Kyolic Garlic Passes Test

. . . lowers systolic blood pressure by as much as 17 mm Hg Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has called uncontrolled high blood pressure “public enemy #2” when it comes to threats to our nation’s health. A major risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and even kidney disease, high blood pressure affects one-third of our population (two-thirds of those over the age of 65), costs our economy an estimated $131 billion in health care costs annually, and contributes to more than 1,000 deaths each and every day. Medications don’t necessarily control high blood pressure, and they produce side effects that make many loathe to take them. Dizziness, nausea, arrhythmias, sexual problems and many other unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms have plagued those who dutifully take these drugs. Yet in a recent study, taking just two capsules of Kyolic garlic daily for four months reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP --the top number) from 6.4 to 17.2 mm Hg, with an average reduction of 11.8 mm Hg! If a drug accomplished this feat, it would be a major headline. Of course there was no multi-million dollar public relations campaign behind this study, so these spectacular results were pretty much unnoticed. The study included 79 patients whose blood pressure-lowering medications were not doing the trick. While continuing to take their medications, they were divided into 4 groups: the first group took a placebo; the second took one capsule containing 240 mg of aged garlic extract; the 3rd group two capsules (480 mg); and the 4th four capsules (960 mg). After four months, SBP in the placebo group remained unchanged. In the group taking one capsule, SBP went down slightly. But in the group taking two capsules, the significant results above were achieved. Results weren’t too much better in the group taking four capsules, and some people reported mild intestinal discomfort at that level. So a two-capsule daily dose was recommended. Although our Kyolic garlic provides slightly more per capsule (300 mg), two capsules is still the recommended dose. Wakunaga, the company that manufactures Kyolic Garlic, has done a terrific job of documenting their garlic’s clinical results with double-blind, placebo-controlled trials like this one. It’s one reason I chose to carry their garlic, which I always recommend to anyone with a heart condition, as well as to anyone dealing with diabetes, immune system problems, the need for mercury detoxification, or weight control. Interestingly, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has also been found to reduce SBP by as much as 17 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP – the bottom number) by up to 10 mm Hg at daily doses of 100-120 mg (Beyond Health recommends 200-300 mg for anyone with heart problems). In the study above, DBP was relatively unaffected by taking garlic. We recommend a holistic approach to lowering blood pressure that involves lifestyle changes along with several different supplements. See my article on diet and hypertension.

Gardner A. CalorMillions of Americans have uncontrolled high blood pressure. HealthDay. September 4, 2012.  Accessed online February 7, 2013 at http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=668335.

United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital signes:  Awareness and treatment of uncontrolled hypertension among adults - United States, 2003-2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. September 7, 2012; 61(35)703-709.  Accessed online February 7, 2013 at http://www.cdc.gove/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6135a3.htm

Ried K. Aged garlic extract reduces blood pressure in hypertensives:  A does-response trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. January 2013; 67(1):64-70.

Rosenfeldt FL. Coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of hypertension:  A meta-analysis of the clinicl trials. Journal of Human Hypertension. 2007; 21(4):297-306.