Which garlic supplement is best?
Consumers commonly use garlic supplements to relieve symptoms of various heart conditions. This vegetable bulb contains a chemical called allicin, which has been shown to have particular benefits for those suffering from blood and heart conditions.
The health benefits of garlic have been widely known for centuries, dating back to the Egyptians and Romans who utilized the medicinal properties of garlic.
Garlic is known to have many health benefits, but the downside has always been its powerful odor that leads to bad breath. Most garlic supplements have alleviated those concerns while making it easier and more convenient to get the daily requirement of garlic required to experience these health benefits.
What to know before you buy a garlic supplement
Ingredients
As with anything you plan on ingesting, reading the ingredients list is essential when buying supplements. Garlic supplements tend to use a combination of ingredients that give your body a health boost and prevent your breath from smelling garlicky. Allium sativum is an ingredient in most garlic supplements that is found in the garlic bulb itself. This is the ingredient that can help those with high blood pressure.
Occasionally, a supplement will add a few vitamins to the ingredients list. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that is created during photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is commonly used in garlic supplements to neutralize the strong odor and mask any garlic taste.
Types
Powdered garlic capsules are the most natural and easiest to ingest. Semi-distilled garlic oil capsules often include sulfur, which can be good for the body. Aged garlic extract takes a very long time to make due to the aging process, but is quite potent. Garlic oil macerate is a combination of crushed garlic and vegetable oil you can add to meals.
Benefits
Some medical professionals prescribe this supplement to those with high cholesterol, some gum diseases and gingivitis. Garlic supplements may boost the immune system and help with overall cardiovascular health.
Taken consistently, garlic has been shown to prevent cardiovascular issues, such as high blood pressure, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
What to look for in a quality garlic supplement
Odor fighters
Some supplements contain additional ingredients to combat the smell. Parsley is used for this as it can help lessen both the odor and the taste. Chlorophyll is another ingredient in garlic supplements due to its odor-masking abilities.
Allicin and sulfides
Sulfides are not as strong as allicin, but are far more stable and can help regulate the body’s circulation and cholesterol levels. When choosing a garlic supplement, find one that contains both allicin and sulfides for effectiveness.
Amount of allicin
No one wants to walk into work smelling like garlic, but unfortunately, that odor is a sign your supplement is effective and that it contains allicin. Some garlic supplements do not contain allicin.
Oil vs. extract
Both garlic extract and garlic oil are available in supplement form. Garlic extract is aged garlic that is diluted in alcohol for up to 20 months, which retains the nutrients of garlic. Meanwhile, garlic oil is produced by distilling raw garlic and diluting it in vegetable oil.
How much you can expect to spend on a garlic supplement
When considering any garlic supplement, it’s important to consider the number of supplements per container, the number of supplements that make up a serving and the potency because that can vary significantly between brands and individual products.
Some products cost as little as $0.03 per supplement and can go up to $0.30, with the average being around $0.10 per supplement, roughly between $10-$15 a bottle. Remember that natural products and those with additional ingredients will cost a little bit more.
Garlic supplement FAQ
Is a garlic supplement as good as fresh garlic?
A. Fresh garlic provides you with a higher dosage of allicin, but it is harder to get an estimate of how much you are ingesting each time. The effectiveness of the garlic also depends on how it has been prepared. Crushed garlic, for example, provides far more allicin than if it were sliced. Fresh garlic gives inconsistent levels of allicin and also is a lot harder to ingest on a regular basis.
Is raw garlic good for you?
A. Raw garlic is good for you and contains large quantities of allicin compared to a supplement. The only issue is that it is more challenging to regulate how much allicin you ingest every time you eat raw garlic.
Best garlic supplements
Nutricost Garlic 1000mg, 240 Softgels
This is a gluten-free garlic supplement manufactured to boost cardiovascular health. They must be taken with food.
Sourced from pure, organically grown non-GMO garlic, this product supports digestion, inflammation and detoxification. It is available in bottles of 100, 200 and 300 capsules. It’s free of sodium, preservatives, yeast, sugar, gluten and any artificial flavors or colors.
Happi Mi Nutrition Organic Garlic Capsules
These quick-release capsules have an odorless formula. You get 100 capsules in a bottle, offering 2,500 mg of garlic per serving. They’re made using organic California-grown garlic and come in vegan-friendly capsules.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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