Garlic, loved by many for adding a unique taste and aroma to food, is one of the most famous herbs around the world. It holds an important place in history, and ancient civilizations valued it for its culinary and medicinal uses. Case in point – garlic was part of the military diet of the ancient Greeks, and soldiers were often given garlic before going into battle.One
Studies have proven the health-enhancing benefits of garlic due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and antioxidant activities. research2,three,4 It also supports the notion that this humble herb has anti-cancer properties, which is reason enough to include more of it in your diet.
Garlic contains powerful anticancer phytochemicals
Study published in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy5 We highlight how new phytochemicals in garlic may help prevent cancer. According to the author:
“Cancer researchers have confirmed that many of the phytochemicals in garlic have anticancer effects. Recently, we discovered that some components of garlic have novel therapeutic anticancer properties.
“This review discusses the anticancer mechanisms of garlic phytochemicals, demonstrating their potential for cancer treatment compared to existing chemoprevention agents.”
Researchers noted that garlic's organosulfur compounds (OSC) are responsible for its health benefits. These OSCs can be divided into two types: fat-soluble compounds and water-soluble compounds.
Alliin, allicin, and ajoene are fat-soluble organosulfur compounds found in garlic. Allicin is the main sulfur compound and gives foods their spicy flavor. Crushing or chopping garlic releases a compound called alliinase, which converts alliin to allicin.
Researchers have shown that water-soluble organosulfur compounds, namely S-allylcysteine (SAC) and S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), and their metabolites allyl mercaptan (AM) and allyl methyl sulfide (AMS) are what give garlic its anticancer properties. I noticed that it was a compound. Even though it only accounts for a small portion of garlic's compounds.
“SAC is an odorless, stable, water-soluble compound with antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering effects in clinical studies. Previous results have shown that SAC acts as an effective agent against malignant progression of human non-small cell lung carcinoma in vitro and in in vivo models. ,” Researchers take note.6
Study highlights garlic's mechanism of action against cancer
The biological effects of garlic against cancer have been demonstrated in animal and human studies, and researchers note that garlic has specific actions against different stages of cancer.7
“Blocking phytochemicals at the early stage prevents bioactivation of carcinogens through antioxidant, antimutagenic and detoxifying properties. Inhibiting phytochemicals at the promoting stage promotes clonal cell proliferation by regulating protein folding and DNA repair. It is suppressed.
“Inhibiting phytochemicals at advanced stages disrupts tumor growth or metastasis by altering cell behavior, including anti-proliferation, apoptosis and immunocompetence.”
To make it easier to understand, here's a summary of the role garlic plays in helping prevent the spread and progression of cancer in the body:8
- Mutagenesis inhibition Or prevent DNA mutations that can increase your risk of cancer.
- Free radical removal It damages healthy cells.
- Enzyme activity regulationIt is essential for body function.
- Inhibits protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum.This is part of a cell.
- influence the behavior of cancer cells, That is, it prevents cells from growing quickly, making them more susceptible to apoptosis (cancer cell death) and easier to detect by the immune system.
Researchers explained that treating cancer becomes more difficult as tumor cells spread throughout the body. Through its compounds, garlic blocks signaling pathways necessary for cell migration and may help prevent the spread of tumor cells.
“We thought we had discovered that garlic components not only have a function in cancer chemoprevention but also have efficacy in cancer treatment.” they said9
Garlic helps suppress recurrence by targeting cancer stem cells
Another study published in the International Journal of Herbal Medicine10 Garlic also targets cancer stem cells (CSCs), showing it may help prevent cancer recurrence. These are cells found within tumors that can renew themselves and turn into more cancerous cells.
Conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, cannot eliminate these stem cells. Even if the tumor is removed, these CSCs may remain and metastasize and spread.
Researchers performed in vitro tests using three types of garlic extract against different types of cancer cells, including breast, colon, prostate, colon, liver, and cervical cancer. The extracts were made from fresh garlic cloves and all showed anticancer potential, but the third extract (G3), made from an evaporated mixture of fresh cloves and ethanol, showed the greatest anticancer activity. According to the study authors:11
“Chemotherapy drugs eventually kill the cancer cells sparing the CSCs, and after some time they can cause full-blown tumors with a high potential for metastasis. These drugs mainly use synthetic compounds.
Therefore, it is an urgent task to secure natural substances that can have both anticancer and anticancer stem cell activities while additionally having no or minimal impact on normal cell populations.”
Review of research published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology12 It not only reflects these findings, but also explains in more detail how garlic protects against the harsh side effects of existing cancer treatments. The researchers noted that garlic may help protect the liver from arsenic trioxide, a drug used in leukemia patients, and tamoxifen, a drug used in breast cancer patients.
