Garlic in clinical practice: an evidence-based overview.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to comprehensively evaluate the clinical utility of garlic by analyzing systematic reviews on its effects across various health conditions.
Results Summary
Garlic was found to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients but not in normotensive subjects. Evidence on lipid parameters, cancer risk reduction, antiglycemic effects, and cardiovascular outcomes was inconclusive or insufficient.
Population
Hypertensive patients, normotensive subjects, and general populations in various health contexts.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
garlic | decrease | blood pressure (BP) | hypertensive patients and patients with elevated systolic BP (SBP) | - | can reduce | #1 |
garlic | no change | blood pressure (BP) | normotensive subjects | - | not in | #2 |
garlic | neutral | total cholesterol (TC) | - | - | cannot make a decision whether garlic is effective enough for reducing | #3 |
garlic | neutral | triglycerides (TAG) | - | - | cannot make a decision whether garlic is effective enough for reducing | #4 |
garlic | neutral | high-density lipoprotein (HDL) | - | - | cannot make a decision whether garlic is effective enough for reducing | #5 |
garlic intake | neutral | all kinds of cancers | - | - | relations between garlic intake and reduced risks were unclear | #6 |
garlic | neutral | glycemic control | - | - | antiglycemic effects of garlic were unclear | #7 |
garlic | neutral | thrombosis | - | - | antithrombotic effects of garlic were unclear | #8 |
garlic | neutral | cardiovascular morbidity and mortality | - | - | effects of garlic on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were unclear | #9 |
garlic | neutral | common cold | - | - | could not be recommended as a preventative or treatment option | #10 |
garlic | neutral | peripheral arterial occlusive disease | - | - | could not be recommended as a preventative or treatment option | #11 |
garlic | neutral | pre-eclampsia and its complications | - | - | could not be recommended as a preventative or treatment option | #12 |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Garlic has been widely used in clinical practice, and there were many systematic reviews (SRs) describing its effects. But none reviewed the clinical utility comprehensively, so we aimed to evaluate its effects from every aspect of its effects. METHODS: We comprehensively searched medical electronic databases, asked the experts in this field, along with reference tracking, and manual searching. We included all kinds of SRs, including Cochrane SRs and non-Cochrane SRs. Two authors independently selected articles for relevant SRs, and extracted data of included SRs, resolved differences by consultation with a third reviewer. RESULTS: We described nine SRs about garlic. Available evidence showed that garlic can reduce blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients and patients with elevated systolic BP (SBP), but not in normotensive subjects. Evidence about the effects of garlic on lipid parameters was contentious, so we cannot make a decision whether garlic is effective enough for reducing total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TAG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). As evidence was very limited and insufficient, relations between garlic intake and reduced risks of all kinds of cancers, antiglycemic and antithrombotic effects of garlic, the effects of garlic on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were unclear. Garlic as a preventative or treatment option for the common cold or peripheral arterial occlusive disease or pre-eclampsia and its complications could not be recommended, as only one relatively small trial evaluated the effects separately. CONCLUSIONS: Garlic might be effective in some areas of clinical practice, but the evidence levels were low, so further researches should be well designed using rigorous method to avoid potential biases.