Dr. Karin Ried Garlic Decreases High Cholesterol Interview

Dr. Karin Ried Garlic Decreases High Cholesterol Interview

New research, led by Dr. Karin Ried of The University of Adelaide and the National Institute of Integrative Medicine and, has found garlic supplements can reduce cholesterol in those with elevated levels by 8 per cent. This 8 per cent reduction is significant as it is associated with a 38 per cent decrease in the risk of coronary events for those at 50 years of age.

The research, released in the May issue of Nutrition Reviews, follows Dr. Ried's 2012 research which found Aged Garlic Extract reduces blood pressure by a degree comparable to frontline pharmaceutical medications. The research offers hope to those not responding to frontline medications, or who would prefer a natural therapy.

'The results of this study are really exciting for the 6.4 million Australians who have high cholesterol, and especially those who are making lifestyle changes to bring their levels down before resorting to prescription medications," said Dr. Ried.

'No one should change their current treatment plan or stop taking their medication without consulting their doctor. However this research - along with my previous research on Aged Garlic Extract - shows garlic and particularly Aged Garlic Extract, could be a safe and effective alternative to pharmaceutical blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications for many people".

The research is the most comprehensive to date (a meta-analysis of 39 primary trials) on the heart health benefits of garlic supplements. The results suggest garlic supplements to be effective in reducing total serum cholesterol by 17 +/- 6 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 9 +/- 6 mg/dL in individuals with elevated cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dL) if taken for at least two months.

The research also found garlic supplements to be associated with minimal side effects in comparison to the potentially debilitating side effects of the commonly used pharmaceutical -statins' which include muscular pain, memory loss, sexual dysfunction and an increased risk of diabetes.

'I think it is important for Australians to remember that our bodies need some cholesterol to function and that a combination of high blood pressure, high -bad' cholesterol and age, are all contributors to heart disease," continued Dr. Ried.

'However in my opinion, for those experiencing slightly elevated levels of cholesterol, changes to lifestyle and proven natural heart health supplements such as Aged Garlic Extract, should be a first-option treatment ahead of frontline pharmaceutical medications".

This research has been supported by the Australian Government Primary Health Care Research and Evaluation (PHCRED) Program.

Interview with Dr. Karin Ried

Dr. Karin Ried - Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide, and Research Director at the National Institute of Integrative Medicine.

Question: What role does garlic consumption play in regards to high cholesterol?

Dr. Karin Ried: We undertook a meta-analysis including primary trials where we were able to summaries the effect of garlic supplements on cholesterol; we found that garlic supplements can reduce cholesterol by approximately 8% which is clinically important because it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 38% in the age range of 50 years.


Question: What does this mean for other age groups?

Dr. Karin Ried: If people are older or younger than 50 years old it can reduce the risk, differently.


Question: What inspired you to begin the research?

Dr. Karin Ried: I have been interested in nutritional medicine for a long time and have been able to conduct research in this area over the last six years. It begun with natural medicines for heart health including research with garlic, chocolate and tomato extract – out of the three garlic is the most potent in terms of blood pressure reduction and in terms of cholesterol. We published a study a couple of years ago where we found that a mixture of tomatoes and garlic is very good for your cholesterol.


Question: Why did you use garlic supplements?

Dr. Karin Ried: There are a number of different garlic supplements including garlic powder, garlic oil or Aged Garlic Extract. The Aged Garlic Extract was used in a previous clinical trial where we looked at blood pressure and Aged Garlic Extract showed it could also reduce blood pressure similarly to certain medications. Aged Garlic Extract is very effective for blood pressure, it is odourless and you only have to take two tablets a day which is why it is the supplement of choice, if you want to have an effect on other parts of your health and risk factors, as well. In addition garlic is really good for the immune system.

There were 39 primary trials and three of those looked at raw garlic but as you can imagine it was trickier especially as you need to be in control of raw garlic dosages because if you take a too high dosage you may run the risk of having a toxic effect which is not the case with a garlic powder or Aged Garlic Extract.


Question: What are the advantages of garlic supplements over cholesterol lowering drugs?

Dr. Karin Ried: We'd like to inform that cholesterol is needed in the body; it's not all bad as cholesterol is needed to make Vitamin D, to produce the steroid hormones and to have good membranes for absorption. If you completely block the cholesterol with medication then you can run into a lot of problems.


Question: What are the side effects of pharmaceutical -statins'?
Dr. Karin Ried: 17% of people on statins have side effects including muscular pain, memory loss, sexual dysfunction and also can increased risk of diabetes. Using statins can cause a lot more harm than good. If cholesterol levels are only slightly elevated it is better to look at other methods of creating a healthier balance of fats and cholesterol in the body.


Question: What are the advantages of garlic supplements over cholesterol lowering drugs?

Dr. Karin Ried: What we can learn from the study is because our body needs cholesterol and if you completely block the synthesis you have troubles. Aged Garlic Extract is a more balanced way of keeping the bad cholesterol in check and helping the body absorb the good cholesterol.


Question: How much and for how long do we need to consume garlic supplements before seeing a result?

Dr. Karin Ried: With cholesterol you have to take the supplement for at least, two months and it takes a little longer to see an effect. Our meta-analysis looks at several groups; the group that took garlic for less than two months didn't see the effect. There were a number of different garlic supplements used which is why it is tricky to pin point the recommended dose however in regards to Aged Garlic Extract, two - four capsules are needed, daily.


Question: Should garlic supplements be used in conjunction with cholesterol lowering drugs?

Dr. Karin Ried: The studies had people not on cholesterol lowering drugs but in terms of taking garlic supplements in addition to other medication we gave people garlic supplements in addition to blood pressure medication and there was no problem whatsoever. Often garlic is associated with increased risk of bleeding and people on Warfarin should not take garlic supplements but that's not the case with Aged Garlic Extract and there have been studies conducted with high levels of Aged Garlic Extract and people on Warfarin and there was no increased risk of bleeding. The Aged Garlic Extract seems to be very safe in addition to other medication.

I believe the way forward would be to move away from taking statins because often there are huge impacts on people's lives including 17% having major side effects. If the cholesterol is elevated it would be better to resort to lifestyle and dietary changes than medication. Statins should be reserved for people who have very high levels of cholesterol and where there is an immediate danger.


Interview by Brooke Hunter