High Blood Pressure & Garlic

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a potentially dangerous problem suffered by many people, often without them being aware of it. It has been estimated that in the world  more than 2000 million people suffer from high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is in real meaning hypertension - the blood is being pumped through the system unusually fast and powerfully. This constant exertion of greater than normal force can damage the arteries, possibly leading in turn to kidney failure, heart attack and/or stroke. If you suspect you may have high blood pressure then it is essential that you discuss any symptoms with your doctor.

Causes of  High Blood Pressure?

There are two type of hypertension found in the all type of patiemts.

1.   Essential hypertension

2.   Secondary hypertension.

"Secondary hypertension" refers to the case where the high blood pressure is the result of some known factor such as kidney disease. "Essential hypertension" refers to the case where there is no obvious single cause of high blood pressure.

There are many factors that can contribute to essential high blood pressure, the most common of which are lifestyle related. Smoking and high levels of saturated fat intake can both contribute significantly to an elevated level of blood pressure.

If your doctor doesn't identify a particular cause then he or she could well recommend diet and exercise as the best start. Losing some weight, lowering bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and reducing salt intake can assist many people to lower their blood pressure levels. For others the preferred treatment will be medication.

Good and Bad Cholesterol

HDL and LDL

HDL :High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) or called good cholesterol.

LDL :Low-density lioproteins (LDLs) or called Bad cholesterol LDL & HDL cholesterol.

The Possible Effect of Garlic on Cholesterol Levels

Garlic has been reputed to assist the heart for centuries and has been used in herbal medicines for all manner of conditions. Garlic & cholesterol reduction are frequently mentioned together.

Modern medical science suggests one reason garlic might reduce cholesterol: garlic is a proven anti-oxidant. This property might help to prevent LDLs from being oxidised. In this way the cholestrol build-up that clogs the arteries could perhaps be reduced by garlic.

In current modern medicine era numerous scientific studies have been conducted to test the claims that garlic can help lower cholesterol levels. These studies involve measuring the cholesterol and triglyceride levels of patients taking garlic supplements compared with a control group of patients taking a placebo.

Some studies have shown a reduction in total cholesterol levels and/or LDL levels in those taking garlic. Other medical studies have shown no significant difference between the levels of those taking garlic and those taking a placebo. The study concluded that: "None of the forms of garlic used in this study, including raw garlic, when given at an approximate dose of a 4-g clove per day, 6 d/wk for 6 months, had statistically or clinically significant effects on LDL-C or other plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia."

Can Garlic Help?

Garlic is not a substitute for prescription medicine or lifestyle changes, however it has long had a reputation for assisting with blood pressure management. The research data is not conclusive, however it does appear that there is some evidence to support the role of garlic in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

It appears that the reputed beneficial effects of garlic on blood pressure come more from the garlic sulphides than from allicin( medicinal name of garlic preparation. Unlike allicin, garlic sulphides are not destroyed by cooking.

Garlic might also assist blood pressure indirectly by helping to manage cholesterol levels.

Finally, extra garlic can be used as a seasoning, thus reducing the need for salt.

Garlic and Cholesterol

Cholesterol - a white, waxy substance found in the blood plasma - is essential to life. However overly high cholesterol levels can have serious health implications on the cardiovascular system in particular leading to atherosclerosis. Excessive levels can be an indicator of increased risk of heart attack and/or stroke.

If you suspect that you have a cholesterol problem it is essential that you discuss it with your doctor.Whilst all cholesterol was once considered harmful, it is now recognized that it comes in two distinct forms: one "good", the other "bad".

Cholesterol and Garlic: The Verdict Can Garlic Lower Cholesterol Levels?

So, does it work? Whilst some individual studies have shown that garlic can be effective in reducing "bad" cholesterol (LDLs), the overall body of evidence is inconclusive. In particular the 2007 study appears to shed serious doubt on the reality behind garlic's reputation in this area. Thus it would be unwise to draw a definite conclusion that garlic can be used to combat "bad" cholesterol foods.

If you are concerned about elevated cholesterol levels then you should not turn to garlic as an alternative to medical treatment - get advice from your doctor. However if your doctor approves then you might like to consider eating more garlic as part of a balanced diet "just in case". If nothing else it's a tasty alternative to salt.