Does garlic really prevent disease?

Garlic has been widely used to treat and prevent diseases throughout history. Recent studies have evaluated the potential benefits of garlic, including its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities.

Mechanism of action

Allicin is the main active compound in garlic, responsible for most of its antibacterial activity. It is effective against a variety of bacterial strains, including multidrug resistant strains.

Allicin kills bacteria by blocking enzymes essential for energy production (alcohol dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA synthase, and acetate kinase) to maintain cell structure.

In addition, allicin can prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi by blocking the formation of biofilms. Most persistent infections in the human body originate from biofilms. It is of great significance to block the formation of biofilms.

Antibacterial

In 60 patients who received 14 days of treatment, allicin alone or in combination with standard antibiotics helped 34 patients eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection. However, in 2 trials conducted on 17 people, garlic was not effective against this infection.

In addition, in a clinical trial of 75 healthy people, a garlic extract mouthwash reduced the level of oral Streptococcus mutans.

* Streptococcus mutans has the characteristics of secreting acidic substances to corrode tooth enamel, and is one of the main cariogenic bacteria in humans.

Garlic extract may help treat swollen gums and prevent tooth decay because they can kill oral pathogens in the test tube.

For example: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

It also improves the effectiveness of other antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the test tube. However, in a clinical trial of 34 people, it failed to prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa from forming biofilms in lung tissue scars.

In addition to killing Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, garlic extract can also protect the body from harm by reducing the production of bacterial toxins (such as α-toxin and streptolysin O).

Fungus resistance

Allicin can inhibit the germination of spores and the growth of fungi (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in the test tube.

Candida can infect the oral mucosa and cause inflammatory diseases called dentures or oral candidiasis. In 2 clinical trials conducted on 96 people with this disease, garlic extract (used as a mouthwash or toothpaste) showed similar effects to the antifungal drugs nystatin and clotrimazole.

In a clinical trial of 110 women, garlic extract tablets (Garcin) are as effective as fluconazole in improving the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis. However, another formula (allicin) was ineffective in a trial of 63 infected but asymptomatic women.

In two clinical trials conducted on 81 people, another ingredient in garlic, Ajoene (0.4-1% cream), killed the fungus that causes tinea pedis.

Virus resistance

Garlic extract is also effective against influenza virus and herpes virus (simple 1, 2 and 3).

In 2 clinical trials of 146 healthy adults and 172 children, using a garlic supplement containing allicin (1 capsule per day for 12 weeks) can prevent the common cold and shorten the duration of symptoms.

side effect

Garlic may cause nausea, heartburn, and bad breath.

★ Summary ★

Garlic is effective for tooth decay/gum disease, oral candidiasis, athlete's foot and the common cold.