Saudi researchers perform the first direct comparison of garlic and the drug atenolol.
By Robby Gardner, associate editor
A clinical trial on people with hypertension suggests that garlic can lower blood pressure-perhaps as much as the drug atenolol.
Because conventional blood pressure therapies often require the use of more than one drug, Saudi researchers sought an alternative in garlic. The close relative to onion is repeatedly studied for blood pressure support, but results have been inconsistent-maybe because of short durations of studies.
For 24 weeks, more than 200 subjects with high blood pressure were assigned to consume garlic (300, 600, 900, 1200, or 1500 mg), atenolol, or placebo daily. Researchers monitored for changes in diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and, by week 24, blood pressure significantly improved with garlic use. Garlic supported improvements in a dose-dependent and duration-dependent manner, and it even reached improvements that were comparable to the drug use.
The researchers say this is the first study to directly compare garlic to atenolol in hypertensive subjects.
How garlic may influence blood pressure is unclear, but the researchers speculate it has to do with garlic’s ability to produce hydrogen sulphide, its high allicin content, or its influence on nitric oxide production.
Meta-analysis does not find increased risk of bleeding events from omega-3 PUFA consumption
July 8th 2024Researchers reviewed 11 studies and found that there was no difference in the incidence of bleeding events between patients receiving omega-3 PUFAs and those not receiving them. High dose EPA consumption was associated with an elevated but modest risk.
Recent review states that pentadecanoic acid may support cellular stability for better longevity
June 25th 2024According to the paper’s author, Stephanie Venn-Watson, DVM, MPH, deficiency in pentadecanoic acid of ≤0.2% total circulating fatty acids increases the risk of ferroptosis, which a type of cell death cause by the peroxidation of fragile fatty acids in cell membranes that combines with iron thus increasing reactive oxygen species, and disabling mitochondria.
Recent review makes the case for testing omega-3 fatty acid levels in humans
May 23rd 2024The article commissioned by The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) reviewed the state of omega-3 fatty acid testing, highlighting the value of testing and the commercially available options for diagnostic testing.
Epax launches concentrated oil that combines omegas 3, 9, and 11
May 10th 2024The blend of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids combines the heart and brain health benefits of omegas-3s with the skin and metabolic health benefits of omegas 9 and 11.