Since the 1990’s, studies have shown that garlic has a unique ability to lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body. When taken with other supplements and alongside a healthy diet, garlic can be a great aid to lowering your cholesterol. However, it is important to understand the dosage and side effects before thinking about adding this to your daily regime. Here is an overview that you should understand before going out and buying your garlic supplement.
How Garlic Helps to Lower High Cholesterol
Though the results vary with each person, garlic can effectively lower cholesterol levels by as much as 12%, especially if it is taken with other types of natural health supplements, such as red yeast rice extract. Garlic works by decreasing the total amount of cholesterol and cholesterol based triglycerides that are in the body. The results are the most noticeable after one to three months of taking it continuously. However, if a person stops taking the garlic, then the cholesterol will likely return to its previous levels.
Understanding the Dosage
The amount of garlic that needs to be taken regularly depends greatly on how high their cholesterol levels are. And the more garlic that a person takes, the lower their cholesterol levels tend to be. Some people might need more or less of it, so it is best to check with a naturopath to determine the best exact dosage. The supplement can lower total cholesterol levels by as much as 20 mg/dL, but this requires taking a hefty dose of it, which is not recommended for everyone.
The Side Effects
Garlic is one of the best natural supplements for heart health because it does not cause any adverse side effects for the most part. However, if too much is taken by one person, it can damage the liver, so it is best to follow the directions on the bottle to prevent any adverse effects. Larger doses can also cause an stomach upset.
Garlic as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Luckily, you don’t have to eat a diet of strictly italian food to keep your heart healthy. This flavorful ingredient can be purchased in a capsule form that is easy to take at your leisure. Many people prefer this option because taking garlic in this form prevents the bad breath that is common from eating it raw. This supplement works the most effectively when it is included with a healthy diet because it is hard to lower cholesterol levels if the food that a person eats is full of cholesterol as well. Junk foods and fatty cuts of meat should be limited as much as possible. Besides eating right, exercise is also important because it contributes to having a healthy heart and vascular system.
