loyal following of herbalists and devoted lay-people (including my grandfather who frequently admonished my sisters and me to eat lots of garlic) kept garlic's immuneboosting tradition alive as a popular home remedy and a general "cure for what ails you." Clearly garlic, and its derivatives, appears to be a veritable medicine-chest of immune-enhancing effects. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic powers

What is intriguing is the fact that although garlic prevents the growth of most bacteria, it is more likely to interfere with disease-causing bacteria, such as Esccherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (the cause of "staph" infection), while leaving normal intestinal flora intact.

Intestinal parasites, including many that cause diarrhea, are no match for garlic. And fungal infections, such as yeast (Candida albicans) infection also lose out when confronted by garlic. For this reason, garlic is a common recommendation from herbalists for the treatment of recurrent yeast infections in women.

Garlic has been tested against Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria implicated in the development of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer, and found to inhibit its growth. This may account for why garlic-loving countries have lower rates of stomach cancer.

Immune-boosting, cancer & AIDS

In addition to its direct anti-microbial effects, garlic boosts the body's own resistance to infection: the immune system. Garlic, by increasing numbers of white blood cells called lymphocytes and natural killer cells, helps the body more effectively ward off infectious invaders.

Garlic's immune-strengthening effects account, in part, for the association between garlic and a lower risk of cancer and better immune function in AIDS patients.

Garlic extract research and immune function

AIDS. In 1989, garlic extract was given to a group of patients with clinically documented HIV/AIDS (Deutsche Zeitschrift far Onkologie). After 12 weeks, the researchers, led by T.H. Abdullah, found that 7 out of 7 evaluable patients achieved normal natural killer (NK) cell immune function. Other infections responded to the program, too (parasitic, bacterial & viral); platelet counts also improved.

A 1991 study by Benjamin H.S. Lau (Molecular Therapy) observed that garlic extract beneficially modulated antitumor immunity, suggesting that "garlic compounds may serve as biological response modifiers by improving macrophage and T-lymphocyte functions," macrophages and lymphocytes being important tissue-based and circulating white blood cells, respectively.

Whole garlic research and immune function

Cancer. A 1997 study by Geja Hagerman (Cancer Letters 114:161162) examined cells taken from healthy, non-smoking men. Cells of those who consumed a cucumber salad with 3 g of raw garlic for 8 days were treated with a cancer-causing chemical (benzopyrene), as were the cells of those who did not receive the garlic. Statistically-significant anticancer protection was seen in the cells of the garlic-eaters.

The protection appears to result from the action of garlic compounds in "turning off" special enzymes, which, in turn, leads to the reduced formation of nasty pro-cancer chemicals and improved scavenging of reactive oxygen species (free radicals).

Garlic for allergies

Since allergy (and asthma) is truly an immune response, it is interesting, although not surprising, that both powdered-garlic preparations and garlic extract appear to improve (reduce) allergic response.

Powdered garlic. A patent application by L.M. Lichtenstein, et al. (Euro. Pat. 153-881, 1985) states that nonaged derivatives of garlic and onions can treat allergies and inflammation. Garlic extract. A 1997 animal study in Phytomedicine (4[41:335-340) by E. Kyo, et al., showed a powerful decrease in allergic-reaction-caused ear swelling - by 45 to 55 percent at the latest stage of the reactions.

In short, garlic compounds are powerful allies in the fight against infections and for anyone wanting to optimize their immune defenses.

[Reference]

REFERENCES within text.

[Reference]

Victoria Dolby, M.P.H., is a health and nutrition writer who lives in Oregon. She takes a comprehensive look at the history and health benefits of green tea in The Green Tea Book (Avery, 1998). Ask your retailer to call: (800) 548-5757.