by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: I have heart disease and I underwent bypass surgery four years ago. I keep my weight down with an appropriate diet and regular exercise. Can I take garlic instead of the prescription medications to lower my cholesterol and blood pressure? I ask because I have some side effects that I dont like from the medications.
A: Studies to date have shown only very mild decreases in blood pressure and cholesterol by using garlic(known botanically as Allium sativum). These decreases are not enough to warrant using garlic in place of medications to control these heart disease risk factors. Particularly once you have been diagnosed with heart disease, it is extremely important to control cardiac risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Making the lifestyle adjustments that you describe, including changes in dietary intake, physical activity, and stress reduction through practices such as yoga or tai chi, are extremely important, but so too is taking medications to lower your LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). The goal is to bring LDL levels below 100 mg/dL, and preferably below 80 mg/dL when you have heart disease, and to keep your blood pressure under control.
It may be reasonable to take garlic along with your medication, working closely with your doctor. In some cases, your doctor may be able to lower the dose of your medication somewhat. The amount of garlic for this use is 5 to 10 minced raw cloves per day or 300 mg of dried extract three times per day.
Garlic should be used with caution because it has blood-thinning properties. There are reports of negative interactions with a medication called warfarin (Coumadin), which is intended to thin the blood after a blood clot or, in certain instances, after a heart attack. Therefore, garlic should not be used with warfarin unless under strict supervision by your doctor. Similarly, if you take aspirin or vitamin E, both of which thin your blood, you should discuss the safety of using garlic with your doctor.
Q: I have heart disease and I underwent bypass surgery four years ago. I keep my weight down with an appropriate diet and regular exercise. Can I take garlic instead of the prescription medications to lower my cholesterol and blood pressure? I ask because I have some side effects that I dont like from the medications.
A: Studies to date have shown only very mild decreases in blood pressure and cholesterol by using garlic(known botanically as Allium sativum). These decreases are not enough to warrant using garlic in place of medications to control these heart disease risk factors. Particularly once you have been diagnosed with heart disease, it is extremely important to control cardiac risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Making the lifestyle adjustments that you describe, including changes in dietary intake, physical activity, and stress reduction through practices such as yoga or tai chi, are extremely important, but so too is taking medications to lower your LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). The goal is to bring LDL levels below 100 mg/dL, and preferably below 80 mg/dL when you have heart disease, and to keep your blood pressure under control.
It may be reasonable to take garlic along with your medication, working closely with your doctor. In some cases, your doctor may be able to lower the dose of your medication somewhat. The amount of garlic for this use is 5 to 10 minced raw cloves per day or 300 mg of dried extract three times per day.
Garlic should be used with caution because it has blood-thinning properties. There are reports of negative interactions with a medication called warfarin (Coumadin), which is intended to thin the blood after a blood clot or, in certain instances, after a heart attack. Therefore, garlic should not be used with warfarin unless under strict supervision by your doctor. Similarly, if you take aspirin or vitamin E, both of which thin your blood, you should discuss the safety of using garlic with your doctor.