Phytochemical Allicin, the Natural Anti Hyper Cholesterol Bioactive Compound

By Kyle J. Norton

Allicin, the bioactive ingredient isolated from garlic may have a profound effect on the prevention and treatment of high blood cholesterol with no side effects, according to studies.

Allicin is phytochemical containing sulfur in the class of organosulfur compound, found abundantly in onion and garlic.

Hyperlipidemia is a condition characterized by abnormally high blood cholesterol in the bloodstream. In other words, the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are high compared to the high-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood.

The ideal blood cholesterol is less than 4 (levels of LDL)/ 1(levels of HDL).

Low-density lipoprotein is needed for our body to build cell walls, make hormones and vitamin D, and create bile salts that help you digest fat. However, overexpression of LDL can induce plaque accumulated on the arterial wall, leading to atherosclerosis, a major cause of cardiovascular disease.

Low-density lipoprotein is produced by the liver or from the dietary sources. High-density lipoprotein neutralizes the levels LDL by returning them to the liver.

Some researchers suggested that Diet high in trans fats, saturated fat, sugar, smoking, medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are associated with the increased risk of high blood cholesterol.

Epidemiological studies indicated a healthy diet that contains a high amount of fruits and vegetables and whole grain have a positive on blood cholesterol. In other words, hyperlipidemia can be prevented by a healthy diet.

Dr. Heather D. Mann, in the discussion of a healthy in the risk of hyperlipidemia, said, " Dietary modification is effective in achieving and maintaining improved serum lipid levels".

The finding clearly suggested that if you follow the diet with a high in saturated and trans fat, red meat and processed food and low in fruits and vegetables and whole grain, you are at the increased risk of high blood cholesterol.

High blood cholesterol does not cause symptoms, the American Heart Association recommends that all adults have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years, starting at age 20, the age when cholesterol levels start to go up.

In the study of the effect of allicin on hypercholesterolemia in male ICR mice, the chemical constituent of garlic showed a positive effect not in reducing blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels, as well as lowering the hepatic cholesterol storage, but also decreasing appetite daily.

 Other in the study of the same but with rat fed with high cholesterol diet, showed a reduction of blood cholesterol, triglycerides levels and systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic rats. These result showed that allicin may be considered as a potent agent in treating hyper cholesterol in the future.

On finding a natural ingredient for the prevention and treatment of high blood cholesterol, a widespread syndrome found in the Western world, researchers investigated the cholesterol-lowering properties of allicin, a bioactive compound isolated from garlic.

Hypercholesterolemia in male ICR mice selected for the study was given allicin, with doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg body weight was given orally daily for 12 weeks.

After week 12, the body weights of allicin-fed mice were less than those of control mice on a high-cholesterol diet by 38.24 ± 7.94% (P < 0.0001) with 5 mg/kg allicin, 39.28 ± 5.03% (P < 0.0001) with 10 mg/kg allicin, and 41.18 ± 5.00% (P < 0.0001) with 20 mg/kg allicin, respectively.

Allicin fed group also showed the most decrease in daily food consumption compared to control.

Furthermore, allicin showed a strong effect in reducing blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels and caused a significant decrease in lowering hepatic cholesterol storage.

These results suggested that allicin is a potential value in a cholesterol-lowering candidate, and may be used for the protection against the onset of atherosclerosis.

Moreover, in the evaluation of the effect of Lichtwer garlic powder (containing 1.3% alliin equivalent to 0.6% allicin) on the serum cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, protein, and systolic blood pressure in rats fed with a 2% high cholesterol diet with and without garlic powder for 6 weeks, and control rats were fed a normal diet researchers found that

* Rats fed with a high cholesterol diet mixed with garlic powder demonstrate a significant reduction in their serum cholesterol levels compared to the control group.

* Serum triglyceride levels were also significantly lowered by garlic powder when compared to control and high cholesterol diet group rats.

* The blood pressure of the high cholesterol diet animals was significantly higher compared to the animals receiving the control diet.

* The blood pressure of the animals receiving garlic powder and high cholesterol diet was significantly lower as compared to the high cholesterol and control diet group.

Once again, garlic with high amounts of allicin is beneficial in reducing blood cholesterol, triglycerides levels and systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Taken altogether, allicin on the garlic may be used daily for the prevention or treatment of high blood cholesterol with no side effects

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Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

References
(1) Cholesterol-lowering effect of allicin on hypercholesterolemic ICR mice, Lu Y, He Z, Shen X, Xu X, Fan J, Wu S, Zhang D.(PubMed)
(2) Effect of allicin from garlic powder on serum lipids and blood pressure in rats fed with a high cholesterol diet by Ali M, Al-Qattan KK, Al-Enezi F, Khanafer RM, Mustafa T.(PubMed)
(3) Diet Modification for Hyperlipidemia. Individual approach to diet planning and education by Heather D. Mann and Pamela Piotrowski. (PMC)