Unsavory Breath: The Power of Garlic

We live in a day of zombies, werewolves, and vampires. They’re great fun on TV and in movies, but we all know they’re just pretend, right? Really, aren’t you glad you don’t have to worry about carrying a silver spike, a cross, and a garland of garlic around for protection, just in case? What if I were to tell you there really are vampires? Well tiny, little vampires that really do want to suck your blood. These little vampires are better known as mosquitoes, and garlic does actually repel them.

Garlic does much more than this, so let’s take a closer look at this odiferous food. Garlic is a root that’s actually a member of the lily family, and is often humorously called “the stinking rose” for obvious reasons. The characteristic odor is from sulfur compounds contained within it. I recently read of a new garlic weight loss diet. You don’t lose much weight, but from a safe distance your friends say they think you look thinner. Oh yeah, it’s also excellent for birth control for the same reasons.

There are whole books written on the proven benefits of garlic, so let’s take a quick look at just a few.

1 – Garlic is very effective in providing protection from an array of foreign microbes. It’s antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-Candida, anti-parasite, and as mentioned, anti-social. It’s effective in fighting infection in all but severe cases, and it can be used preventively or in the treatment of active cases.

2 – Garlic is extremely beneficial for the entire cardiovascular system. It lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, in the process reducing the formation of plaque in the vessels and lowering blood pressure naturally. Garlic also helps to maintain the elasticity and flexibility of the arteries. It has blood thinning and anti-clotting properties that are helpful in preventing heart attacks and strokes.

3 – Garlic is a powerful antioxidant that aggressively combats the damaging effect of free-radicals. This is important in combating many diseases as it slows oxidative stress and reduces the effects of the aging process.

4 – The research evidence is growing that regular intake of garlic has been found to lower the risk of many forms of cancer, and it is particularly effective against colon and kidney cancer. Major research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York has confirmed that garlic shrinks tumors by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and seems to be helpful in both prevention and treatment.

5 – Garlic is touted as an excellent weapon in the weight loss battle. It helps to regulate the formation of fat cells through a number of its natural properties, particularly its anti-inflammatory quality. Of course, as good as garlic is, it cannot erase a regular intake of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and Cheetos.

6 – Garlic has been shown to help diabetics by increasing the release of insulin and regulating blood sugar levels. Additionally, it is very helpful in diminishing many of the other health complications that diabetics routinely experience.

7 – Garlic is extremely helpful in detoxifying not only the digestive system, but also the lungs. It also triggers the liver to release toxins from the body.

A manuscript from the Solerno School of Medicine in 12^th century Italy states, “Since garlic then hath powers to save from death, bear with it though it makes unsavory breath.”