Garlic
(Allium sativum)

General Info

Active Forms

Absorption

Dietary Sources

Dosage Info

Dosage Range 400mg (standardized extract), 2 times a day, equivalent to 1200mg of fresh garlic OR 10mg of alliin providing 4mg of total allicin potential (TAP), daily; also, 600mg (standardized, aged extract), 1-3 times a day. Most Common Dosage 400mg (standardized extract), 2 times a day equivalent to 1200mg of fresh garlic OR 10mg of alliin providing 4mg of total allicin potential (TAP), daily; also 600mg (standardized, aged extract), 2 times a day. Dosage Forms		Adult RDI Adult ODA

Overview

Interactions

Drug/Herb Interactions
•	Antihypertensive medications
•	Antihyperlipidemic medications
•	Anticoagulant medications
•	Antiplatelet medications
•	saquinavir

By 1996, there were over 1800 scientific studies that reported on the uses of garlic, and the studies continue to be performed.(1) One of the biggest concerns about garlic is whether it is still active by the time it gets to the shelf for purchase. It is important to select a garlic product that guarantees potency. Raw garlic is more potent than cooked garlic, because heat inactivates the enzyme allinase. Allinase gives garlic its odor and stimulates the formation of allicin. There are odorless garlic preparations, which provide alliin, a precursor to allicin. Alliin is converted (to some extent) to allicin in the body and allows for activity without the characteristic scent. Ethnocultural studies have shown that cultures with a high garlic intake have an inverse relationship to their cultures' cancer rates.(2)

Toxicities & Precautions

General
No toxicity is reported in recommended dosages.(3) It is not recommended that large doses of garlic be ingested over a long period of time.(4)

Side Effects
Some individuals may experience GI distress or irritation when beginning use.(5)

Odorless garlic products are available for those requiring less residual smell from the garlic bulb.

Pregnancy/Breast-Feeding
If pregnant or nursing, consult a physician before use.

Age Limitations
Do not use in children under 2 years of age unless recommended by a physician.

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Footnotes

¹ Blumenthal M, et al. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:139-148.
² Dorant E, et al. Garlic and Its Significance for the Prevention of Cancer in Humans: A Critical View. Br J Cancer. 1993;67:424-29.
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³ Nakagawa S, et al. Acute Toxicity Test of Garlic Extract. J Toxicol Sci. 1984;9:155-69.
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⁴ Rakel: Conn's Current Therapy 2001, 53rd ed. W B Saunders Company; 2001:1267.
⁵ Berthold HK, Sudhop T, von Bergmann K. Effect of garlic oil preparation on serum lipoproteins and cholesterol metabolism: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. Nov1998;279(23):1900-2.
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Garlic(Allium sativum)

Garlic
(Allium sativum)