Latin Name: Allium sativum
Common Name: Garlic, Poor Man's Treacle.
Usage
Garlic helps to lower cholesterol. It is also useful in colds and flu, ringworm, intestinal worms, and for liver, gallbladder, and digestive support.
History
Garlic is without a doubt one of man's most useful original herbal medicines. The first written record of Garlic is roughly 5,000 years old. The list of ailments it has effectively been used to treat is so extensive space does not permit a complete listing. It bears an outstanding reputation in the treatment of circulatory problems, weak digestion, and warding off respiratory problems.
Additional Information
The therapeutic effects of Garlic have been scientifically validated in the area of cholesterol and triglyceride lowering, as well as its strong antimicrobial properties. Research in Germany, India, France, China, England and the United States demonstrate consistent results proving the efficacy and safety of Garlic even in high doses. Known as a yang tonic in Chinese medicine, Garlic will stimulate appetite and metabolism, clear toxins, and act as an antimicrobial agent of the mucous membranes. A great deal of recent work has been done on the sulphur bearing amino acids in Garlic.
Usage Warnings
If you are taking anti-clotting medication, consult your physician before using Garlic in medicinal amounts.Individuals concerned with their cardiovascular health should consult with a physician. Intestinal disturbances may occur when not consumed with other food. Garlic's anticlotting action in medicinal amounts could cause problems for those with clotting disorders. Although Garlic at recommended dosage is far from a problem, if you have a clotting disorder or are taking anti-clotting medication, consult your physician before using Garlic in medicinal amounts.
The information provided on this site is for informational
purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice provided by a
healthcare professional. The
information provided should not be used for diagnosing, treating or prescribing
medication for treatment of a disease or health-related condition. You should carefully read all information
provided in product packaging and follow the appropriate directions for
use. If you have or suspect that you
have a medical problem, promptly contact your healthcare professional.
Nature’s Way Garlicin® Proven to Release 2.5 Times
More Allicin than the Closest Competitor
Larry Lawson, Ph.D.
Discussion:
Criteria for an Effective Garlic Supplement
Delayed formation of the active compound allicin.
Garlic is unique among herbs because its active compound, allicin, is not present
until the enzyme alliinase becomes activated and converts alliin into
allicin. This occurs when garlic cloves are crushed or when the powder becomes wet in a
non-acid environment.
Acid sensitivity of alliinase. Most
enzymes, including alliinase, are rapidly and completely inactivated by stomach acid (in
only two seconds). Therefore, garlic tablets must be enteric-coated to prevent the powder
from coming in contact with stomach acid. The quality of the enteric coating must be
sufficient to allow at least two hours of protection from tablet disintegration in stomach
acid.
Time sensitivity of alliinase. Once alliinase has
become activated upon contact with a non-acid solution, its activity at body temperature
dissipates quickly. A 1989 study reported 95% loss of activity in one hour in simulated
intestinal fluid with digestive enzymes present. We have shown a 95% loss of activity in
only 45 minutes without the presence of digestive enzymes. Consequently, garlic tablets
must disintegrate/dissolve quickly after passing through the stomach—ideally in less
than 45 minutes.
Slow disintegration results in only a small portion of
alliin ever being converted to allicin. For example, most brands of enteric coated tablets
require three hours to disintegrate in intestinal buffer solution, resulting in only
8%-15% conversion of their alliin to allicin. This percent does not increase when the
tablets are allowed to remain in intestinal fluids for extended periods (we have tested up
to seven hours) because the alliinase activity has expired.
Effective allicin release of at least 5,000 mcg of
allicin per day. Effective allicin release or effective allicin yield means the actual
amount of allicin released from the tablets under gastrointestinal conditions—as
simulated by Method 724A in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia.
The value of 5,000 mcg comes from positive serum
cholesterol lowering clinical trials conducted with tablets standardized to release
between 3,600-5,400 mcg of allicin.
Discussion: Comparing Garlic Supplements Using USP Method 724A
Definition. USP Method 724A is called the
"General Drug Release Standard" for "delayed release (enteric-coated)
articles" [1995 United States Pharmacopoeia, pages 1795-96]. It is the standard used
nationwide by pharmaceutical companies. USP standards and methods are officially
recognized as valid by the Food & Drug Administration.
Standards. The USP 724A standard requires two
hours of protection of the tablets from acid followed by complete drug release
(disintegration/dissolution of the tablets) in 45 minutes in intestine-simulating buffer.
This standard fits with garlic tablets because the 45 minute release in buffer closely
matches the length of time in which alliinase has activity.
Although the standard applies only to delayed-release
(enteric coated) tablets, any garlic supplement that makes allicin claims should be
evaluated by this standard.
Label claims. According to USP 724A, the label claim
for allicin must match the amount of allicin actually released under the conditions of
this method, not by simply dissolving crushed tablets in water which will always produce
higher values.
Nature’s Way Garlicin®, the only
compliant brand. Garlicin is the only brand that meets its allicin label claim under
Method 724A. This is the result of the proprietary SmartRelease™
technology which assures three things: a) Garlicin has a high alliin content, b) Garlicin
has a highly effective enteric coating to protect the tablet from stomach acid, and c)
Garlicin disintegrates in intestinal buffer quicker (only 40 minutes) than any other
brand.
Garlicin® is the highest allicin release
brand. Ranking first out of 40 brands tested, Nature’s Way Garlicin releases
7,100 mcg of allicin per recommended dose (2.5 times more than the nearest competitor).
Join us on Facebook!
(2)
Latin Name: Allium sativum