The chemical that causes garlic to give you bad breath may be the same one that
protects your heart, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University
of Alabama at Birmingham and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
Allicin is produced when garlic is chopped, crushed or chewed. It further breaks down in
the body into a variety of sulfur-containing compounds, some of which cause a strong odor
typically associated with garlic breath. But hydrogen sulfide can also have a
relaxing effect on blood vessels,
lowering blood pressure and decreasing the risk of heart attacks. Lower blood pressure
also allows the blood to carry more oxygen to the body's organs, improving overall health.
Researchers took blood vessels from rats and immersed them in a solution of crushed garlic juice. They observed a 72 percent
reduction of tension in the blood vessels. In addition, red blood cells that were exposed
to small quantities of crushed garlic juice were observed to start giving off hydrogen
sulfide immediately. The researchers found that the chemical reaction causing the emission
of hydrogen sulfide appeared to take place mostly on the surface of the cells.
"Our results suggest garlic in the diet is a very good thing," said lead
researcher David Kraus. "Certainly in areas where garlic consumption is high, such as
the Mediterranean and the Far East, there is a low incidence of cardiovascular
disease."
Garlic is also known for its anti-cancer abilities. Used topically, crushed garlic eats
away cancer tumors on the
skin. Used internally, garlic halts the growth of cancer tumors throughout the body,
functioning as a natural, non-prescription "chemotherapy" agent that has no
negative side effects.
Garlic is strongest in its raw state. The longer garlic is cooked, the more of its healing
phytochemicals are destroyed. To use garlic medicinally, use small amounts of it raw, or
cook it minimally. (naturalnews,
4.04.2008, David Gutierrez | Key concepts: garlic, allicin
and blood vessels) http://www.naturalnews.com/022948.html