What else can garlic do for your health?
Garlic belongs to the allium plant family along with chives, onions, and chives.13 In addition to allicin and other sulfur compounds and metabolites, this herb is rich in bioactive compounds such as organosulfides, saponins, phenolics, and polysaccharides. It also contains high levels of phosphorus, potassium and zinc.14
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, also recognized the health value of garlic and prescribed it not only as a cleansing agent, but also used it to treat abdominal and uterine growths and uterine problems.15
In fact, adding more garlic to your diet can provide you with countless benefits. For an in-depth review, you can read my article “9 Health Benefits of Garlic.” But here's a rundown of what this herb can do for you in addition to helping you: Protect yourself from cancer:
Inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria — Allicin acts as a disinfectant and can help eliminate yeast and molds such as Cryptococcus trichophyton, Candida albicans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Cryptococcus neoformans.16 Its antibacterial properties may be beneficial against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, Shigella, and Klebsiella strains.17 |
Reduces risk of metabolic syndrome — 2018 study18 Consuming at least 100 mg of crushed raw garlic twice a day for four weeks may help reduce metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and fasting blood sugar. |
Strengthen your immunity — research19 We found that aged garlic extract helps prevent endothelial dysfunction, a sign of early atherosclerosis, by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). |
Minimize inflammation — Aged garlic provides compounds that regulate the production of cytokines involved in the immune system and inflammatory response.20 |
Promotes cardiovascular health — Its properties may work synergistically to protect against heart-related events, such as heart attack. According to a review published in Antioxidants:21
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Anti-diabetic effect — research22 Consuming herbal preparations containing garlic has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels. Study participants received 750 mg of the herbal preparation three times a day for 12 weeks. |
Supports bone and skin health — Garlic may help relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.23 It may also help with warts, denture stomatitis, and venous ulcers.24 During World War II, soldiers applied garlic to wounds as a first aid to prevent infection.25 |
Have you tried black garlic?
The best way to enjoy fresh garlic is to eat it raw. To promote allicin formation, cloves must be crushed or chopped. Compress the cloves with a spoon or chop them into small pieces before swallowing.
However, not everyone enjoys the strong taste of garlic, and some find its scent a bit unpleasant. This is especially true when garlic remains in your breath. You can get rid of “garlic breath” by chewing a few slices of mint leaves, lettuce, or raw apple.26
If you really don't like it, try aged black garlic. It is made by fermenting whole fresh garlic bulbs in climate-controlled conditions for several weeks. A study published in the journal Molecular describes it as having “a sweet and sour taste and no strong odor.”27 I think even people who hate raw garlic might like this product.
Aged Black Garlic May Help Protect Brain Health
Animal study published in the journal Nutrients28 found that aged garlic extract (AGE) may help improve short-term recognition memory and alleviate neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease. According to researchers:
“Pretreatment with AGEs alleviated Aβ(1-42)-induced recognition memory impairment associated with short-term memory in mice by reducing the density of CD11b-positive microglial immunoreactivity and the density of IL-1β in the injured brain. “It has been suggested that AGE may be a good supplement for improving cognitive function in elderly people and patients with Alzheimer’s disease.”
They identified the SAC compound as one of the main contributors to the brain-boosting effects of aged garlic, with this compound found in higher amounts in aged and black garlic compared to fresh garlic. The study authors also noted other ways aged garlic may protect the brain.29
- Protects against neurodegenerative diseases
- Prevention of brain damage due to ischemia
- Protects nerve cells from apoptosis
- Prevention of oxidative death caused by β-amyloid
If you really want to lower your cancer risk, you need to fix this problem first
Remember that reducing your risk of cancer isn't just about one nutrient. Even if you consume a lot of garlic or use black garlic extract, you can still get this disease if you fail to take care of your cellular health.
Almost all major diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and obesity, are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, which results in the inability of cells to produce energy. Without sufficient cellular energy, the body cannot fuel the innate repair and regenerative processes that are essential for disease prevention and recovery.
While there are many factors that can compromise cellular integrity and function, I believe there are four main causes that can seriously impact mitochondrial energy production. namely excessive linoleic acid intake, high estrogen levels, endotoxin production, and chronic exposure to electromagnetic waves. Frequency (EMF) and 5G technology.
I believe that addressing these four factors will help restore mitochondrial function and optimize cellular energy production and is an important first step in preventing chronic diseases, including not only cancer but virtually all chronic diseases plaguing the world today. . My new book, due out this summer, will explain these causes in more detail and cover the best strategies for improving cellular energy, so stay tuned.
