Garlic a Day, Keeps the Doctors Away

Low faith in your immune system?

Always that person getting sick? A raw clove a day for a few months boosts your immune cell activity and cuts down on the intensity of colds and flu symptoms. Basically, when a ‘sickness’ first enters your body, macrophages are the first responders neutralizing the threat. Then your natural killer cells are the assassins hunting down infected cells before things escalate, and lymphocytes are the strategists that take note of everything to be better next time. Garlic has been shown to stimulate all of these cell types at once, while also boosting their ability to communicate with each other. Garlic also increases the number and activity of natural killer cells, making your body more capable of defending itself. 

Garlic also contains fructooligosaccharides (quite a mouthful), these are natural compounds that feed the good bacteria in your colon. And, about 70% of your immune system lives in your gut! Not a drug. Not a $30 Whole Foods supplement. Just a clove a day. 

Skin frustrations like acne, warts, mystery rash?

In a study of 50 patients, a garlic-based extract applied twice daily completely cleared warts. For acne, garlic attacks the bacteria (ROOT CAUSE) actually driving your breakouts. Garlic detoxifies your body, rather than some topical cream intended to minimize your skin’s visible reaction to said bacteria. Note, garlic extract or powder is significantly more expensive and less potent than a store bought bulb!

Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne aren’t really a skin problem; but, rather an inflammation problem making itself known via your skin. When your body is in an inflammatory state causing flare ups; there are bad enzymes actively breaking down collagen and skin structure. Compounds in garlic have been shown to stop these enzymes from going rogue. 

“Inflammation” aka nobody can really explain what is going on.

You feel that low-grade puffiness or stiffness in your bones. Your body has these signaling molecules called cytokines, these directly control levels of inflammation. They start firing off inflammatory messages non-stop and you feel every message somewhere, even when there’s no real threat. Garlic compounds have been shown to directly modulate that cytokine activity, essentially telling it to calm down. 

Initial blood pressure concerns from your doctor? 

You’re not on medication yet. But you’re trending that way and you both know it. People eating raw garlic at least twice a day showed 31% lower odds of prehypertension. A separate study showed significant drops in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after just four weeks. And, adding more plants to your diet and reducing meat consumption definitely wouldn’t hurt. 

Your cholesterol is “a little high” 

Garlic has been shown to nudge up your HDL (the good stuff) and bring down LDL. Garlic in research appears to interfere with the enzymes your liver uses to produce cholesterol in the first place. Statins (the drug your doctor will bring up) work by blocking that same enzyme pathway. But, taking Statin likely comes at the cost of severe muscle pain, cramps, muscle stiffness, and a whole lot more. Garlic doesn’t have a long list of adverse side effects. 

Quick note, taking garlic with lemon water had even more significant reductions in both total cholesterol and blood pressure. 

You feel gross or dizzy after eating a meal? 

An inexplicable 3pm fatigue. If you’re in the pre-diabetic or insulin-resistant zone, which a lot of people are without knowing it, garlic has been shown to increase your body’s antioxidant capacity and reduce fasting blood glucose. Allicin, the active compound in raw garlic, has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity, meaning it helps your cells actually respond to insulin and absorb glucose properly. Studies on type 2 diabetes patients showed measurable reductions in fasting blood glucose starting as early as two weeks of taking raw garlic.

Lady Issues

Recurring yeast infections or BV that keeps coming back? Garlic’s anti-fungal compounds hit the same pathways as some OTC treatments, and studies back it up for reducing vaginitis symptoms. Recurring infections are often a sign that bad bacteria is the dominant player. Garlic feeds the good bacteria, which is a lot cheaper than another round of Diflucan and a prayer. And interestingly enough, women who eat garlic regularly have shown lower rates of depressive symptoms!

Ugh, is cancer going to get us all?

A seven-year study following 6,000 people found garlic to actively interfere with the early cellular chaos that leads to cancer (via neutralizing free radicals, blocking DNA damage, slowing abnormal cell growth). Watch that video under ‘Western Medicine’ to see this science in action. 

Garlic compounds trigger cell death in cancer cells, block tumor growth signals, and enhance the activity of natural killer cells (your body’s first-line defense against abnormal cells).  One study even found an association between regular garlic consumption and reduced rates of colon cancer in women. This isn’t garlic curing cancer, but it can make your body less susceptible and more prepared to fight back.