Garlic has been used as a flavoring in food and for the treatment of diseases for centuries, in fact for about 5000 years. The healing power of garlic is mentioned in Egyptian papyri, inscriptions in India and among the recommendations of Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine. This issue, which has been constantly discussed since the ancient times of history, is still on the agenda today and is one of the top topics that patients ask their doctors. Now let's try to clarify this issue.
Garlic is an important part of the onion family. Herbs in this group, and garlic in particular, have some proven benefits. The positive effects of garlic and garlic pills are due to the "allicin" substance they contain. Allicin can be effective against microbes and can also be beneficial to the body as an antioxidant. At the same time, allicin is also responsible for the unique smell of garlic.
Now, let's briefly explain the benefits of garlic and the substances it contains. They increase good cholesterol, lower total cholesterol, and help prevent vascular occlusion by affecting blood clotting. It also has properties that widen the veins. Some studies also suggest that garlic reduces arteriosclerosis. There are also publications showing that they are effective against some microbes. People use medicines made from garlic for many diseases. However, these diseases will not be mentioned here as they are out of our scope.
Now let's talk about the effect of garlic on hypertension. The effect of garlic on hypertension has been discussed and continues to be discussed not only in our country but all over the world. So how does this effect occur? Researchers on this subject suggest that it has its effect on hypertension by widening the vessels and reducing the effect of angiotensin II, a substance that plays a role in high blood pressure. However, its mechanism of action is not fully known. The positive effect of garlic on high blood pressure is very controversial. There are opposing views on this issue. In recent years, analyzes have revealed its positive effect on high blood pressure. The views on this have started to gain more weight.
It is claimed that garlic is more effective on systolic blood pressure and has less effect on diastolic blood pressure. But these views are not accepted by everyone and it is said that it has no effect against high blood pressure.
Research claiming that it has a positive effect on hypertension are mostly short-term studies. Its effect in long-term use is not fully known. The results of studies saying that it has a positive effect should not be exaggerated. The results obtained in these studies showed that there was a slight decrease compared to drug-like pseudo-drugs.
Now let's talk about how garlic is used. Garlic is used raw, freshly cooked, in the form of oil, in powder form and in the form of juice obtained by soaking garlic. The substances that are effective in all of these forms may differ from each other. Therefore, all these ways of using garlic for its effect on hypertension need to be investigated. A significant portion of the studies on garlic have been conducted using garlic that has been turned into oil or powder and put into pill form.
Does garlic have no side effects? Yes there is. Let's explain them now. It is claimed that when raw garlic is cooked, the allicin substance in it breaks down and its effect is lost. Allicin is a molecule that breaks down quickly. In mixtures prepared by waiting, it also breaks down and its effect is lost. Then it may be thought that it would be better to eat it raw to be effective. However, it has been reported that it causes stomach and intestinal complaints and allergic reactions when eaten raw. There are also reports that eating high amounts of raw garlic reduces the number of red blood cells, an important element of the blood. So it can also cause anemia. I don't need to explain the smell created by raw garlic. The smell of garlic is enough to make a person unattractive in society.
Now let's talk about the side effects of garlic pills. of these pills The most important side effects are seen on the gastrointestinal system. In short, they are said to cause a lot of burping, gas formation in the stomach and intestines, and reflux. Side effects appear mild in approximately one-third of those who use these pills, and can be very severe in 4-6%.
I would also like to talk about the interactions of garlic and garlic drugs with other drugs; It is suggested that they interact weakly and negligibly with blood thinners, antidiabetics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, it is recommended not to use high dose garlic treatment together with blood thinners. What is this limit? For fresh garlic, over 4 grams (one clove of garlic) and for pills, over 3 mg of allicin in it have been reported as dangerous limits.
What should be the dosage of garlic pills to be effective in high blood pressure? There is no full consensus on this issue either. Daily doses between 600 mg and 2500 mg are recommended. But as we said above, it should be kept in mind that drug interactions increase in high doses and may be dangerous.
Now, after this short explanation, let's come to the frequently asked questions. Should we really use garlic as medicine? As I explained above, the effect of raw garlic disappears when it is cooked. Then it should be eaten raw. So, can you eat fresh garlic every day? How will you endure this diet? Come on, you endured it, how will your surroundings tolerate the smell emanating from you? Maybe they won't say anything to your face, but after a while you'll see people slowly moving away from your surroundings. Think of mixtures prepared from garlic in this way. Can these mixtures be taken every day? It doesn't make any sense to me.
I'll give you an example from my medical life. One day a patient came to me. He ate so much garlic that everyone in the hall threw him out. Moreover, his blood pressure was 220/130 mmHg, that is, his systolic blood pressure was twenty-two and his diastolic blood pressure was thirteen. This patient had the most severe form of hypertension and had been trying to lower his blood pressure by eating garlic three times a day for a week. u. Will it work? The patient was endangering his life out of fear of medication, and was becoming an unattractive person in his social circle. Of course, it did not help this patient at all. I immediately started medication for the patient, and in a short time his blood pressure returned to normal limits.
Let's talk a little about garlic pills. Do some research and you'll see how expensive they are. Moreover, their effects are controversial and they have been shown to cause very little reduction in high blood pressure. Its side effects are not few either. You will be disturbed by gas in unexpected places.
You will constantly need to burp and if you have reflux, your complaints will increase. Is it worth taking these pills? It's even worse if you're taking blood thinners. They may interact and increase the side effects of these medications, leading to serious bleeding.
I give this advice to my patients. “You can eat garlic, but only if you take blood pressure medication. Just think about your surroundings and take precautions accordingly. Let's see how long you and your surroundings will last. However, I will give you a pill that has no side effects and has a proven blood pressure lowering effect. You will get it every day. Both you and those around you will have peace of mind. Isn't it more correct?"
We occasionally monitor patients whose blood pressure rises slightly and who have a clinical picture we call "white coat hypertension", even without medication. There is no harm in taking garlic or garlic pills for these people. But consult a physician. If you have started taking medication, you should definitely take it and not rely on garlic.
As a final word, if you want to take garlic or its pill, be sure to consult your doctor. At least ask about its interaction with the medications you use. Sometimes little advice can save you from serious troubles.
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