( 1 reviews )
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( 5 of 5 found this review helpful ) Posted: Sep 20 2005
Kyolic brand garlic is a top-seller and is proven in terms of its freshness and effectiveness. I highly recommend this product, as it is reasonably priced and has a potent dose of garlic! People use garlic to prevent plaque buildup on the arteries, improve high blood pressure, reduce coughs, colds, bronchitis, and even pneumonia. The antibiotic activity of one milligram of allicin (the active ingredient in garlic), equals 15 units of penicillin. It is an extremely effective, broad-spectrum antibiotic, killing gram negative and gram positive. Garlic's use has been proven to destroy many types of bacteria. In studies, garlic has also been shown to be effective against parasites. Some studies show promise in using garlic to treat children's ear infections. Studies are mixed, but several have found garlic to slightly lower blood pressure. Garlic remedies have also been used to treat cancer, the common cold, diabetes, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and more. Garlic is best eaten raw (although most folks will not take the raw form due tot he smell) and the most potent garlic preparations are the ones made at home. Although raw garlic is the most potent, most folks who take garlic take it in supplemental form. The average dose for supplementation is 500 - 1,000 mg/day. Dosages for children under the age of 16 have not been determined. Garlic is considered to have very low toxicity and is listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States. Side effects from garlic include upset stomach, bloating, bad breath, body odor, and a stinging sensation on the skin from handling too much fresh or dried garlic. Handling garlic may also cause the appearance of skin lesions. Other side effects that have been reported by those taking garlic supplements include headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches, dizziness described as vertigo (namely, the room spinning), and allergies such as an asthmatic reaction or contact dermatitis (skin rash). Garlic has blood-thinning properties so people with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or platelet disorders, should not use garlic supplements or medicinal doses of garlic. This is also important to know if you are going to have surgery or deliver a baby. Too much garlic can increase your risk for bleeding during or after those procedures. Garlic is best taken each day with a meal. Jim "Konedog" Koenig
